by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in value, no school beat El Centro College this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $15,044 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $37,896. That is a strong return on a $15,044 median debt.
Palo Alto College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,430 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $29,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $38,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Kingsville earned it the #4 place for value. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,531. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $34,474. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Blinn College, which ranked #5. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Vet Tech Institute Of Houston placed #6 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Houston, Vet Tech Institute Of Houston is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,804 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $30,665. That is a strong return on a $14,804 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Tarleton State University landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,222. Early-career value graduates make about $50,532. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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Pima Medical Institute Houston ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Pima Medical Institute Houston is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students borrow a median of $14,689 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $30,864. Set against $14,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Medical Institution San Antonio placed #9 among the best values for value. Pima Medical Institution San Antonio is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Value graduates carry a median of $14,689 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $30,864. That is a strong return on a $14,689 median debt.
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.