Find Affordable College Courses

What Do You Want to Study?

Best Master's Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

2023 Best Master's Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

83 Schools Ranked

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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Master's Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This report analyzed 83 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones offered the best master's degree programs 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 Master's Degree Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas
1,422 Total Awards
$54,462 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Rice University to be the best school for students who want to pursue a master’s degree in the Southwest Region . This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 1,422 master’s degrees in .

Online graduate courses are available at Rice, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 19% of graduates took at least one course online in 2022-2023.

Read full report on Rice University

Request Information
3,390 Total Awards

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means The University of Texas at Austin is a great place for students working on their master’s degree. The University of Texas at Austin is a large public school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 3,390 master’s degrees in .

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at UT Austin. In fact, around 8% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2022-2023.

Read full report on The University of Texas at Austin

Request Information
#3

Trinity University

San Antonio, Texas
99 Total Awards

Out of the 83 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Trinity University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in San Antonio, Texas, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 99 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in .

One thing to take note of is that Trinity U does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In 2022-2023 about 8% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

Request Information
#4

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas
492 Total Awards
$35,778 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Texas Christian University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Texas Christian University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 492 master’s degrees in .

TCU does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2022-2023 year, about 24% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Texas Christian University Report

Request Information
#5

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
4,249 Total Awards
$11,093 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Texas A&M College Station is a public institution located in College Station, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,249 master’s degrees in .

Online graduate courses are available at Texas A&M College Station, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 26% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2022-2023.

Read More…

Request Information
1,904 Total Awards
$37,062 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Methodist University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best master’s degree programs. SMU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,904 master’s degrees in .

One thing to take note of is that SMU does offer online graduate classes in some areas. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 24% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

Request Information
#7

Texas Wesleyan University

Fort Worth, Texas
143 Total Awards
$19,408 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Texas Wesleyan University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their master’s degree. Texas Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 143 master’s degrees in .

Online graduate courses are available at Texas Wesleyan, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Texas Wesleyan University

Request Information
#8

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
1,346 Total Awards

Baylor University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Baylor is located in Waco, Texas and has a large student population. In , this school awarded 1,346 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Baylor. During the 2022-2023 year, about 54% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Baylor University

Request Information
#9

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
2,107 Total Awards
$9,518 Average Tuition & Fees

Texas Tech University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best master’s degree programs. Texas Tech is located in Lubbock, Texas and has a large student population. In , this school awarded 2,107 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Texas Tech. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

Request Information
#10

The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, Texas
3,724 Total Awards

The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best master’s degree programs. UT Dallas is located in Richardson, Texas and has a large student population. In , this school awarded 3,724 master’s degrees to qualified students.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UT Dallas. In fact, around 34% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2022-2023.

Read full report on The University of Texas at Dallas

Request Information
#11

University of Dallas

Irving, Texas
296 Total Awards

University of Dallas ranked #11 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. UD is located in Irving, Texas and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 296 master’s degrees to qualified students.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UD. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 67% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

Request Information
#12

Austin College

Sherman, Texas
15 Total Awards
$29,600 Average Tuition & Fees

Austin College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best master’s degree programs. Austin College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sherman, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 master’s degrees in .

Read More…

Request Information
#13

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
2,285 Total Awards
$9,749 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Houston landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best master’s degree programs. UH is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,285 master’s degrees in .

UH does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2022-2023 about 48% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

Request Information
#14

University of St. Thomas

Houston, Texas
393 Total Awards
$21,634 Average Tuition & Fees

University of St. Thomas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. UST is a private not-for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 393 master’s degrees in .

UST does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of St. Thomas Report

Request Information
#15

Abilene Christian University

Abilene, Texas
399 Total Awards

Abilene Christian University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best master’s degree programs. Abilene Christian is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Abilene, Texas. It awarded 399 master’s degrees in .

Abilene Christian does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

Request Information
1,040 Total Awards
$9,092 Average Tuition & Fees

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #16 on the list. OSU is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma and has a large student population. In , this school awarded 1,040 master’s degrees to qualified students.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since OSU does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. During the 2022-2023 year, about 42% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

Request Information
1,990 Total Awards
$8,443 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ranked #17 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Edinburg, Texas, the large public school handed out 1,990 master’s degree awards in .

One thing to take note of is that UT Rio Grande Valley does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of graduates took at least one course online in 2022-2023.

Read full report on The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Request Information
#18

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
6,287 Total Awards
$10,573 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #18, Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their master’s degree. Arizona State University - Skysong is a large public school located in Scottsdale, Arizona that handed out 6,287 master’s degrees in .

Since the graduate programs at ASU - Skysong are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Full Arizona State University - Skysong Report

Request Information
#19

Lubbock Christian University

Lubbock, Texas
81 Total Awards
$11,621 Average Tuition & Fees

Lubbock Christian University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Lubbock, Texas, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 81 master’s degree awards in .

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at LCU. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 36% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

Request Information
2,354 Total Awards
$9,082 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a large public school located in Norman, Oklahoma that handed out 2,354 master’s degrees in .

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at University of Oklahoma. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Report

Request Information
#21

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
273 Total Awards
$13,410 Average Tuition & Fees

Oklahoma City University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 273 students in .

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since OCU does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2022-2023 about 17% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Oklahoma City University Report

Request Information
#22

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
2,297 Total Awards
$14,389 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Arizona ranked #22 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. University of Arizona is a large public school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 2,297 master’s degrees in .

University of Arizona does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 40% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

Request Information
891 Total Awards
$9,468 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Houston - Clear Lake did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. UH Clear Lake is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 891 master’s degrees in .

Online graduate courses are available at UH Clear Lake, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 37% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

Request Information
#24

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
1,011 Total Awards
$8,954 Average Tuition & Fees

Sam Houston State University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best master’s degree programs. Sam Houston State University is a large public school located in Huntsville, Texas that handed out 1,011 master’s degrees in .

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SHSU does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2022-2023 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

Request Information
5,095 Total Awards
$10,853 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas at Arlington ranked #25 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. UT Arlington is a large public school situated in Arlington, Texas. It awarded 5,095 master’s degrees in .

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UT Arlington. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 56% of graduates took at least one course online in 2022-2023.

Full The University of Texas at Arlington Report

Request Information

View Best Master’s Degree Master’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

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.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.