2027 Best Value Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in the Southwest Region

[Interdisciplinary Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/interdisciplinary-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong interdisciplinary studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for interdisciplinary studies students.
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2027 Best Value Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in interdisciplinary studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Interdisciplinary Studies Schools
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #1 spot for value among interdisciplinary studies schools in the Southwest Region. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $14,694. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value interdisciplinary studies schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the interdisciplinary studies program here. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $42,029. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Victoria College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,976, while out-of-state students pay about $5,328. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $7,829. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Victoria College earn a median of $32,276 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,829 median debt.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value interdisciplinary studies schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,779, with out-of-state students paying around $9,564. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $18,726. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earn a median of $45,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value interdisciplinary studies schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
East Central University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value interdisciplinary studies schools. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Students borrow a median of $21,840 to complete the interdisciplinary studies program here. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of East Central University earn a median of $42,103 early in their careers. Set against $21,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #7 for value in interdisciplinary studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $23,925. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $46,298 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wiley College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value interdisciplinary studies schools. Set in the town of Marshall, Wiley College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,500 in tuition and fees. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Wiley College earn a median of $24,629 early in their careers. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston came in at #9 for value in interdisciplinary studies this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Northern Arizona University came in at #10 for value in interdisciplinary studies this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $26,899 in student loans. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $32,452. That is a strong return on a $26,899 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value interdisciplinary studies schools. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $24,759. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $42,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value interdisciplinary studies schools. Located in the town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,774, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee generally make around $26,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value interdisciplinary studies schools. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, compared with $8,499 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,795 to complete the interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Southwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $57,280. Set against $20,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #14 for value in interdisciplinary studies this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $46,614. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #15 spot for interdisciplinary studies value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the interdisciplinary studies program here. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $48,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #16 for value in interdisciplinary studies this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $39,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in interdisciplinary studies this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $22,337. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $50,993. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Mid America Christian University placed #18 among the best values for interdisciplinary studies. Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $21,294 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $37,852 to complete the interdisciplinary studies program here. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $43,010. That is a strong return on a $37,852 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of St Thomas Texas placed #19 among the best values for interdisciplinary studies. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,634. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $23,628. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
West Texas A And M University came in at #20 for value in interdisciplinary studies this year. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $22,333. Soon after graduation, interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Hardin Simmons University landed the #21 spot for interdisciplinary studies value this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,960. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $26,674 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Hardin Simmons University generally make around $50,478. That is a strong return on a $26,674 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Baptist University earned the #22 position for value in interdisciplinary studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,430. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $31,000. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $57,088. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona Christian University earned the #23 position for value in interdisciplinary studies this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Arizona Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,098. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Arizona Christian University earn a median of $40,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Baylor University earned the #24 position for value in interdisciplinary studies this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $30,687. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.