by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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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 Vermont tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,607. Early-career value graduates make about $44,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the best values for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,234. Value graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,941. Early-career value graduates make about $40,436. That is a strong return on a $18,941 median debt. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brown University earned it the #4 place for value. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Value graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Value graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
Dartmouth College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,989. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Set against $16,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
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Mount Holyoke College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Students borrow a median of $22,041 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $35,038. Set against $22,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #8 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,765 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,259. Value graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $91,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.