2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Southwest Region
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $51,938. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar University earned it the #3 place for value. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Value graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Rio Salado College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,679. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Tyler Junior College one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,869. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #6 for value in value this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,500. Value graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,385 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #8 among the best values for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Value graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,632. Early-career value graduates make about $64,946. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #10 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $45,656. Value graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $60,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $45,656 median debt.
University Of Houston placed #11 among the best values for value. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Value graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Arizona State University landed the #12 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,985. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University placed #13 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #14 among the best values for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,548. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
Rogers State University came in at #15 for value in value this year. Located in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,936. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Rogers State University generally make around $45,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,738. Early-career value graduates make about $61,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $51,252. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Texas came in at #18 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Value graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $55,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University placed #19 among the best values for value. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $46,365. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona landed the #20 spot for value value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $44,518. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #21 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Value graduates carry a median of $17,961 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $46,992. That is a strong return on a $17,961 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #22 among the best values for value. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,418. Early-career value graduates make about $55,855. Set against $27,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Southern University landed the #23 spot for value value this year. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Students borrow a median of $35,330 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $52,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University placed #24 among the best values for value. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,271. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #25 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,321. Early-career value graduates make about $44,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Value Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for value this year:
Narrow Value Schools by State
View All Value Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
