by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/general/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Queensborough Community College the best value for a degree in value in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $8,884. Early-career value graduates make about $26,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Coppin State University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $31,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coppin State University admits about 46% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Prince Georges Community College one of the best values for value. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Value graduates carry a median of $13,949 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $56,960. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Long Island University C W Post Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,432. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,531. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $31,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.