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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in value, no school beat University Of Phoenix Arizona this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $35,323 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #2. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Advancing Technology, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tempe, University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,800. Value graduates carry a median of $29,802 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Advancing Technology generally make around $40,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Advancing Technology admits about 98% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Grand Canyon University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $37,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,974. Value graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $74,905. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
1
2
3
4
5
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.