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Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

105 Schools Ranked
$7,740 Avg Tuition & Fees*

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 105 schools in the Southwest Region to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

2,819 Total Awards

Our 2023 rankings named University of Phoenix - Arizona the best school in the Southwest Region for students working on their associate degree. UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit institution located in Phoenix, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,819 associate degrees in .

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#2

Central Texas College

Killeen, Texas
1,314 Total Awards

The excellent associate degree programs at Central Texas College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in the Southwest Region . Central Texas College is a public institution located in Killeen, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,314 associate degrees in .

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#3

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
7,645 Total Awards

The excellent associate degree programs at El Centro College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in the Southwest Region . This large public school is located in Dallas, Texas, and it awarded 7,645 associate degrees in .

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4,297 Total Awards
$3,514 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Collin County Community College District. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Collin County Community College District is a large public school situated in McKinney, Texas. It awarded 4,297 associate degrees in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Collin County Community College District is $3,514. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,614.

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#5

Rio Salado College

Tempe, Arizona
768 Total Awards
$2,358 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Rio Salado College is a great place for students working on their associate degree. Located in Tempe, Arizona, the fairly large public school handed out 768 associate degree awards in .

Students from Arizona who attend Rio Salado College full time pay an average of $2,358 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,958.

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#6

Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, Texas
96 Total Awards
$23,186 Average Tuition & Fees

Wayland Baptist University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Plainview, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 96 students in .

If you want to attend Wayland Baptist University, expect to pay an average of $23,186 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#7

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
3,511 Total Awards
$5,220 Average Tuition & Fees

South Texas College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs. Located in McAllen, Texas, the large public school handed out 3,511 associate degree awards in .

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#8

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
8,614 Total Awards

Lone Star College System came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. North Harris Montgomery is located in The Woodlands, Texas and has a large student population. In , this school awarded 8,614 associate degrees to qualified students.

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#9

Lee College

Baytown, Texas
1,142 Total Awards
$3,882 Average Tuition & Fees

Lee College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Baytown, Texas, and it awarded 1,142 associate degrees in .

Students from Texas who attend Lee College full time pay an average of $3,882 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,302.

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4,382 Total Awards
$8,580 Average Tuition & Fees

Austin Community College District came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Austin, Texas, the large public school handed out 4,382 associate degree awards in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Austin Community College District is $8,580. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,590.

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#11

Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, Texas
5,564 Total Awards

Tarrant County College District came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, the large public school handed out 5,564 associate degree awards in .

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1,185 Total Awards
$4,200 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, McLennan Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree. Waco, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,185 students in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MCC is $4,200. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,910.

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#13

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona
1,569 Total Awards
$2,358 Average Tuition & Fees

Mesa Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs. Located in Mesa, Arizona, the fairly large public school awarded 1,569 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in .

Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,358 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Mesa Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,959.

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986 Total Awards
$2,358 Average Tuition & Fees

Chandler-Gilbert Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs. This fairly large public school is located in Chandler, Arizona, and it awarded 986 associate degrees in .

Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,358 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,959.

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#15

DeVry University - Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona
9 Total Awards
$15,032 Average Tuition & Fees

DeVry University - Arizona did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. DeVry University - Arizona is located in Phoenix, Arizona and has a very small student population. In , this school awarded 9 associate degrees to qualified students.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $15,032 to cover tuition and fees at DeVry University - Arizona. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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#16

Panola College

Carthage, Texas
377 Total Awards
$3,960 Average Tuition & Fees

Panola College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Carthage, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 377 students in .

In-state students pay an average of $3,960 in tuition and fees if they attend Panola College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,064.

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#17

Weatherford College

Weatherford, Texas
812 Total Awards
$7,110 Average Tuition & Fees

Weatherford College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Weatherford, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 812 associate degree awards in .

Students from Texas who attend Weatherford College full time pay an average of $7,110 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,630.

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#18

University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, Texas
10 Total Awards
$35,660 Average Tuition & Fees

University of the Incarnate Word did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 10 students in .

If you want to attend UIW, expect to pay an average of $35,660 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid.

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#19

Midland College

Midland, Texas
503 Total Awards
$4,770 Average Tuition & Fees

Midland College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Midland College is a public institution located in Midland, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 503 associate degrees in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Midland College is $4,770. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,030.

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#20

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
1,593 Total Awards
$4,059 Average Tuition & Fees

Oklahoma City Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Oklahoma City Community College is a fairly large public school located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that handed out 1,593 associate degrees in .

In-state students pay an average of $4,059 in tuition and fees if they attend OCCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,810.

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#21

Northwest Vista College

San Antonio, Texas
2,335 Total Awards
$6,892 Average Tuition & Fees

Northwest Vista College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Northwest Vista College is a fairly large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 2,335 associate degrees in .

Students from Texas who attend Northwest Vista College full time pay an average of $6,892 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $14,422.

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#22

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas
2,231 Total Awards
$6,892 Average Tuition & Fees

San Antonio College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. San Antonio College is a fairly large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 2,231 associate degrees in .

Students from Texas who attend San Antonio College full time pay an average of $6,892 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,422.

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#23

Scottsdale Community College

Scottsdale, Arizona
614 Total Awards
$2,358 Average Tuition & Fees

Scottsdale Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it awarded 614 associate degrees in .

In-state students pay an average of $2,358 in tuition and fees if they attend Scottsdale Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,959.

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#24

Hallmark University

San Antonio, Texas
128 Total Awards

Hallmark University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Hallmark is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 128 associate degrees in .

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#25

North Central Texas College

Gainesville, Texas
1,115 Total Awards
$4,680 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #25, North Central Texas College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Gainesville, Texas, and it awarded 1,115 associate degrees in .

In-state students pay an average of $4,680 in tuition and fees if they attend NCTC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,200.

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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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