Rankings / By Region
Best Colleges in Southwest
- 50
- Schools
- $54,053
- Avg. Earnings
- 52%
- Avg. Graduation
- $14,179
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,098
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $34,233 to $89,718, a 2.6× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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New Mexico Military Institute delivers the most for the money: roughly $57,410 in median earnings against $4,571 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Western Texas College is the lowest-cost school here at $3,562 a year in net price.
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Rice University graduates 95% of its students, versus a 52% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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New Mexico Military Institute carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.10× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Western Texas College costs $3,562 a year and Baylor University costs $41,104. Yet their graduates earn $42,508 and $65,793, nowhere near the $37,542 price gap.
- On value, New Mexico Military Institute beats Rice University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Rice University finishes 95% of students while Wharton County Junior College finishes 24%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with New Mexico Military Institute and Rice University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on the outcomes that actually compound — graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value — using federal tax-records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $54K ten years out.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-12
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Rice University #1 overall | $89,718 ▲ +66% vs avg | $13,370 | 95% | 81 |
| 2 The University of Texas at Austin #2 overall | $75,121 ▲ +39% vs avg | $19,857 | 88% | 76 |
| 3 | $76,489 ▲ +42% vs avg | $9,873 | 57% | 75 |
| $71,668 ▲ +33% vs avg | $23,464 | 83% | 73 | |
| $68,227 ▲ +26% vs avg | $18,267 | 75% | 73 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Southwest
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $54,053 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 52% and an average net price of $14,179.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: New Mexico Military Institute — Net Price: $4,571 | Graduation Rate: 41%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Rice University — 95% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Rice University — Median alumni earnings: $89,718
CollegeRanker Primary Research
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Southwest Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Southwest?
$53,626
Median earnings (10yr)
47%
Median graduation rate
$12,717
Median net price
2.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Southwest, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $53,626 ten years after enrollment, or about $5,626 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 47%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $12,717 a year with about $18,543 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 33% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.2%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Southwest pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $12,717 and median earnings of $53,626 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Rice University lands at #1 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $89,718 a decade after enrolling, 66% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,370 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
The University of Texas at Austin lands at #2 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $75,121 a decade after enrolling, 39% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,857 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Socorro, NM · 44% accepted · $9,873 net
Why it ranks #3
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology lands at #3 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (71/100). Graduates earn a median $76,489 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,873 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Trinity University lands at #4 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $71,668 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,464 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
The University of Texas at Dallas lands at #5 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $68,227 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,267 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
University of Tulsa lands at #6 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $61,408 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,000 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
The University of Texas at Tyler lands at #7 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (69/100). Graduates earn a median $57,053 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,323 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Texas Woman's University lands at #8 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (68/100). Graduates earn a median $56,544 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,963 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
East Texas A&M University lands at #9 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $50,296 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,841 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
University of North Texas lands at #10 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,010 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,649 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
The University of Texas Permian Basin lands at #11 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $56,073 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,723 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
The University of Texas at Arlington lands at #12 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,199 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,951 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Southeastern Oklahoma State University lands at #13 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $45,079 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,039 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Western Texas College lands at #14 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $42,508 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,562 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Texas Christian University lands at #15 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $68,424 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,660 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Texas State University lands at #16 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $56,906 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,805 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Austin College lands at #17 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $61,296 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,107 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
College Station, TX · 57% accepted · $21,315 net
Why it ranks #18
Texas A&M University-College Station lands at #18 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $72,097 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,315 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Sam Houston State University lands at #19 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $54,211 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,404 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
San Antonio, TX · 87% accepted · $10,836 net
Why it ranks #20
The University of Texas at San Antonio lands at #20 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $57,131 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,836 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Texas Tech University lands at #21 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $62,454 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,070 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
New Mexico Military Institute lands at #22 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $57,410 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,571 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Lamar University lands at #23 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $49,652 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,366 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Northeastern State University lands at #24 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $45,379 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,710 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Angelo State University lands at #25 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,116 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,091 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Stephen F Austin State University lands at #26 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $49,634 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,260 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Northwestern Oklahoma State University lands at #27 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,358 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,104 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Chickasha, OK · 66% accepted · $6,624 net
