by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 71 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.
For return on investment in value, no school beat Montgomery College this year. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Students borrow a median of $11,230 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Saint Peters College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $50,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Value graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $71,549. That is a strong return on a $24,755 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Delaware one of the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,861. Value graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Maryland University College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $65,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,276 median debt.
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Monroe College Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $18,464. Students borrow a median of $20,701 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $40,329. That is a strong return on a $20,701 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,330. Early-career value graduates make about $44,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Utica College came in at #9 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,930 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,237. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Utica College generally make around $53,602. That is a strong return on a $27,237 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern University earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,400. Students borrow a median of $28,584 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $50,474. Set against $28,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Mercyhurst College landed the #11 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,770. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,705. Value graduates of Mercyhurst College earn a median of $46,009 early in their careers. Set against $25,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #12 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,529. Value graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
St Lawrence University earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Set in the town of Canton, St Lawrence University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,192. Value graduates of St Lawrence University earn a median of $39,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,192 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Clarkson University earned the #14 position for value in value this year. Located in the town of Potsdam, Clarkson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,398. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,566. Early-career value graduates make about $74,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clarkson University admits about 77% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lehigh University landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,008. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. Set against $23,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
New York University earned the #17 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,897. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $53,260 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans. Value graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $65,421 early in their careers. Set against $26,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Drexel University landed the #19 spot for value value this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Value graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $67,556 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
American University landed the #20 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,139. Value graduates of American University earn a median of $54,585 early in their careers. Set against $24,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Fordham University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,470. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $59,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.