DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
2026 Best Value Value Schools in Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Alabama State University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Alabama. Set in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,248, with out-of-state students paying around $19,576. Value graduates carry a median of $33,709 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $37,721. Set against $33,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alabama State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Value graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $55,413. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
ADBLOCK #116
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/) 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.
