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Best Schools in the Southwest Region

2023 Best Schools in the Southwest Region

178 Schools Ranked
$47,538 Average Earnings
$23,544 Avg Student Debt

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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Schools in the Southwest Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 178 schools in the Southwest Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

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

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas
2,924 Total Awards
$75,299 Average Earnings

Our analysis found Rice University to be the best school for students in the Southwest Region . Located in Houston, Texas, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 2,924 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Rice graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $75,299 during the early year of their career.

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17,518 Total Awards
$57,819 Average Earnings
$33,904 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means The University of Texas at Austin is a great place for students. This large public school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 17,518 degrees in .

Degree recipients from UT Austin accumulate an average of $33,904 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, UT Austin graduates make an average of $57,819 annually.

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#3

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas
3,411 Total Awards
$60,035 Average Earnings
$83,853 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Christian University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Schools in the Southwest Region list. Fort Worth, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 3,411 students in .

Degree recipients from TCU accumulate an average of $83,853 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, TCU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $60,035 during the early year of their career.

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#4

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
21,032 Total Awards
$64,891 Average Earnings
$37,871 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Texas A&M University - College Station is a great place for students. Located in College Station, Texas, the large public school awarded 21,032 diplomas to qualifed students in .

Degree recipients from Texas A&M College Station accumulate an average of $37,871 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Texas A&M College Station graduates make an average of $64,891 annually.

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4,421 Total Awards
$70,632 Average Earnings
$65,090 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Southern Methodist University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in the Southwest Region . SMU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,421 degrees in .

Degree recipients from SMU accumulate an average of $65,090 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from SMU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $70,632 during the early years of their career.

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#6

Trinity University

San Antonio, Texas
796 Total Awards
$57,496 Average Earnings

Trinity University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Trinity U is located in San Antonio, Texas and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 796 degrees to qualified students.

During the early years of their career, Trinity U graduates make an average of $57,496 annually.

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#7

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
12,102 Total Awards
$41,295 Average Earnings
$16,856 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, El Centro College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. El Centro College is a public institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12,102 degrees in .

Degree recipients from El Centro College accumulate an average of $16,856 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, El Centro College graduates make an average of $41,295 annually.

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#8

Central Texas College

Killeen, Texas
2,080 Total Awards
$53,086 Average Earnings
$10,230 Avg Student Debt

Central Texas College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Killeen, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,080 diplomas to qualifed students in .

On average, students take out $10,230 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Central Texas College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,086 during the early year of their career.

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#9

Rio Salado College

Tempe, Arizona
4,187 Total Awards
$48,564 Average Earnings

Rio Salado College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Rio Salado College is located in Tempe, Arizona and has a fairly large student population. In , this school awarded 4,187 degrees to qualified students.

After graduating from Rio Salado College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,564 during the early years of their career.

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627 Total Awards
$64,690 Average Earnings
$67,141 Avg Student Debt

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Prescott, Arizona, and it awarded 627 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Embry-Riddle Prescott accumulate an average of $67,141 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Embry-Riddle Prescott graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $64,690 during the early year of their career.

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#11

Panola College

Carthage, Texas
600 Total Awards

Panola College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Schools in the Southwest Region list. Panola College is a public institution located in Carthage, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 600 degrees in .

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6,724 Total Awards
$42,177 Average Earnings
$18,805 Avg Student Debt

Collin County Community College District came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in McKinney, Texas, the large public school awarded 6,724 diplomas to qualifed students in .

On average, students take out $18,805 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Collin County Community College District, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,177 during the early years of their career.

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#13

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
15,446 Total Awards
$55,793 Average Earnings
$34,478 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. This large public school is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it awarded 15,446 degrees in .

Degree recipients from ASU - Skysong accumulate an average of $34,478 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from ASU - Skysong, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,793 during the early years of their career.

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#14

University of Phoenix - Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona
24,639 Total Awards
$60,453 Average Earnings
$12,835 Avg Student Debt

University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the large private for-profit school handed out 24,639 degrees in .

Degree recipients from UOPX - Arizona accumulate an average of $12,835 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from UOPX - Arizona, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $60,453 during the early years of their career.

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#15

Lee College

Baytown, Texas
3,303 Total Awards
$53,448 Average Earnings

Lee College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Lee College is a medium-sized public school located in Baytown, Texas that handed out 3,303 degrees in .

After graduating from Lee College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,448 during the early years of their career.

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#16

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
6,143 Total Awards
$49,888 Average Earnings
$73,557 Avg Student Debt

Baylor University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Waco, Texas, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 6,143 diplomas to qualifed students in .

Degree recipients from Baylor accumulate an average of $73,557 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Baylor graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,888 during the early year of their career.

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#17

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
10,618 Total Awards
$50,332 Average Earnings
$34,942 Avg Student Debt

Texas Tech University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Located in Lubbock, Texas, the large public school handed out 10,618 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Texas Tech accumulate an average of $34,942 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Texas Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,332 during the early years of their career.

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1,713 Total Awards
$40,499 Average Earnings
$16,174 Avg Student Debt

McLennan Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. MCC is a public institution located in Waco, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,713 degrees in .

On average, students take out $16,174 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, MCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,499 during the early year of their career.

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6,544 Total Awards
$50,993 Average Earnings
$42,381 Avg Student Debt

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus ranked #19 on this year’s Best Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the large public school handed out 6,544 degrees in .

On average, students take out $42,381 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, OSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,993 during the early year of their career.

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#20

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
11,382 Total Awards
$39,954 Average Earnings
$12,874 Avg Student Debt

Lone Star College System ranked #20 on this year’s Best Schools in the Southwest Region list. The Woodlands, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 11,382 students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,874 in student loans. During the early years of their career, North Harris Montgomery graduates make an average of $39,954 annually.

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2,084 Total Awards
$46,943 Average Earnings
$13,221 Avg Student Debt

Chandler-Gilbert Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Chandler, Arizona, the fairly large public school awarded 2,084 diplomas to qualifed students in .

On average, students take out $13,221 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Chandler-Gilbert Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,943 during the early year of their career.

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#22

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona
5,174 Total Awards
$54,730 Average Earnings
$25,271 Avg Student Debt

Mesa Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Mesa Community College is a public institution located in Mesa, Arizona. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5,174 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Mesa Community College accumulate an average of $25,271 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Mesa Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,730 during the early years of their career.

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#23

Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, Texas
926 Total Awards
$51,930 Average Earnings
$21,618 Avg Student Debt

Wayland Baptist University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. Plainview, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 926 students in .

On average, students take out $21,618 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Wayland Baptist University graduates make an average of $51,930 annually.

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6,798 Total Awards
$44,895 Average Earnings
$18,996 Avg Student Debt

Austin Community College District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #24 on the list. Austin Community College District is a large public school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 6,798 degrees in .

On average, students take out $18,996 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Austin Community College District graduates make an average of $44,895 annually.

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#25

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
5,441 Total Awards
$30,227 Average Earnings
$9,790 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #25, South Texas College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. South Texas College is a large public school located in McAllen, Texas that handed out 5,441 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,790 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, South Texas College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,227 during the early year of their career.

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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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