2023 Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Healthcare Degree Search has developed this Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This report analyzed 147 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones offered the best value 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.
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Top Value Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Aspen University the best value school in the Southwest Region for healthcare students working on their degree. Aspen University is a private for-profit institution located in Denver, Arizona. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,920 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Aspen University are $5,170 a year. On average, students take out $36,338 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Aspen University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $83,891 during the early year of their career.
Aspen University did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region list.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Clovis Community College is a great place for healthcare students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. This small public school is located in Clovis, New Mexico, and it awarded 351 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Clovis Community College are $2,984 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,362 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Clovis Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,236 during the early year of their career.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Panola College is a great place for healthcare students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Panola College is located in Carthage, Texas and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 122 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Panola College are $4,680 a year. During the early years of their career, Panola College graduates make an average of $39,120 annually.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Panola College also did well on our Best Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Out of the 147 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Arizona College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Pinal County Community College is a small public school situated in Coolidge, Arizona. It awarded 177 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pinal County Community College are $5,160 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,406 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Pinal County Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,004 during the early year of their career.
Pinal County Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend College of the Mainland. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region list. College of the Mainland is a small public school located in Texas City, Texas that handed out 261 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at COM are $3,873 per year. On average, students take out $14,935 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from COM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,291 during the early years of their career.
Alvin Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Alvin is a small public school situated in Alvin, Texas. It awarded 311 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Alvin are $4,010 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $12,805 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Alvin graduates make an average of $44,644 annually.
Galveston College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in Galveston, Texas, the small public school awarded 306 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Galveston College are $5,200 per year. On average, students take out $17,077 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Galveston College graduates make an average of $49,840 annually.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Galveston College also is in the top 20% of our Best Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.
South Plains College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students. It came in at #8 on the list. South Plains College is a public institution located in Levelland, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 213 degrees in 2020-2021.
South Plains College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,276 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,786 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, South Plains College graduates make an average of $32,859 annually.
El Centro College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Dallas, Texas, the large public school handed out 621 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. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,288 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, El Centro College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,417 during the early year of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, El Centro College also is in the top 5% of our Best Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.
Amarillo College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Amarillo, Texas, and it awarded 456 degrees in 2020-2021.
Amarillo College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,704 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $17,791 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Amarillo College graduates make an average of $37,621 annually.
New Mexico State University - Carlsbad landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value healthcare programs. This small public school is located in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and it awarded 50 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NMSU Carlsbad are $4,008 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,036 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NMSU Carlsbad graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,288 during the early year of their career.
Wharton County Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students. It came in at #12 on the list. Wharton County Junior College is a public institution located in Wharton, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 179 degrees in 2020-2021.
Wharton County Junior College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,872 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $11,953 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Wharton County Junior College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,858 during the early year of their career.
Tyler Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students. It came in at #13 on the list. Tyler Junior College is located in Tyler, Texas and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 746 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Tyler Junior College are $4,440 per year. On average, students take out $16,583 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Tyler Junior College graduates make an average of $37,511 annually.
Victoria College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Victoria College is a public institution located in Victoria, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 164 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Victoria College are $4,872 a year. On average, students take out $15,005 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Victoria College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,278 during the early years of their career.
Lee College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value healthcare programs. Located in Baytown, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 65 degrees in 2020-2021.
Lee College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,302 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,232 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Lee College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,502 during the early year of their career.
Houston Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value healthcare programs. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 733 students in 2020-2021.
Houston Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,460 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $21,482 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Houston Community College graduates make an average of $35,283 annually.
The University of Texas at Brownsville came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. The University of Texas at Brownsville is a public institution located in Brownsville, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 96 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. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $11,811 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, The University of Texas at Brownsville graduates make an average of $29,311 annually.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This large public school is located in Pasadena, Texas, and it awarded 991 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at San Jacinto College are $5,040 per year. Degree recipients from the school 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.
Northeast Texas Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region list. NTCC is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 124 degrees in 2020-2021.
NTCC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,449 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,641 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, NTCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,602 during the early year of their career.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, NTCC also did well on our Best Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Collin County Community College District ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region list. McKinney, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 512 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Collin County Community College District are $5,104 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,379 in student loans.After graduating from Collin County Community College District, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,890 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Collin County Community College District
McLennan Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value healthcare programs. MCC is a public institution located in Waco, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 387 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MCC are $5,910 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,241 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, MCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,510 during the early year of their career.
Lone Star College System came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This large public school is located in The Woodlands, Texas, and it awarded 1,352 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Harris Montgomery are $6,168 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,481 in student loans.After graduating from North Harris Montgomery, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,839 during the early years of their career.
University of New Mexico - Taos Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students. It came in at #23 on the list. UNM Taos is a public institution located in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 46 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UNM Taos are $4,752 a year. On average, students take out $16,013 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, UNM Taos graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,476 during the early year of their career.
Del Mar College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Healthcare Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. DMC is a public institution located in Corpus Christi, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 483 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DMC are $5,930 per year. On average, students take out $9,725 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, DMC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,941 during the early year of their career.
Odessa College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for healthcare students. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Odessa, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 174 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Odessa College are $4,398 a year. On average, students take out $10,879 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Odessa College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,427 during the early year of their career.
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best healthcare schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | San Juan College | Farmington, NM |
| 27 | University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus | Gallup, NM |
| 28 | Angelina College | Lufkin, TX |
| 29 | Midland College | Midland, TX |
| 30 | Temple College | Temple, TX |
More Southwest Rankings
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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