by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/ethnic-cultural-other/) 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 13 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 Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in value in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for value graduates is $10,698. Early-career value graduates make about $34,007. Set against $10,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Value graduates carry a median of $14,094 in student loans. Value graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $32,083 early in their careers. Set against $14,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for value. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Value graduates carry a median of $20,532 in student loans. Value graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $26,973 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,532 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $8,794. Value graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The New School earned it the #5 place for value. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,460. Early-career value graduates make about $38,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.