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2026 Best Trade Schools in Southwest
Looking for the best Trade degree programs in Southwest? This list ranks 656 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Trade College analyzed 484 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Degree Schools in Southwest
Explore the leading schools below:
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the top choices in Southwest. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
You'll be in good company at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #3 this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Trade student debt is $21,275. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Out of the 484 schools in Southwest in this year's ranking, Panola College landed the #4 spot. Located in Carthage, TX, Panola College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,352, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Read more about Panola College
A rank of #5 makes Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott one of the top choices in Southwest. This private not-for-profit school is set in Prescott, AZ. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,974. Typical Trade student debt is $24,707. Read the full report on Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
Midwestern State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Wichita Falls, TX, Midwestern State University is a public institution. Midwestern State University graduates 43% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Midwestern State University Trade students take on a median of $26,415 in debt. Read more about Midwestern State University
El Centro College did well this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Dallas, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $14,557. More on El Centro College
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #8 position. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a public school based in Portales, NM. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $19,277. Get the full Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus report
Grand Canyon University landed the #9 spot in Southwest this year. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Grand Canyon University Trade students take on a median of $30,027 in debt. Read the full report on Grand Canyon University
Arizona State University Skysong placed #10 among Trade schools in Southwest. Set in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. The median Trade program debt is $23,742. See the full Arizona State University Skysong profile
Arizona State University landed the #11 spot in Southwest this year. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Arizona State University
Central Arizona College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Coolidge, AZ, Central Arizona College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Central Arizona College profile
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Phoenix, AZ, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. University Of Phoenix Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 16%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. The median Trade program debt is $35,323. Read more about University Of Phoenix Arizona
University Of The Incarnate Word ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in San Antonio, TX, University Of The Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,090. Graduates carry a median of $28,028 in student loans. Read more about University Of The Incarnate Word
University Of Arizona placed #15 among Trade schools in Southwest. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. University Of Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. University Of Arizona Trade students take on a median of $21,861 in debt. See the full University Of Arizona profile
Galveston College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Galveston, TX, Galveston College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,726, with out-of-state students paying around $6,176. Typical Trade student debt is $15,183. Read more about Galveston College
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee did well this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Okmulgee, OK. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,774, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee Trade students take on a median of $13,356 in debt. See the full Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee profile
Remington College Dallas Campus did well this year, earning the #18 position. Set in Dallas, TX, Remington College Dallas Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,876. Students borrow a median of $21,108 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Remington College Dallas Campus profile
Texas State Technical College came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Waco, TX, Texas State Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Typical Trade student debt is $12,953. Read the full report on Texas State Technical College
Northeast Texas Community College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Northeast Texas Community College is a public school based in Mount Pleasant, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,980, while out-of-state students pay about $5,620. Graduates carry a median of $15,089 in student loans. Read the full report on Northeast Texas Community College
The University Of Texas At San Antonio did well this year, earning the #21 position. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public school based in San Antonio, TX. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete their Trade program here. See the full The University Of Texas At San Antonio profile
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #22 spot in Southwest this year. This public school is set in Avondale, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $21,752. See the full Estrella Mountain Community College profile
Lee College placed #23 among Trade schools in Southwest. Set in Baytown, TX, Lee College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. More on Lee College
University Of Houston ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. University Of Houston is a public school based in Houston, TX. University Of Houston posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Get the full University Of Houston report
Hallmark College Of Technology Hallmark College Of Aeronautics landed the #25 spot in Southwest this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Antonio, TX. About 58% of students finish within six years. Graduates carry a median of $31,457 in student loans. Get the full Hallmark College Of Technology Hallmark College Of Aeronautics report
South University Austin placed #26 among Trade schools in Southwest. Set in Round Rock, TX, South University Austin is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,895. Typical Trade student debt is $51,009. Get the full South University Austin report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Degree Schools in Southwest
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Tarleton State University did well this year, earning the #27 position. This public school is set in Stephenville, TX. Tarleton State University graduates 48% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $23,222. Read the full report on Tarleton State University
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #28 spot in Southwest this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public school based in Richardson, TX. About 76% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. More on The University Of Texas At Dallas
Devry University Arizona came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Devry University Arizona is a private for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. Devry University Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,008. Graduates carry a median of $45,728 in student loans. Read more about Devry University Arizona
Remington College North Houston Campus landed the #30 spot in Southwest this year. Remington College North Houston Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $16,373. The median Trade program debt is $19,119. Get the full Remington College North Houston Campus report
University Of North Texas did well this year, earning the #31 position. University Of North Texas is a public school based in Denton, TX. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. More on University Of North Texas
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Set in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Texas State University San Marcos profile
Remington College Fort Worth Campus landed the #33 spot in Southwest this year. Remington College Fort Worth Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in North Richland Hills, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,071. Typical Trade student debt is $18,689. Read more about Remington College Fort Worth Campus
Remington College Houston Southeast Campus placed #34 among Trade schools in Southwest. Set in League City, TX, Remington College Houston Southeast Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,926 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $15,145. Read the full report on Remington College Houston Southeast Campus
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Stillwater, OK. Oklahoma State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Texas Womans University did well this year, earning the #36 position. Texas Womans University is a public school based in Denton, TX. About 49% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. The median Trade program debt is $24,211. More on Texas Womans University
Mclennan Community College landed the #37 spot in Southwest this year. This public school is set in Waco, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $11,598. Read the full report on Mclennan Community College
Victoria College did well this year, earning the #38 position. Located in Victoria, TX, Victoria College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,910 in student loans. More on Victoria College
Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #39 among Trade schools in Southwest. Based in Weatherford, OK, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a public institution. Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates 41% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Students borrow a median of $20,795 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Southwestern Oklahoma State University
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Houston, TX, University Of Houston Downtown is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. The median Trade program debt is $23,925. Read more about University Of Houston Downtown
Lamar Institute Of Technology placed #41 among Trade schools in Southwest. Based in Beaumont, TX, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,844, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $14,278. See the full Lamar Institute Of Technology profile
Weatherford College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Weatherford, TX, Weatherford College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,860 for out-of-state students. Weatherford College Trade students take on a median of $14,099 in debt. More on Weatherford College
Sam Houston State University placed #43 among Trade schools in Southwest. This public school is set in Huntsville, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $24,850. Get the full Sam Houston State University report
Murray State College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Set in Tishomingo, OK, Murray State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,230 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Students borrow a median of $16,542 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Murray State College
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #45 among Trade schools in Southwest. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public school based in Las Cruces, NM. New Mexico State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. New Mexico State University Main Campus Trade students take on a median of $19,026 in debt. More on New Mexico State University Main Campus
North Central Texas College placed #46 among Trade schools in Southwest. This public school is set in Gainesville, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Graduates carry a median of $15,965 in student loans. Get the full North Central Texas College report
University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Edmond, OK. About 37% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. The median Trade program debt is $23,321. Get the full University Of Central Oklahoma report
Temple College landed the #48 spot in Southwest this year. Located in Temple, TX, Temple College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Temple College Trade students take on a median of $16,617 in debt. More on Temple College
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City landed the #49 spot in Southwest this year. Based in Oklahoma City, OK, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,779, while out-of-state students pay about $9,564. Graduates carry a median of $18,726 in student loans. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Miami, OK, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,213, with out-of-state students paying around $11,363. Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College Trade students take on a median of $15,568 in debt. Read more about Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College
Gateway Community College Phoenix placed #51 among Trade schools in Southwest. Located in Phoenix, AZ, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Gateway Community College Phoenix Trade students take on a median of $15,736 in debt. Read more about Gateway Community College Phoenix
More Trade Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Region · 484 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 656 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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