by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Colorado Mountain College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,953. Early-career value graduates make about $48,694. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.
Eastern Idaho Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Idaho Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $6,750. Value graduates carry a median of $17,066 in student loans. Value graduates of Eastern Idaho Technical College earn a median of $48,314 early in their careers. Set against $17,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Idaho State University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.