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Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region

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 Community College is a public institution located in Clovis, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 725 degrees in 2021-2022.

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

Full Clovis Community College Report

#2

Panola College

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Panola College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region list. Panola College is a small public school situated in Carthage, Texas. It awarded 897 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Panola College are $4,896 per 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

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Lee College is a great place for trade school students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. 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.

Lee College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,302 in tuition and fees each year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Lee College also did well on our Best Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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#4

Central Arizona College

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

The excellent programs at Central Arizona College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade schools in the Southwest Region . 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.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Pinal County Community College also did well on our Best Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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#5

Alvin Community College

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Alvin Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Alvin, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,253 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Alvin are $4,010 a year.

Full Alvin Community College Report

#6

Galveston College

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

Galveston College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. This small public school is located in Galveston, Texas, and it awarded 677 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Galveston College are $5,726 a year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Galveston College also did well on our Best Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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#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. Located in Dallas, Texas, the large public school handed out 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.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, El Centro College also is in the top 5% of our Best Trade Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.

Read full report on El Centro College

#8

Victoria College

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

Victoria College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region 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.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Victoria College are $5,112 a year.

Read More…

#9

College of the Mainland

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

College of the Mainland came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Texas City, Texas, the small public school awarded 760 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at COM are $3,873 per year.

Full College of the Mainland Report

#10

Hill College

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

Hill College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Hillsboro, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 670 students 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. Wharton, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 865 students 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 situated in Tyler, Texas. It awarded 2,452 degrees in 2021-2022.

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

Read full report on Tyler Junior College

#13

Clarendon College

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

Clarendon College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region list. Clarendon College is a public institution located in Clarendon, Texas. The school has a small population, 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 landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Located in Brownsville, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,232 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at The University of Texas at Brownsville are $4,948 per 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 located in Levelland, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,732 degrees to qualified students.

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

Read full report on South Plains College

#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 handed out 2,380 degrees in 2021-2022.

Amarillo College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,704 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Amarillo College Report

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 located in McKinney, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6,278 degrees to qualified students.

Collin County Community College District undergraduate students pay an average of $5,614 in tuition and fees each 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. Mount Pleasant, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 705 students in 2021-2022.

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

NTCC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Full Northeast Texas Community College Report

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

McLennan Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 1,793 degrees in 2021-2022.

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

Read full report on McLennan Community College

#20

San Jacinto Community College

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

San Jacinto Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #20 on the list. San Jacinto Community College is a large public school located in Pasadena, Texas that handed out 8,335 degrees in 2021-2022.

San Jacinto College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,040 in tuition and fees each 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 came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Carlsbad, New Mexico, the small public school handed out 157 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NMSU Carlsbad are $4,008 per 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 came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This small public school is located in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, and it awarded 139 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UNM Taos are $5,004 a 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 ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Southwest Region list. Odessa College is a public institution located in Odessa, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,781 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Odessa College are $4,566 per year.

Read full report on Odessa College

#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.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at AC are $6,150 per year.

Read More…

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

Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #25 on the list. ENMU - Main Campus is a medium-sized public school situated in Portales, New Mexico. It awarded 1,342 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ENMU - Main Campus are $8,718 a year.

In addition to its great value ranking, ENMU - Main Campus is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Read full report on Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus

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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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