by our College Data Analytics Team
[Schools](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value schools schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in schools, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in schools, no school beat Universidad Metropolitana this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Schools graduates carry a median of $15,074 in student loans. Early-career schools graduates make about $26,716. Set against $15,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in schools will find it at Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla, which ranked #2. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aguadilla. Students from in state pay about $5,742 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for schools graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, schools degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla generally make around $11,973. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla admits about 42% of applicants.
Caribbean Forensic And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value schools schools. Set in the city of San Juan, Caribbean Forensic And Technical College is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $20,691.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Universidad Del Turabo earned it the #4 place for schools. Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gurabo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Typical student debt for schools graduates is $14,155. Schools graduates of Universidad Del Turabo earn a median of $31,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value schools schools. Located in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Typical student debt for schools graduates is $6,325. Schools graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce earn a median of $23,578 early in their careers. Set against $6,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce admits about 34% of applicants.
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Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value schools schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Schools graduates carry a median of $5,750 in student loans. Schools graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earn a median of $12,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Puerto Rico Carolina ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value schools schools. Set in the suburb of Carolina, University Of Puerto Rico Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,986 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $30,626 ten years out. University Of Puerto Rico Carolina admits about 54% of applicants.
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.