by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/energy-systems-technology-technician/) 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 11 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.
Ferris State University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Michigan. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Value graduates carry a median of $20,308 in student loans. Value graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $67,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,308 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.