by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/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 6 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 Kellogg Community College this year. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,432. Value graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.
Wayne County Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,112, while out-of-state students pay about $4,067. Value graduates carry a median of $20,820 in student loans. Value graduates of Wayne County Community College District earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. Set against $20,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at St Clair County Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,212, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,379. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $32,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Olivet College earned it the #4 place for value. Set in the rural area of Olivet, Olivet College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,068. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Early-career value graduates make about $48,328. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.