by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/general/) 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.
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.
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 best value for value in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Arizona State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Phoenix Arizona, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Typical student debt for value graduates is $35,323. Value graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $60,453 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Value graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $46,298. That is a strong return on a $23,925 median debt. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
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University Of Arizona came in at #6 for value in value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Value graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Value graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #8 position for value in value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. 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. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas Tech University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Value graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Value graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #10 for value in value this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,031. Value graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,712. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $70,632. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University landed the #12 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. Value graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,888. Set against $23,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.