by our College Data Analytics Team
[Schools](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for schools students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in schools, balancing cost against outcomes.
Universidad Metropolitana earned the #1 spot for value among schools schools in Puerto Rico. Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Typical student debt for schools graduates is $15,074. Soon after graduation, schools degree recipients from Universidad Metropolitana generally make around $26,716. That is a strong return on a $15,074 median debt.
Universidad Del Este is a great value for students pursuing a degree in schools, landing the #2 spot this year. Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Carolina. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Typical student debt for schools graduates is $15,167. Schools graduates of Universidad Del Este earn a median of $20,724 early in their careers. Set against $15,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla one of the best values for schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aguadilla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,742. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the schools program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in schools will find it at Caribbean Forensic And Technical College, which ranked #4. Caribbean Forensic And Technical College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700. Graduates go on to earn a median of $20,691 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in schools will find it at Universidad Del Turabo, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. 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.
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Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce came in at #6 for value in schools this year. Set in the rural area of Mercedita, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for schools graduates is $6,325. Early-career schools graduates make about $23,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value schools schools. Located in the city of Caguas, Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas is a mid-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Schools graduates carry a median of $5,887 in student loans. Soon after graduation, schools degree recipients from Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas generally make around $22,168. Set against $5,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon landed the #8 spot for schools value this year. Set in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Typical student debt for schools graduates is $5,750. Early-career schools graduates make about $12,517. That is a strong return on a $5,750 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Carolina ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value schools schools. University Of Puerto Rico Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Carolina. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,986. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,626 ten years after entry. University Of Puerto Rico Carolina admits about 54% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.