Southwest Colleges: Costs & Outcomes (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Southwest shows: median public in-state tuition $8,850 (+60.6% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $51,838 (-4.6% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 89.1% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $10,959 (-18.4% vs U.S.) 1,988,707 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 680 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 1,988,707 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $8,850 (+60.6% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $51,838 (-4.6% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 89.1% (+1.1 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $16,229 (+62.8% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $10,959 (-18.4% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $10,959. Debt rank: #2 nationally of 7 (lower debt = better rank)
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 41.8%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 69.0%
- Student debt rank: #2 nationally of 7 (lower debt = better rank)
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Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
EDsmart Data aggregates College Scorecard campus data across Southwest (Census region)—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and top institutions—vs U.S. benchmarks.
Southwest vs national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest (region) | $8,850 | $16,229 | $10,959 | 41.8% | 1,988,707 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Southwest vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | $51,838 | 89.1% | 69.0% | 7.2% | — | 68.7% | 0.40 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
States in Southwest
Member states in this Census region (by enrollment).
| State | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | $8,850 | $16,229 | $10,959 | 41.8% | 1,988,707 | $51,838 | 89.1% |
| Texas | $3,555 | $8,031 | $10,667 | 45.2% | 1,239,434 | $54,274 | 89.8% |
| Arizona | $2,358 | $11,852 | $9,500 | 38.6% | 511,703 | $50,719 | 81.6% |
| Oklahoma | $6,285 | $10,956 | $15,936 | 40.1% | 157,080 | $45,930 | 88.8% |
| New Mexico | $2,235 | $5,908 | $11,356 | 37.0% | 80,490 | $41,944 | 82.1% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
Outcomes by sector in Southwest
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private for-profit | 17 | $37,204 | 79.2% | 63.8% | 12.5% | — | 39.4% |
| Private nonprofit | 60 | $53,366 | 89.1% | 69.8% | 6.0% | — | 72.3% |
| Public | 66 | $53,040 | 89.8% | 69.6% | 8.5% | — | 69.6% |
Top 10 colleges in Southwest by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 94.6%, Rice University
Rice University
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 88.9%, The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 88.9%, Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe
Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 85.5%, Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
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Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 84.3%, Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
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Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 84.0%, Trinity University
Trinity University
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Rank 7, Graduation Rate, 83.9%, Texas A&M University-College Station
Texas A&M University-College Station
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Rank 8, Graduation Rate, 80.0%, Baylor University
Baylor University
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Rank 9, Graduation Rate, 75.7%, The University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas
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Rank 10, Graduation Rate, 75.3%, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
Top 10 colleges in Southwest by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 95.3%, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 94.8%, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 94.1%, East Texas Baptist University
East Texas Baptist University
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 93.6%, West Coast University-Texas
West Coast University-Texas
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 93.4%, Texas A&M University-College Station
Texas A&M University-College Station
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 93.0%, Schreiner University
Schreiner University
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Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 92.9%, Texas Lutheran University
Texas Lutheran University
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Rank 8, Employment Outcome, 92.9%, Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
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Rank 9, Employment Outcome, 92.6%, Stephen F Austin State University
Stephen F Austin State University
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Rank 10, Employment Outcome, 92.5%, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Top 10 most selective colleges in Southwest (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 8.0%, Rice University
Rice University
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 25.9%, Trinity University
Trinity University
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 26.6%, The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 38.0%, LeTourneau University
LeTourneau University
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Rank 5, Admission Rate, 39.1%, Huston-Tillotson University
Huston-Tillotson University
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Rank 6, Admission Rate, 40.3%, Paul Quinn College
Paul Quinn College
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Rank 7, Admission Rate, 43.0%, Southwestern University
Southwestern University
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Rank 8, Admission Rate, 44.4%, Texas A & M International University
Texas A & M International University
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Rank 9, Admission Rate, 44.5%, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
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Rank 10, Admission Rate, 44.5%, Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Top 10 colleges in Southwest by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $131,154, Rice University
Rice University
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $115,284, Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $111,587, The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $99,671, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
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Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $98,826, University of Phoenix-Arizona
University of Phoenix-Arizona
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Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $95,859, West Coast University-Texas
West Coast University-Texas
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Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $94,023, Aspen University
Aspen University
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Rank 8, Entry-Level Earnings, $93,679, Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
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Rank 9, Entry-Level Earnings, $93,001, University of Houston-Clear Lake
University of Houston-Clear Lake
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Rank 10, Entry-Level Earnings, $92,781, Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
Top 10 colleges in Southwest by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $182,443, Rice University
Rice University
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $156,311, The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $145,353, University of Tulsa
University of Tulsa
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $139,864, Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
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Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $133,852, Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
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Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $129,401, Texas A&M University-College Station
Texas A&M University-College Station
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Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $128,411, Baylor University
Baylor University
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Rank 8, Early-Career Earnings, $126,356, University of New Mexico-Main Campus
University of New Mexico-Main Campus
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Rank 9, Early-Career Earnings, $123,416, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
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Rank 10, Early-Career Earnings, $121,734, Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Top 10 colleges in Southwest by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $96,114, West Coast University-Texas
West Coast University-Texas
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $84,533, Chamberlain University-Texas
Chamberlain University-Texas
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $84,533, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $84,007, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $82,535, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $79,751, Rice University
Rice University
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Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $73,887, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
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Rank 8, Mid-Career Earnings, $65,556, Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
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Rank 9, Mid-Career Earnings, $65,391, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
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Rank 10, Mid-Career Earnings, $60,902, The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington
Top 10 colleges in Southwest by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $98,146, West Coast University-Texas
