by our College Data Analytics TeamWith all of the graduate school options in the Southwest Region, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights 546 graduate schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 546 graduate schools using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Want to compare schools head to head? Check out College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Learn more about these excellent graduate schools below:
No school ranked higher than Rice University this year in the Southwest Region. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $75,299. The median student debt is $11,904.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston came in at #2 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in the Southwest Region. Based in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,748, with out-of-state students paying around $43,132. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $101,165. Graduates carry a median of $21,988 in student loans.
Out of the 546 graduate schools in the Southwest Region in this year's ranking, The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #3 spot. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates report median early-career earnings of $57,819. The median student debt is $21,275.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas Medical Branch one of the top graduate schools in the Southwest Region. This public school is set in Galveston, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $12,402, while out-of-state students pay about $28,011. Median early-career earnings reach $79,793. The median student debt is $23,250.
You'll be in good company at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #5 this year. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $64,891. Texas A And M University College Station students take on a median of $20,031 in debt.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,214, with out-of-state students paying around $22,514. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $76,328. The median student debt is $24,889.
Southern Methodist University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Set in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Graduates go on to earn a median of $70,632 early in their careers. The median student debt is $20,712.
Texas Christian University landed the #8 spot in the Southwest Region this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Texas Christian University graduates report median early-career earnings of $60,035. Typical student debt is $22,960.
The University Of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center landed the #9 spot in the Southwest Region this year. The University Of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center is a public school based in Houston, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,511, with out-of-state students paying around $23,731. Median early-career earnings reach $79,657. The University Of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center students take on a median of $20,667 in debt.
Baylor University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,888. Typical student debt is $23,928.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio placed #11 among the best graduate schools in the Southwest Region. This public school is set in San Antonio, TX. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,776 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $89,151. Graduates carry a median of $20,247 in student loans.
Midwestern University Glendale placed #12 among the best graduate schools in the Southwest Region. Midwestern University Glendale is a private not-for-profit school based in Glendale, AZ. Median early-career earnings reach $98,281.
The University Of Texas At Dallas did well this year, earning the #13 position. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public school based in Richardson, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,507. Typical student debt is $20,531.
Trinity University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Located in San Antonio, TX, Trinity University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $53,676. Median early-career earnings reach $57,496. Trinity University students take on a median of $23,314 in debt.
University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center placed #15 among the best graduate schools in the Southwest Region. University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is a public school based in Dallas, TX. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $76,007.
Arizona State University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. About 68% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Median early-career earnings reach $55,876. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete a degree here.
West Coast University Los Angeles came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Richardson, TX. Roughly 31% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,854. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $92,600. Graduates carry a median of $37,140 in student loans.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,084. The median student debt is $23,138.
University Of Arizona did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,834. The median student debt is $21,861.
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,332. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans.
University Of Houston came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Set in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $57,529. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete a degree here.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public school based in Arlington, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates report median early-career earnings of $55,304. Typical student debt is $21,632.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in El Paso, TX, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,050, compared with $27,170 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $73,235. Typical student debt is $25,000.
University Of Tulsa came in at #24 in this year's ranking. University Of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit school based in Tulsa, OK. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,546. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $62,482. Graduates carry a median of $23,638 in student loans.
University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Oklahoma City, OK, University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,925, while out-of-state students pay about $25,714. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $81,828. Graduates carry a median of $22,613 in student loans.
Not far behind, these graduate schools also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
Click any graduate school name below to learn more:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 76 | Chandler Gilbert Community College | Chandler, AZ |
| 77 | Texas A And M University Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi, TX |
| 78 | University Of New Mexico Main Campus | Albuquerque, NM |
| 79 | University Of The Incarnate Word | San Antonio, TX |
| 80 | Texas A And M University Commerce | Commerce, TX |
| 81 | Southwestern Oklahoma State University | Weatherford, OK |
| 82 | Austin College | Sherman, TX |
These graduate schools also performed well in our Best Graduate Schools ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 108 | East Texas Baptist University | Marshall, TX |
| 109 | Lone Star College System | The Woodlands, TX |
| 110 | Galen Health Institutes Austin Campus | Round Rock, TX |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2027 edition. Graduate schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
