by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/business-analytics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 22 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.
For return on investment in value, no school beat University Of North Texas At Dallas this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,694. Value graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,312. Value graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Commerce earned it the #4 place for value. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Value graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Value graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #5 makes Midwestern State University one of the best values for value. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Value graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Value graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
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University Of Houston landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Angelo State University landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,237. Value graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Value graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University came in at #9 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,632. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,531. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #12 for value in value this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,659. Value graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $47,456 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #13 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Wesleyan University came in at #14 for value in value this year. Texas Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $39,582 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,461 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Texas Wesleyan University earn a median of $59,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Texas Christian University earned the #15 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Value graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $60,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,928. Value graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.