2027 Best Value Science Technologies / Technicians Schools in the Southwest Region
[Science Technologies / Technicians](/majors/science-technologies-technicians/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for science technologies / technicians students.
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2027 Best Value Science Technologies / Technicians Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in science technologies / technicians, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Science Technologies / Technicians Schools
For return on investment in science technologies / technicians, no school beat College Of The Mainland this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $10,500. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $49,694. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in science technologies / technicians will find it at Del Mar College, which ranked #2. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $7,000. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $56,948. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar State College Orange earned it the #3 place for science technologies / technicians. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $49,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in science technologies / technicians will find it at Lamar State College Port Arthur, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,770 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $33,385. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $78,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in science technologies / technicians will find it at Victoria College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,976, while out-of-state students pay about $5,328. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $10,910. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $50,201. That is a strong return on a $10,910 median debt.
Brazosport College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value science technologies / technicians schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Pima Community College placed #7 among the best values for science technologies / technicians. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #8 for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $16,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $45,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kilgore College earned the #9 position for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kilgore. In-state tuition and fees average $2,160, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $17,208. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $68,335. Set against $17,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District landed the #10 spot for science technologies / technicians value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $14,519. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College placed #11 among the best values for science technologies / technicians. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Students borrow a median of $9,598 to complete the science technologies / technicians program here. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $94,986. That is a strong return on a $9,598 median debt.
Houston Community College came in at #12 for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $21,740. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $60,612 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,740 median debt.
Alvin Community College came in at #13 for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $7,801. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $53,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern New Mexico College landed the #14 spot for science technologies / technicians value this year. Set in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,064 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,328 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.
Collin County Community College District came in at #15 for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the science technologies / technicians program here. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blinn College placed #16 among the best values for science technologies / technicians. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the science technologies / technicians program here. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Lone Star College System earned the #17 position for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $53,976 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #18 spot for science technologies / technicians value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the science technologies / technicians program here. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $59,496. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rose State College earned the #19 position for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,030 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $13,451. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Rose State College generally make around $50,860. That is a strong return on a $13,451 median debt.
Texas State Technical College landed the #20 spot for science technologies / technicians value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,212 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $11,959 in student loans. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $42,769. That is a strong return on a $11,959 median debt.
Lamar Institute Of Technology earned the #21 position for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,844, while out-of-state students pay about $12,924. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $15,500. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $42,539. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University placed #22 among the best values for science technologies / technicians. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $22,918. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $44,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value science technologies / technicians schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $28,312 to complete the science technologies / technicians program here. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $60,661 early in their careers. Set against $28,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #24 for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $24,875. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $48,334 early in their careers. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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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.
