by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 51 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.
Grossmont College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Moreno Valley College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,643. Value graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Value graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $66,598. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Norco College, which ranked #4. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the value program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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California State University San Bernardino earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Long Beach City College earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the value program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #8 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Value graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Value graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $29,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Seattle Community College North Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Seattle Community College North Campus earn a median of $48,739 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Los Angeles College landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. That is a strong return on a $8,180 median debt.
Chemeketa Community College earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,345 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,040. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,755. Early-career value graduates make about $45,440. Set against $15,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jose State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rio Hondo College earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Set in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,388, while out-of-state students pay about $9,884. Students borrow a median of $15,510 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $95,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Green River Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
University Of California Davis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,404. Early-career value graduates make about $65,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Chaminade University Of Honolulu landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Chaminade University Of Honolulu is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,874. Students borrow a median of $25,096 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Chaminade University Of Honolulu generally make around $48,383. Set against $25,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Charter College Anchorage placed #17 among the best values for value. Charter College Anchorage is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Anchorage. Students from in state pay about $18,341 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,411 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Charter College Anchorage earn a median of $41,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,411 median debt.
National University earned the #18 position for value in value this year. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $50,462. Set against $30,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of San Diego came in at #19 for value in value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $97,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Value graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Seattle University placed #21 among the best values for value. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $37,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seattle University admits about 77% of applicants.
City University Of Seattle earned the #22 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,929. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of City University Of Seattle earn a median of $76,698 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.