by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 63 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.
Leading the list is Florida Polytechnic University, our #1 best value for value in the Southeast Region. Florida Polytechnic University is a small public school located in the rural area of Lakeland. Students from in state pay about $4,940 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $7,500. Early-career value graduates make about $64,823. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Value graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Miami Dade College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Value graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,620. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
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Middle Tennessee State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Value graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Value graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Memphis landed the #7 spot for value value this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Mississippi State University placed #8 among the best values for value. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,969 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $47,383 early in their careers. Set against $23,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #10 spot for value value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Value graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $51,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University placed #11 among the best values for value. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $53,824. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Broward College placed #12 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,830, while out-of-state students pay about $8,952. Value graduates carry a median of $13,110 in student loans. Value graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,110 median debt.
College Of William And Mary ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,935. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,338. That is a strong return on a $18,935 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,627. Value graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Piedmont International University earned the #16 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,575. Students borrow a median of $28,154 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Piedmont International University earn a median of $61,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,154 median debt. Piedmont International University admits about 40% of applicants.
Duke University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,296. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach landed the #18 spot for value value this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,074. Students borrow a median of $22,845 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $70,246. Set against $22,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach admits about 65% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.