by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cyber-computer-forensics-and-counterterrorism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 20 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 Sinclair Community College the best value for a degree in value in the Great Lakes Region. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne County Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,112 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,820 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wayne County Community College District generally make around $48,892. Set against $20,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ivy Tech Community College earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $4,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. Value graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Indiana State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,582. Early-career value graduates make about $53,952. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
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Eastern Illinois University earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,293. Value graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in value this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. That is a strong return on a $25,347 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #8 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for value graduates is $28,000. Value graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,673 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,213. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Tiffin University earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Located in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,790. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Tiffin University earn a median of $38,994 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.