West Coast University-Texas
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $89,220, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $88,633, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $88,361, Chamberlain University-Texas
Chamberlain University-Texas
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $88,361, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $78,690, Rice University
Rice University
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Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $77,799, Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
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Rank 8, 8-Yr Earnings, $76,703, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
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Rank 9, 8-Yr Earnings, $76,224, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
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Rank 10, 8-Yr Earnings, $68,554, The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin
Top 10 colleges in Southwest by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $102,672, West Coast University-Texas
West Coast University-Texas
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $92,961, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $92,405, Chamberlain University-Texas
Chamberlain University-Texas
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $92,405, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $92,348, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $89,718, Rice University
Rice University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $84,131, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
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Rank 8, 10-Yr Earnings, $82,206, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
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Rank 9, 10-Yr Earnings, $78,354, Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
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Rank 10, 10-Yr Earnings, $76,489, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Top 10 colleges in Southwest by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $364,686, West Coast University-Texas
West Coast University-Texas
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $348,384, Rice University
Rice University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $280,894, Chamberlain University-Texas
Chamberlain University-Texas
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $276,068, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $263,498, Texas A&M University-Central Texas
Texas A&M University-Central Texas
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $257,119, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $242,744, The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin
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Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $235,976, The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington
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Rank 9, 10-Yr ROI, $229,495, The University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas
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Rank 10, 10-Yr ROI, $224,758, Texas A&M University-College Station
Texas A&M University-College Station
Top 10 most affordable colleges in Southwest (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $672, College of Biblical Studies-Houston
College of Biblical Studies-Houston
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Rank 2, Net Price, $1,300, Texas A&M University-Central Texas
Texas A&M University-Central Texas
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Rank 3, Net Price, $3,637, Texas A & M International University
Texas A & M International University
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Rank 4, Net Price, $4,831, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
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Rank 5, Net Price, $4,904, Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
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Rank 6, Net Price, $7,092, Wiley University
Wiley University
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Rank 7, Net Price, $8,683, East Central University
East Central University
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Rank 8, Net Price, $6,624, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
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Rank 9, Net Price, $6,420, University of North Texas at Dallas
University of North Texas at Dallas
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Rank 10, Net Price, $8,039, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Top 10 colleges in Southwest by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 100.0%, Strayer University-Texas
Strayer University-Texas
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 100.0%, Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 97.4%, Rice University
Rice University
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 96.7%, The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin
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Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 94.3%, Texas A&M University-College Station
Texas A&M University-College Station
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Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 92.9%, Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
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Rank 7, First-Year Retention, 92.9%, Trinity University
Trinity University
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Rank 8, First-Year Retention, 92.1%, University of Tulsa
University of Tulsa
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Rank 9, First-Year Retention, 91.0%, Baylor University
Baylor University
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Rank 10, First-Year Retention, 90.5%, Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
In-state tuition: Southwest vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Southwest median in-state tuition is $8,850, +60.6% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Southwest vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Southwest is $10,959 (-18.4% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $10,959. Rank: #2 nationally of 7 (lower debt = better rank).
Median earnings (10 years out): Southwest vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Southwest center around $51,838 (-4.6% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Southwest vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 89.1% at the median Southwest campus (+1.1 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Southwest median public in-state tuition is $8,850, about +60.6% vs the national median.
Median graduate debt is $10,959 (-18.4% below the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Student debt rank: #2 nationally of 7 (lower debt = better rank) (1 = lowest median debt).
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Southwest are $51,838, about -4.6% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
The median campus reports 89.1% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (+1.1 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 69.0% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 7.2% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 68.7% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (95.3%), The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (94.8%), East Texas Baptist University (94.1%), West Coast University-Texas (93.6%), Texas A&M University-College Station (93.4%), Schreiner University (93.0%), Texas Lutheran University (92.9%), Texas Christian University (92.9%), Stephen F Austin State University (92.6%), The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (92.5%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Southwest, sector medians diverge: Private for-profit median 10-yr earnings $37,204 (17 campuses); Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $53,366 (60 campuses); Public median 10-yr earnings $53,040 (66 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Southwest is 41.8% (national institution average about 50.3%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in the Southwest region?
EDsmart Data analysis: the Southwest regional profile aggregates 680 campuses and about 1,988,707 reported enrollment across member states.
What does college cost in the Southwest region?
EDsmart Data analysis: regional median in-state tuition is $8,850 and median net price is $16,229 (+60.6% vs U.S. tuition median). National medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in the Southwest region?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings across Southwest campuses is $51,838 vs $54,323 nationally.
What is typical student debt in the Southwest region?
EDsmart Data analysis: regional median completer debt is $10,959 vs $13,432 nationally.
Which states are in the Southwest region?
EDsmart Data analysis: member states in this Census region include Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas.
How many public vs. private colleges are in the Southwest region?
EDsmart Data analysis: among reporting campuses: 66 public, 60 private nonprofit, and 17 private for-profit.
What are the top colleges in the Southwest region?
EDsmart Data analysis: standouts in regional Top 10 lists include West Coast University-Texas and Rice University.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in the Southwest region?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 680 campuses in the Southwest region, 10 historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Langston University, Huston-Tillotson University, and Jarvis Christian University; 6 tribal colleges (IPEDS TRIBAL flag), including Dine College, Navajo Technical University, and Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; 381 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Empire Beauty School-Tucson, Carrington College-Phoenix North, and Carrington College-Mesa; 73 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Baptist (13), Roman Catholic (8), United Methodist (6).
Sources & related
- All college profiles
- All regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON