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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 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 Western Iowa Tech Community College this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $35,742. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Eastern Iowa Community College District one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,995. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.