by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/financial-forensics-and-fraud-investigation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 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.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in New York. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,475. Early-career value graduates make about $57,403. That is a strong return on a $14,475 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Utica College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,930. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,237. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Utica College generally make around $69,701. Set against $27,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Hilbert College one of the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Hamburg, Hilbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,740. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Early-career value graduates make about $41,196. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.