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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Our analysis ranked Charter Oak State College the best value for a degree in value in Connecticut. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,506. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,584. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Charter Oak State College generally make around $62,864. Set against $23,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of New Haven earned it the #2 place for value. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $47,332. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of $47,091 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sacred Heart University earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,404. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $62,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.