by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/veterinary-animal-health-technology-technician-and-veterinary-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 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.
Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in value in the Southwest Region. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for value graduates is $9,819. Value graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $34,497 early in their careers. Set against $9,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $15,044 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $37,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,044 median debt.
San Juan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,500. Value graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $43,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for value. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $28,323. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Palo Alto College, which ranked #5. Palo Alto College is a large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Value graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. Value graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College came in at #6 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City placed #7 among the best values for value. Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $3,779 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,564. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,750. Early-career value graduates make about $32,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Lone Star College System earned the #8 position for value in value this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $38,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Medical Institute East Valley ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Pima Medical Institute East Valley is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Mesa. Students borrow a median of $14,689 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $30,864. That is a strong return on a $14,689 median debt.
Pima Medical Institute Phoenix ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Pima Medical Institute Phoenix is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Value graduates carry a median of $13,584 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $32,842.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $34,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Mesa Community College came in at #12 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blinn College landed the #13 spot for value value this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,465. 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.
Tarleton State University came in at #14 for value in value this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. 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. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
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Vet Tech Institute Of Houston earned the #15 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Vet Tech Institute Of Houston is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,324. Value graduates carry a median of $14,804 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $30,665. That is a strong return on a $14,804 median debt. Vet Tech Institute Of Houston admits about 81% of applicants.
Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Albuquerque. Typical student debt for value graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque generally make around $31,470. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Medical Institute Houston ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Houston, Pima Medical Institute Houston is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $14,689 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Pima Medical Institute Houston earn a median of $30,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Medical Institution San Antonio ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Pima Medical Institution San Antonio is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,689. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Pima Medical Institution San Antonio generally make around $30,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community Care College earned the #19 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Community Care College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Value graduates carry a median of $8,228 in student loans. Value graduates of Community Care College earn a median of $20,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,228 median debt.
Carrington College Tucson came in at #20 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Carrington College Tucson is a small private for-profit university. Value graduates carry a median of $7,343 in student loans. Value graduates of Carrington College Tucson earn a median of $25,735 early in their careers. Set against $7,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carrington College Mesa landed the #21 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Carrington College Mesa is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for value graduates is $7,343. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Carrington College Mesa generally make around $25,735. Set against $7,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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This ranking is produced 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.