2023 Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region
There are so many 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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 620 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Featured schools near , edit
Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found University of Phoenix - Arizona to be the most popular school for students in the Southwest Region . Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 29,877 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,058 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $146, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Out of the 620 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Grand Canyon University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution located in Phoenix, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29,176 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $31,746 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $174 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Grand Canyon University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,396 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Arizona State University - Tempe is a great place for students. ASU - Tempe is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21,156 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from ASU - Tempe accumulate an average of $24,436 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 $329. During the early years of their career, ASU - Tempe graduates make an average of $49,374 annually. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in College Station, Texas, the large public school handed out 19,908 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,847 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $304.After graduating from Texas A&M College Station, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,177 during the early years of their career. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend The University of Texas at Austin. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region list. UT Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 17,613 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $20,281 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $270 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UT Austin, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,632 during the early years of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. UT Arlington is a large public school situated in Arlington, Texas. It awarded 14,417 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,737 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $163, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UT Arlington, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,602 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
With a ranking of #7, El Centro College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. El Centro College is located in Dallas, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12,775 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from El Centro College accumulate an average of $18,288 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from El Centro College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,417 during the early years of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. ASU - Skysong is a large public school situated in Scottsdale, Arizona. It awarded 12,598 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from ASU - Skysong accumulate an average of $25,869 in student debt by the time they complete 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. Once they receive their degree, ASU - Skysong graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,067 during the early year of their career. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Arizona landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Tucson, Arizona, the large public school handed out 11,808 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,823 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $407, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, University of Arizona graduates make an average of $46,654 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Lone Star College System ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in The Woodlands, Texas, the large public school awarded 11,684 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $14,481 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, North Harris Montgomery graduates make an average of $36,839 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Houston came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Houston, Texas, the large public school handed out 11,581 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,948 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. Once they receive their degree, UH graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,769 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
University of North Texas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Denton, Texas, the large public school handed out 10,800 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UNT 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. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Texas Tech University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #13 on the list. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 9,710 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Texas Tech accumulate an average of $24,578 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 $273.After graduating from Texas Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,903 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
Texas State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #14 on the list. Texas State is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,313 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Texas State accumulate an average of $23,697 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $233, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Texas State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,351 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region list. Central New Mexico Community College is a fairly large public school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 9,303 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from CNM accumulate an average of $13,850 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, CNM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,582 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Northern Arizona University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Flagstaff, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 8,583 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from NAU accumulate an average of $22,450 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $324, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, NAU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,197 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Tarrant County College District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #17 on the list. Tarrant County College District is a large public school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 8,528 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,851 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Tarrant County College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,816 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This large public school is located in Richardson, Texas, and it awarded 8,460 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,709 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $225, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UT Dallas, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,037 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
The University of Texas at San Antonio ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region list. UTSA is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 8,095 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,833 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $134, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UTSA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,609 during the early years of their career. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Norman, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 7,438 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,983 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $471, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, University of Oklahoma graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,499 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
San Jacinto Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #21 on the list. This large public school is located in Pasadena, Texas, and it awarded 7,278 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from San Jacinto College accumulate an average of $14,185 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, San Jacinto College graduates make an average of $36,140 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #22, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. UT Rio Grande Valley is a large public school situated in Edinburg, Texas. It awarded 6,962 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,544 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UT Rio Grande Valley graduates make an average of $42,119 annually. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Houston Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #23 on the list. This large public school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 6,693 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,482 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Houston Community College graduates make an average of $35,283 annually. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #24 on the list. This large public school is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and it awarded 6,403 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,108 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $339 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from OSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,215 during the early years of their career. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the large public school handed out 5,902 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,068 in student loans.After graduating from UNM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,271 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Narrow Schools by State
View Most Popular Schools Nationwide >
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.