Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Colleges for Geography (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

19 Ranked Colleges
548 Degrees Awarded
$10,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Geography is the 144th most popular major in the country with 5,476 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Southwest region, there were 548 geography graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geography. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geography programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geography program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Geography Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Geography (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

#1

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central New Mexico Community College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 1 ’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CNM, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CNM is $2,604 for southwest region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Geography at Central New Mexico Community College

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Texas. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school handed out 59 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2019-2020.

UNT also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Texas is $8,521 for Southwest Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Geography at University of North Texas

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #3 spot on the list. Texas A&M University - College Station is a large public school situated in College Station, Texas. It awarded 29 ’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M College Station, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $11,454 for Southwest Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas A&M University - College Station.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography at Texas A&M University - College Station

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Arizona State University - Tempe. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. ASU - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 47 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

ASU - Tempe also took the #6 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $7,044 for southwest region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Geography at ASU - Tempe

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at San Antonio. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a large school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 25 ’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $10,516 for southwest region geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Read more about Geography at The University of Texas at San Antonio

The University of Texas at Austin came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 70 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Austin has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,203 for Southwest Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Austin.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UT Austin Geography Report

#7

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Texas Tech University is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech University is $12,317 for Southwest Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geography at Texas Tech University

#8

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. University of Arizona is located in Tucson, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

University of Arizona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arizona is $10,562 for southwest region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Arizona Geography Report

#9

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Marcos, Texas, this large public school awarded 43 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2019-2020.

Texas State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas State is $11,125 for southwest region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Geography at Texas State University

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Stillwater, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

OSU also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is $8,669 for southwest region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Geography at OSU

#11

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. ASU - Skysong is a large school located in Scottsdale, Arizona that handed out 91 ’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Skysong, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,037 for Southwest Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Arizona State University - Skysong.

Read more about Geography at Arizona State University - Skysong

University of Houston - Clear Lake did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. University of Houston - Clear Lake is a medium-sized school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 2 ’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

UH Clear Lake also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for University of Houston - Clear Lake is $4,517 for southwest region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Geography at UH Clear Lake

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stephen F Austin State University is a fairly large public school situated in Nacogdoches, Texas. It awarded 7 ’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

SFASU also made our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend SFASU is $8,650 for Southwest Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Geography at Stephen F Austin State University

#13

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, and it awarded 8 ’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $9,251 for Southwest Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northern Arizona University.

Read full report on Geography at Northern Arizona University

#14

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Huntsville, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, SHSU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sam Houston State University is $10,561 for Southwest Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SHSU Geography Report

New Mexico State University - Main Campus landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico that handed out 15 ’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus also took the #20 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $6,896 for Southwest Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend New Mexico State University - Main Campus.

Read full report on Geography at New Mexico State University - Main Campus

With a ranking of #16, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this large public school awarded 21 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is $16,675 for Southwest Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Geography at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

University of Central Oklahoma came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCO is located in Edmond, Oklahoma and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region geography students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCO has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Oklahoma is $12,297 for Southwest Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UCO Geography Report

#18

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNM is a large school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 29 ’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNM, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNM is $13,242 for southwest region geography students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Geography at UNM

#19

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Christian University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Texas Christian University is a fairly large school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 7 ’s geography degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TCU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geography Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $21,286 for Southwest Region Geography students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend TCU.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geography at TCU

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Couleur.

Featured Geography Schools

Find Schools Near You