by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 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.
Leading the list is Grossmont College, our #1 best value for value in California. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Moreno Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for value. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,430. Early-career value graduates make about $66,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Norco College one of the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $8,767. Early-career value graduates make about $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
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Long Beach City College landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for value graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #7 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
East Los Angeles College landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for value graduates is $8,180. Early-career value graduates make about $33,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jose State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rio Hondo College earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Located in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,388, compared with $9,884 for out-of-state students. 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.
University Of California Davis landed the #11 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $65,299. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
National University landed the #12 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Value graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from National University generally make around $50,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of San Diego ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $97,944 early in their careers. Set against $23,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Southern California landed the #14 spot for value value this year. 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. Value graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.