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Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

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2023 Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

89 Schools Ranked
$4,758 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$19,369 Avg Student Debt*

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for healthcare students. 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 Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking is one of many tools that Healthcare Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 89 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for healthcare students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

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

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Clovis Community College

Clovis, New Mexico
60 Total Awards
$2,984 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,448 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Clovis Community College the best value school in the Southwest Region for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Clovis Community College is located in Clovis, New Mexico and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Clovis Community College are $2,984 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,448 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Clovis Community College. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Clovis Community College Report

#2

Central Arizona College

Coolidge, Arizona
123 Total Awards
$5,160 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Central Arizona College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Coolidge, Arizona is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 123 students in 2020-2021.

Pinal County Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,160 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,315 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Pinal County Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Pinal County Community College also made our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list, coming in at #2.

Full Central Arizona College Report

#3

Panola College

Carthage, Texas
81 Total Awards
$4,680 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Panola College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Carthage, Texas, the small public school awarded 81 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Panola College are $4,680 per year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Panola College. In 2019-2020 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Panola College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Read full report on Panola College

#4

Alvin Community College

Alvin, Texas
190 Total Awards
$4,010 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,951 Avg Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at Alvin Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value healthcare schools in the Southwest Region . Alvin is located in Alvin, Texas and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 190 associate degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Alvin are $4,010 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,951 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Alvin. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 44% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Alvin Community College Report

#5

College of the Mainland

Texas City, Texas
102 Total Awards
$3,873 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,500 Avg Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at College of the Mainland helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value healthcare schools in the Southwest Region . COM is a public institution located in Texas City, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 102 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

COM undergraduate students pay an average of $3,873 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,500 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since COM does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#6

South Plains College

Levelland, Texas
152 Total Awards
$4,276 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,112 Avg Student Debt

South Plains College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Levelland, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 152 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

South Plains College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,276 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,112 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at South Plains College. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#7

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas
323 Total Awards
$4,704 Average Tuition & Fees

Amarillo College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Amarillo, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 323 students in 2020-2021.

Amarillo College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,704 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $18,641 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Amarillo College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Amarillo College also did well on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on Amarillo College

143 Total Awards
$4,872 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Wharton County Junior College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Wharton, Texas, and it awarded 143 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Wharton County Junior College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,872 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,328 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at Wharton County Junior College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 84% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Wharton County Junior College also did well on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Wharton County Junior College Report

30 Total Awards
$4,008 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,036 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, New Mexico State University - Carlsbad did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. NMSU Carlsbad is located in Carlsbad, New Mexico and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 associate degrees to qualified students.

NMSU Carlsbad undergraduate students pay an average of $4,008 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,036 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NMSU Carlsbad. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on New Mexico State University - Carlsbad

#10

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
385 Total Awards
$6,000 Average Tuition & Fees

El Centro College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. El Centro College is a public institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 385 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at El Centro College are $6,000 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $18,961 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that El Centro College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.

El Centro College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Read full report on El Centro College

#11

Tyler Junior College

Tyler, Texas
423 Total Awards
$4,440 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,044 Avg Student Debt

Tyler Junior College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Tyler Junior College is a fairly large public school located in Tyler, Texas that handed out 423 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Tyler Junior College are $4,440 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,044 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Tyler Junior College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#12

Houston Community College

Houston, Texas
435 Total Awards
$5,460 Average Tuition & Fees

Houston Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Houston Community College is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 435 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Houston Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,460 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,597 in student loans.

Houston Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Houston Community College also did well on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on Houston Community College

#13

Lee College

Baytown, Texas
45 Total Awards
$4,302 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,284 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Lee College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Baytown, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lee College are $4,302 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,284 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Lee College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Lee College

#14

San Jacinto Community College

Pasadena, Texas
605 Total Awards
$5,040 Average Tuition & Fees

San Jacinto Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. San Jacinto College is a public institution located in Pasadena, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 605 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at San Jacinto College are $5,040 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,960 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at San Jacinto College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 95% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#15

Galveston College

Galveston, Texas
125 Total Awards
$5,200 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #15, Galveston College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Galveston College is a small public school located in Galveston, Texas that handed out 125 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Galveston College are $5,200 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,605 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Galveston College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

60 Total Awards
$4,948 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,381 Avg Student Debt

The University of Texas at Brownsville came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Brownsville, Texas, and it awarded 60 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at The University of Texas at Brownsville are $4,948 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,381 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

The University of Texas at Brownsville does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 10% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on The University of Texas at Brownsville

#17

Northeast Texas Community College

Mount Pleasant, Texas
79 Total Awards
$6,449 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast Texas Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Mount Pleasant, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 79 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NTCC are $6,449 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,637 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that NTCC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

NTCC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Read More…

#18

San Juan College

Farmington, New Mexico
182 Total Awards
$4,546 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,157 Avg Student Debt

San Juan College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. San Juan College is a medium-sized public school located in Farmington, New Mexico that handed out 182 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SJC are $4,546 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,157 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at SJC. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full San Juan College Report

#19

Victoria College

Victoria, Texas
89 Total Awards
$4,872 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,992 Avg Student Debt

Victoria College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Victoria College is a public institution located in Victoria, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 89 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Victoria College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,872 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,992 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Victoria College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Victoria College Report

240 Total Awards
$5,104 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,379 Avg Student Debt

Collin County Community College District landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. This large public school is located in McKinney, Texas, and it awarded 240 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Collin County Community College District undergraduate students pay an average of $5,104 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,379 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Collin County Community College District, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#21

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
683 Total Awards
$6,168 Average Tuition & Fees

Lone Star College System landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. Located in The Woodlands, Texas, the large public school handed out 683 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.

North Harris Montgomery undergraduate students pay an average of $6,168 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,481 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

North Harris Montgomery does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, North Harris Montgomery also is in the top 10% of our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.

Read full report on Lone Star College System

#22

Del Mar College

Corpus Christi, Texas
440 Total Awards
$5,930 Average Tuition & Fees

Del Mar College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree healthcare programs. DMC is a fairly large public school situated in Corpus Christi, Texas. It awarded 440 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

DMC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,930 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,513 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

DMC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

DMC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Read full report on Del Mar College

#23

Odessa College

Odessa, Texas
116 Total Awards
$4,398 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,199 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #23, Odessa College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Odessa College is located in Odessa, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 116 associate degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Odessa College are $4,398 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,199 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Odessa College. In 2019-2020 about 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Odessa College Report

47 Total Awards
$4,708 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,819 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #24, University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Gallup, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UNM Gallup are $4,708 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,819 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

UNM Gallup does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus Report

#25

University of New Mexico - Taos Campus

Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico
14 Total Awards
$4,752 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,819 Avg Student Debt

University of New Mexico - Taos Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. UNM Taos is a public institution located in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

UNM Taos undergraduate students pay an average of $4,752 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,819 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UNM Taos does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

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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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