by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/digital-marketing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 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.
Our analysis ranked Wilmington University the best value for a degree in value in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Students borrow a median of $20,430 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $39,794 early in their careers. Set against $20,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Goldey Beacom College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Goldey Beacom College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wilmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,940. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,743. Value graduates of Goldey Beacom College earn a median of $57,634 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,743 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, which ranked #3. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $26,676 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $39,247. That is a strong return on a $26,676 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at William Paterson University Of New Jersey, which ranked #4. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,500. Early-career value graduates make about $37,740. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Fashion Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,721 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $37,663 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
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Elizabethtown College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,950. Students borrow a median of $26,599 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $57,397. Set against $26,599 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
St Johns University New York landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,529. Value graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $57,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Messiah College came in at #8 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Students borrow a median of $26,195 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $45,748. Set against $26,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Adelphi University placed #9 among the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Early-career value graduates make about $42,200. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
