by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/veterinary-animal-health-technology-technician-and-veterinary-assistant/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Crowder College this year. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,370. Set against $9,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moberly Area Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Students borrow a median of $12,507 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $44,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,664. Early-career value graduates make about $47,560. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Students borrow a median of $7,934 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $37,631. That is a strong return on a $7,934 median debt.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.