2023 Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right 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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Grad Degree Search has created its Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 169 schools in the Southwest Region to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Grand Canyon University to be the most popular school for students in the Southwest Region . This large private for-profit school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 15,633 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Grand Canyon University accumulate an average of $31,746 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $174.After graduating from Grand Canyon University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,396 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, the large private for-profit school awarded 8,013 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,058 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $146, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UOPX - Arizona graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,608 during the early year of their career. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Texas A&M University - College Station helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Southwest Region . Texas A&M College Station is a public institution located in College Station, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,555 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,847 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $304, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Texas A&M College Station, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,177 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
The programs at The University of Texas at Arlington helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Southwest Region . UT Arlington is located in Arlington, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5,439 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $23,737 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $163, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UT Arlington graduates make an average of $48,602 annually. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Arizona State University - Skysong is a great place for students. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, the large public school handed out 5,253 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,869 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $304 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, ASU - Skysong graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,067 during the early year of their career. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, the large public school awarded 5,015 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from ASU - Tempe accumulate an average of $24,436 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $329. Once they receive their degree, ASU - Tempe graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,374 during the early year of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
The University of Texas at Austin ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region list. UT Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 4,394 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $20,281 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $270, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UT Austin graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,632 during the early year of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. UT Dallas is located in Richardson, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,635 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,709 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $225, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UT Dallas, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,037 during the early years of their career. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
Lamar University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Lamar University is located in Beaumont, Texas and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,630 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Lamar University accumulate an average of $28,227 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Lamar University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,498 during the early years of their career. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Arizona came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Tucson, Arizona, the large public school handed out 3,508 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,823 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $407, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, University of Arizona graduates make an average of $46,654 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Texas Tech University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #11 on the list. Texas Tech University is a large public school located in Lubbock, Texas that handed out 2,826 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,578 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $273, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Texas Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,903 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
University of Houston landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. UH is located in Houston, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,691 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UH accumulate an average of $23,948 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $248 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UH graduates make an average of $48,769 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
University of North Texas came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Denton, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,643 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,773 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $236, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UNT graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,493 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
With a ranking of #14, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. University of Oklahoma is located in Norman, Oklahoma and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,350 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $23,983 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $471 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, University of Oklahoma graduates make an average of $50,499 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Southern Methodist University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Dallas, Texas, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2,153 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SMU accumulate an average of $21,294 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $446 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SMU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $62,901 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #16 on the list. UT Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,036 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,544 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UT Rio Grande Valley graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,119 during the early year of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Texas Woman’s University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. TWU is located in Denton, Texas and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,906 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $26,747 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $82.After graduating from TWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,718 during the early years of their career. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #18, Northern Arizona University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, the large public school awarded 1,694 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,450 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $324. Once they receive their degree, NAU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,197 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
The University of Texas at San Antonio ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region list. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a large public school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 1,619 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,833 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $134. During the early years of their career, UTSA graduates make an average of $43,609 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
With a ranking of #20, Baylor University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Baylor is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waco, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,591 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,143 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $686 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Baylor graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,980 during the early year of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #21, University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. UNM is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,582 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,068 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UNM graduates make an average of $45,271 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Texas State University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in San Marcos, Texas, the large public school awarded 1,491 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,697 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $233 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Texas State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,351 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Texas A&M University - Commerce came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Commerce, Texas, and it awarded 1,411 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Texas A&M Commerce accumulate an average of $25,054 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $166, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Texas A&M Commerce graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,726 during the early year of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
American InterContinental University - Online came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. AIU Online is located in Schaumburg, Arizona and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,329 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from AIU Online accumulate an average of $42,789 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $116 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, AIU Online graduates make an average of $36,597 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Oklahoma State University - Main Campus ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Southwest Region list. OSU is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,413 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,108 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $339, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, OSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,215 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | Houston, TX |
| 28 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | Lubbock, TX |
| 29 | Rice University | Houston, TX |
| 30 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | Durant, OK |
| 31 | The University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler, TX |
| 32 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, TX |
| 33 | University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio, TX |
| 34 | University of Houston - Clear Lake | Houston, TX |
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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