by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/business-analytics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 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.
Leading the list is Florida Atlantic University, our #1 best value for value in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,212. Early-career value graduates make about $49,340. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Polytechnic University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Florida Polytechnic University is a small public school located in the rural area of Lakeland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $21,004. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $64,823. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of North Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Value graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $49,208 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #4. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Value graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Value graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $51,884. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
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Western Kentucky University came in at #6 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Kentucky came in at #8 for value in value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
George Mason University earned the #9 position for value in value this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University placed #10 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Value graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $51,103. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,348. Value graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $49,718 early in their careers. Set against $21,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
Oglethorpe University landed the #12 spot for value value this year. Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $47,590. Value graduates carry a median of $26,800 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $34,113. Set against $26,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oglethorpe University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Charleston earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,617. Students borrow a median of $22,646 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $64,407. Set against $22,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Charleston admits about 62% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #14 position for value in value this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
High Point University landed the #15 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,312. Value graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $113,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
