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2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

135 Schools Ranked
$5,065 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$25,720 Avg Student Debt*

With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 135 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones offered the best value programs for trade school students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Trade Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Clovis Community College

Clovis, New Mexico
725 Total Awards
$3,224 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Clovis Community College to be the best value school for trade school students in the Southwest Region . Clovis, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 725 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Clovis Community College are $3,224 a year.

Read full report on Clovis Community College

#2

Panola College

Carthage, Texas
897 Total Awards
$4,896 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Panola College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region list. This small public school is located in Carthage, Texas, and it awarded 897 degrees in 2021-2022.

Panola College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,896 in tuition and fees each year.

Panola College also took the #4 spot in our Best Trade Schools in the Southwest Region rankings.

Read full report on Panola College

#3

Lee College

Baytown, Texas
3,677 Total Awards
$4,302 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 135 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Lee College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Lee College is a public institution located in Baytown, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3,677 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lee College are $4,302 per year.

Lee College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Full Lee College Report

#4

Central Arizona College

Coolidge, Arizona
1,048 Total Awards
$3,000 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Arizona College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Coolidge, Arizona, the small public school awarded 1,048 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pinal County Community College are $3,000 a year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Pinal County Community College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Full Central Arizona College Report

#5

Alvin Community College

Alvin, Texas
1,253 Total Awards
$4,010 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 135 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Alvin Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Alvin is a medium-sized public school situated in Alvin, Texas. It awarded 1,253 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Alvin are $4,010 per year.

Read full report on Alvin Community College

#6

Galveston College

Galveston, Texas
677 Total Awards
$5,726 Average Tuition & Fees

Galveston College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #6 on the list. Galveston College is a small public school situated in Galveston, Texas. It awarded 677 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Galveston College are $5,726 per year.

Galveston College also claimed a spot on our Best Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

Read More…

#7

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
10,913 Total Awards
$6,000 Average Tuition & Fees

El Centro College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. El Centro College is a large public school situated in Dallas, Texas. It awarded 10,913 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at El Centro College are $6,000 a year.

El Centro College also claimed a spot on our Best Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

Read More…

#8

Victoria College

Victoria, Texas
600 Total Awards
$5,112 Average Tuition & Fees

Victoria College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #8 on the list. Victoria, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 600 students in 2021-2022.

Victoria College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,112 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#9

College of the Mainland

Texas City, Texas
760 Total Awards
$3,873 Average Tuition & Fees

College of the Mainland ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region list. This small public school is located in Texas City, Texas, and it awarded 760 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at COM are $3,873 a year.

Read More…

#10

Hill College

Hillsboro, Texas
670 Total Awards
$4,462 Average Tuition & Fees

Hill College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Hillsboro, Texas, the small public school handed out 670 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hill College are $4,462 a year.

Read full report on Hill College

#11

Wharton County Junior College

Wharton, Texas
865 Total Awards
$5,052 Average Tuition & Fees

Wharton County Junior College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Wharton, Texas, and it awarded 865 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Wharton County Junior College are $5,052 a year.

Read full report on Wharton County Junior College

#12

Tyler Junior College

Tyler, Texas
2,452 Total Awards
$4,440 Average Tuition & Fees

Tyler Junior College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region list. Tyler Junior College is a fairly large public school located in Tyler, Texas that handed out 2,452 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Tyler Junior College are $4,440 per year.

Read More…

#13

Clarendon College

Clarendon, Texas
290 Total Awards
$5,400 Average Tuition & Fees

Clarendon College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #13 on the list. This small public school is located in Clarendon, Texas, and it awarded 290 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Clarendon College are $5,400 per year.

Read full report on Clarendon College

1,232 Total Awards
$4,948 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas at Brownsville came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. The University of Texas at Brownsville is a medium-sized public school located in Brownsville, Texas that handed out 1,232 degrees in 2021-2022.

The University of Texas at Brownsville undergraduate students pay an average of $4,948 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on The University of Texas at Brownsville

#15

South Plains College

Levelland, Texas
1,732 Total Awards
$4,857 Average Tuition & Fees

South Plains College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. South Plains College is a medium-sized public school situated in Levelland, Texas. It awarded 1,732 degrees in 2021-2022.

South Plains College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,857 in tuition and fees each year.

Full South Plains College Report

#15

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas
2,380 Total Awards
$4,704 Average Tuition & Fees

Amarillo College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Located in Amarillo, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,380 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Amarillo College are $4,704 per year.

Read full report on Amarillo College

6,278 Total Awards
$5,614 Average Tuition & Fees

Collin County Community College District came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Collin County Community College District is a public institution located in McKinney, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,278 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Collin County Community College District are $5,614 a year.

Read full report on Collin County Community College District

#18

Northeast Texas Community College

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

Northeast Texas Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Mount Pleasant, Texas, the small public school awarded 705 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NTCC are $6,449 per year.

In addition to its great value ranking, NTCC is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Read full report on Northeast Texas Community College

1,793 Total Awards
$5,910 Average Tuition & Fees

McLennan Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region list. Waco, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,793 students in 2021-2022.

MCC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,910 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#20

San Jacinto Community College

Pasadena, Texas
8,335 Total Awards
$5,040 Average Tuition & Fees

San Jacinto Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region list. San Jacinto College is located in Pasadena, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 8,335 degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at San Jacinto College are $5,040 per year.

Full San Jacinto Community College Report

#21

New Mexico State University - Carlsbad

Carlsbad, New Mexico
157 Total Awards
$4,008 Average Tuition & Fees

New Mexico State University - Carlsbad ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region list. Carlsbad, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 157 students in 2021-2022.

NMSU Carlsbad undergraduate students pay an average of $4,008 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#22

University of New Mexico - Taos Campus

Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico
139 Total Awards
$5,004 Average Tuition & Fees

University of New Mexico - Taos Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #22 on the list. This small public school is located in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, and it awarded 139 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNM Taos are $5,004 per year.

Full University of New Mexico - Taos Campus Report

#23

Odessa College

Odessa, Texas
1,781 Total Awards
$4,566 Average Tuition & Fees

Odessa College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Odessa College is a medium-sized public school situated in Odessa, Texas. It awarded 1,781 degrees in 2021-2022.

Odessa College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,566 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Odessa College Report

#24

Angelina College

Lufkin, Texas
916 Total Awards
$6,150 Average Tuition & Fees

Angelina College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #24 on the list. AC is a small public school situated in Lufkin, Texas. It awarded 916 degrees in 2021-2022.

AC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,150 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Angelina College

1,342 Total Awards
$8,718 Average Tuition & Fees

Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Portales, New Mexico, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,342 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

ENMU - Main Campus undergraduate students pay an average of $8,718 in tuition and fees each year.

ENMU - Main Campus also claimed a spot on our Best Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

Full Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Report

View Best Value Trade Schools Nationwide >

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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