by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 22 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.
Rice University tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Value graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Value graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,842. Value graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Value graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $60,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of North Texas, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Value graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Houston Downtown one of the best values for value. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,925. Value graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $46,298 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,925 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Arizona earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas Tech University landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,031. Early-career value graduates make about $64,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,712. Early-career value graduates make about $70,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University earned the #12 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $49,888. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
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.