by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/veterinary-animal-health-technology-technician-and-veterinary-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Macomb Community College, our #1 best value for value in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $38,126. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Joliet Junior College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $36,988. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #3. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Value graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Value graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $32,820 early in their careers. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $31,456 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State Community College earned it the #5 place for value. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the value program here. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
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Parkland College placed #6 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Typical student debt for value graduates is $10,168. Early-career value graduates make about $39,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Value graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $35,981. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #8 among the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $16,545 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $35,595. That is a strong return on a $16,545 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Value graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $44,020. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Heartland Community College earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $13,110. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Heartland Community College generally make around $48,710. Set against $13,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox College Inc earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Tinley Park, Fox College Inc is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,670 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,722. Value graduates of Fox College Inc earn a median of $36,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for value. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,098. Value graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $43,747 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,098 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Madison Area Technical College earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $34,698. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College placed #14 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Value graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas landed the #15 spot for value value this year. Set in the town of New Philadelphia, Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,211 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Kent State University At Tuscarawas earn a median of $33,716 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Baker College Of Flint ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Owosso, Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,000. Students borrow a median of $19,603 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $35,142. Set against $19,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baker College Of Flint admits about 82% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #17 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $41,400 early in their careers. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
International Business College Indianapolis earned the #18 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, International Business College Indianapolis is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,170. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,624. Value graduates of International Business College Indianapolis earn a median of $30,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,624 median debt. International Business College Indianapolis admits about 75% of applicants.
Caris College landed the #19 spot for value value this year. Caris College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Jeffersonville.
Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College came in at #20 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,699 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $18,007 in student loans. Value graduates of Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College earn a median of $30,486 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,007 median debt.
Stautzenberger College Maumee came in at #21 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Maumee, Stautzenberger College Maumee is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,699. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,219. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Stautzenberger College Maumee generally make around $31,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Career College placed #22 among the best values for value. Milwaukee Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Milwaukee. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $30,488. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo landed the #23 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Portage, Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $7,942 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo earn a median of $23,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,942 median debt.
Ross Medical Education Center Canton placed #24 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Canton, Ross Medical Education Center Canton is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $7,942 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Ross Medical Education Center Canton earn a median of $23,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,942 median debt.
Valley College Cleveland placed #25 among the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Cleveland, Valley College Cleveland is a small private for-profit university. Value graduates carry a median of $15,020 in student loans. Value graduates of Valley College Cleveland earn a median of $26,978 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,020 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in value:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.