by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/applied-statistics/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in value, no school beat University Of Delaware this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,861. Early-career value graduates make about $54,155. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #2 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the best values for value. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
A rank of #3 makes Rochester Institute Of Technology one of the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,210. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,491. Early-career value graduates make about $63,515. Set against $27,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.
Villanova University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. Value graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
