2023 Best Value Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
There are so many teaching programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
The Best Value Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region ranking is one of many tools that Teaching Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 80 schools in the Southwest Region to see which programs offered the best value experiences for teaching students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Santa Fe Community College to be the best value school for teaching students in the Southwest Region . Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the small public school handed out 142 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SFCC are $4,995 per year. On average, students take out $19,196 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, SFCC graduates make an average of $40,512 annually.
SFCC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region list.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Pima Community College is a great place for teaching students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Located in Tucson, Arizona, the fairly large public school handed out 85 degrees in 2020-2021.
Pima County Community College District undergraduate students pay an average of $7,566 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,657 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Pima County Community College District graduates make an average of $34,116 annually.
In addition to its great value ranking, Pima County Community College District is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Central New Mexico Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region list. CNM is a public institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 334 degrees in 2020-2021.
CNM undergraduate students pay an average of $7,540 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $13,850 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from CNM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,582 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means MSU Texas is a great place for teaching students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. MSU Texas is a medium-sized public school located in Wichita Falls, Texas that handed out 71 degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU Texas undergraduate students pay an average of $11,726 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $26,931 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $193, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, MSU Texas graduates make an average of $44,328 annually.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Arizona State University - Skysong is a great place for teaching students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. ASU - Skysong is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,843 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ASU - Skysong are $13,092 per year. On average, students take out $25,869 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $304 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from ASU - Skysong, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,067 during the early years of their career.
Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. ENMU - Main Campus is a public institution located in Portales, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 209 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ENMU - Main Campus are $8,568 per year. On average, students take out $19,483 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, ENMU - Main Campus graduates make an average of $41,884 annually.
Grand Canyon University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution located in Phoenix, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,205 degrees in 2020-2021.
Grand Canyon University undergraduate students pay an average of $17,189 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,746 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $174, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Grand Canyon University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,396 during the early year of their career.
Ottawa University - Phoenix ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region list. Ottawa University - Phoenix is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 55 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Ottawa University - Phoenix are $13,281 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $31,724 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Ottawa University - Phoenix graduates make an average of $48,260 annually.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Durant, Oklahoma. It awarded 485 degrees in 2020-2021.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University undergraduate students pay an average of $15,870 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,420 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Southeastern Oklahoma State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,234 during the early year of their career.
Lubbock Christian University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #10 on the list. Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Lubbock, Texas that handed out 68 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LCU are $24,900 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $29,138 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $102.After graduating from LCU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,006 during the early years of their career.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #11 on the list. UT Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 573 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UT Rio Grande Valley are $19,333 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,544 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, UT Rio Grande Valley graduates make an average of $42,119 annually.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UT Rio Grande Valley also is in the top 15% of our Best Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #12 on the list. NWOSU is a small public school situated in Alva, Oklahoma. It awarded 66 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NWOSU are $15,001 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,625 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from NWOSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,757 during the early years of their career.
Angelo State University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Angelo State University is a fairly large public school located in San Angelo, Texas that handed out 227 degrees in 2020-2021.
Angelo State undergraduate students pay an average of $17,978 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,977 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $111 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Angelo State graduates make an average of $43,221 annually.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Located in Waxahachie, Texas, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 46 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southwestern Assemblies of God University are $17,404 a year. On average, students take out $29,097 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $285. During the early years of their career, Southwestern Assemblies of God University graduates make an average of $36,476 annually.
Southern Nazarene University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Southern Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Bethany, Oklahoma that handed out 96 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SNU are $27,000 per year. On average, students take out $28,470 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SNU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,687 during the early year of their career.
Northeastern State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #16 on the list. Tahlequah, Oklahoma is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 299 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NSU are $15,755 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $25,435 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, NSU graduates make an average of $41,444 annually.
Texas A&M International University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Laredo, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 183 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Texas A&M International University are $19,358 a year. On average, students take out $17,842 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Texas A&M International University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,840 during the early year of their career.
University of Phoenix - Arizona ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region list. UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,725 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UOPX - Arizona are $9,552 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,058 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $146. Once they receive their degree, UOPX - Arizona graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,608 during the early year of their career.
New Mexico Highlands University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region list. New Mexico Highlands University is located in Las Vegas, New Mexico and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 242 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at New Mexico Highlands University are $11,532 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,905 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, New Mexico Highlands University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,927 during the early year of their career.
East Central University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #20 on the list. Ada, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 142 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ECU are $16,555 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $22,763 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, ECU graduates make an average of $37,464 annually.
Lamar University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Beaumont, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,560 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lamar University are $18,482 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,227 in student loans.After graduating from Lamar University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,498 during the early years of their career.
Trinity University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 47 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Trinity U are $47,392 a year. On average, students take out $20,545 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Trinity U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,034 during the early years of their career.
Trinity U did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region list.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. SFASU is located in Nacogdoches, Texas and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 187 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SFASU are $21,616 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,071 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $248 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SFASU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,354 during the early years of their career.
Houston Baptist University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Located in Houston, Texas, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 127 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at HBU are $35,500 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,050 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $473.After graduating from HBU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,485 during the early years of their career.
University of North Texas came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Denton, Texas, the large public school awarded 511 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UNT are $20,906 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $22,773 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $236, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UNT, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,493 during the early years of their career.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
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%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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