Why it ranks #28
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma lands at #28 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $41,913 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,624 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Northern Oklahoma College lands at #29 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $37,566 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,625 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Southern Methodist University lands at #30 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $78,354 a decade after enrolling, 45% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,892 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
University of Dallas lands at #31 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $58,285 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,610 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Concordia University Texas lands at #32 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $60,883 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,131 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Brazosport College lands at #33 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (68/100). Graduates earn a median $45,910 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,732 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
The University of Texas at El Paso lands at #34 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,923 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,403 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Midwestern State University lands at #35 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $55,747 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,656 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Temple College lands at #36 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $38,678 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,682 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Oklahoma City University lands at #37 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $54,655 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,857 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Southwestern Oklahoma State University lands at #38 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $45,744 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,459 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
University of Central Oklahoma lands at #39 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $48,351 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,309 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
North Central Texas College lands at #40 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $45,809 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,587 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Northeast Texas Community College lands at #41 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $37,870 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,706 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Wharton County Junior College lands at #42 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,960 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,666 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Tarleton State University lands at #43 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $53,040 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,783 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Tulsa Community College lands at #44 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $39,746 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,288 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
New Mexico Junior College lands at #45 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $34,233 a decade after enrolling, 37% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,524 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Baylor University lands at #46 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $65,793 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,104 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Amarillo College lands at #47 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $41,302 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,600 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Eastern Oklahoma State College lands at #48 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $38,658 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,830 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Odessa College lands at #49 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $42,026 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,368 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Tarrant County College District lands at #50 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,727 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,337 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
The colleges in the Southwest offer a blend of academic rigor, diverse programs, and unique campus experiences. Whether you're looking for a traditional university or a specialized institution, these schools represent some of the best choices in the region. With an average earnings potential of $54,396, these institutions can pave the way for meaningful careers.
What sets apart the top schools in this list are their strong graduation rates, earning potential, and manageable debt levels. For instance, Rice University stands out with a remarkable 95% graduation rate, while institutions like New Mexico Military Institute have a much lower 41% rate. This data can help you sift through the options and identify which schools align with your career aspirations and financial situation.
Take Rice University and Texas A&M University-College Station, for example. Rice boasts earnings of $89,718 and a low debt of $11,000, while Texas A&M has earnings of $72,097 and a higher debt of $17,804. This contrast highlights the trade-off between immediate earning potential and financial burden, giving you key insights as you consider your own goals.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 49 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.2%. The University of Texas at El Paso leads the group at 6.8%, with Odessa College (4.7%) and New Mexico Junior College (4.3%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 10.6% of students start in the bottom income quintile. The University of Texas at El Paso leads at 28%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 24.4% across this list. Rice University posts the highest success rate at 48.7%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.52 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Rice University reaches 1.86, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
Notably, Rice University outperforms New Mexico Military Institute on several critical metrics. While Rice enjoys a top graduation rate of 95% and a high earnings potential of $89,718, New Mexico Military Institute's much lower graduation rate of 41% and earnings of $57,410 may reflect a less supportive environment for student success. This stark difference can influence your decision based on how important these outcomes are to you.
As you sift through the 50 schools listed, think about your own priorities. Are you willing to take on more debt for a higher earning potential, as seen with Rice? Or does a lower net price, like that of New Mexico Military Institute at $4,571, appeal more to you? Weigh factors such as academic programs, campus culture, and location against these financial metrics to find the right fit for your needs.
Ultimately, the journey from college to a stable career is a significant one. Take Rice University, where graduates enjoy high earnings, and compare it to institutions with lower outcomes. One family's decision to prioritize earnings and graduation rates could mean the difference between financial stability and uncertainty after graduation. Understanding these dynamics can help you navigate this crucial choice.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges in Southwest: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Southwest ranking? +
Rice University in Houston, TX ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in Southwest ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $89,718 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 95% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Rice University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $89,718 ten years after enrollment, well above the $54,053 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, New Mexico Military Institute leads: graduates earn a median $57,410 against net price of about $4,571 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Rice University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 95%, compared with a 52% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $14,179 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Western Texas College is among the most affordable at roughly $3,562. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges in Southwest ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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