by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/health-care-professions/bioethics-medical-ethics/nursing-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 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.
Suny Empire State College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in New York. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Mercy College one of the best values for value. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Value graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $140,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,625, compared with $21,215 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,056 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $56,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Suny College Of Technology At Delhi, which ranked #4. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Delhi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,772, compared with $12,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,303. Early-career value graduates make about $48,647. Set against $20,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stony Brook University earned it the #5 place for value. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $115,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
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University Of Rochester ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Value graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $91,393. That is a strong return on a $21,517 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Swedish Institute A College Of Health Sciences landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of New York, Swedish Institute A College Of Health Sciences is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,079. Students borrow a median of $24,013 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Swedish Institute A College Of Health Sciences earn a median of $44,159 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,013 median debt.
New York University placed #8 among the best values for value. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,897. Value graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
