by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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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.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for value. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Value graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,796. 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. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Lamar University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Value graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
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Midwestern State University came in at #6 for value in value this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Value graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,638. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northeastern State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,465. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Value graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Value graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $46,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #10 position for value in value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,817. Early-career value graduates make about $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University landed the #11 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #12 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Value graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $46,298 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #13 position for value in value this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Value graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $55,304. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #14 among the best values for value. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,531. Early-career value graduates make about $58,507. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #15 for value in value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #16 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, 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. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas Wesleyan University placed #17 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,582 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,461. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas Wesleyan University generally make around $59,434. That is a strong return on a $26,461 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University placed #18 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Value graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Baylor University came in at #19 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.