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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 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.
Leading the list is University Of North Texas At Dallas, our #1 best value for value in Texas. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Value graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At San Antonio one of the best values for value. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,312. Early-career value graduates make about $49,955. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #5 makes Midwestern State University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $49,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Houston came in at #6 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Value graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Angelo State University came in at #7 for value in value this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $46,134. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of North Texas came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #9 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,632. Early-career value graduates make about $55,304. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $47,456. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #11 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. 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 Wesleyan University earned the #12 position 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,582. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,461. 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. Texas Wesleyan University admits about 69% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #13 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,275. 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 Christian University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Value graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Baylor University earned the #15 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Value graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.