by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 144 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Hillsborough Community College, our #1 best value for value in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,142. Early-career value graduates make about $44,101. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Community College earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Value graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chattahoochee Technical College earned it the #4 place for value. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Value graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Value graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,651. Value graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
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Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,909. Early-career value graduates make about $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Miami Dade College landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Value graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Value graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Piedmont Community College landed the #9 spot for value value this year. South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Polkton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,098 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of South Piedmont Community College earn a median of $39,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Florida State College landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $18,123 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $44,690. Set against $18,123 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Value graduates carry a median of $17,900 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $38,673. That is a strong return on a $17,900 median debt.
Forsyth Technical Community College placed #12 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,374. Value graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $38,094 early in their careers. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,869. Early-career value graduates make about $41,449. That is a strong return on a $27,869 median debt. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #14 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Edison State College earned the #15 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,401, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,653. Value graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University placed #17 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Value graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $58,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Tidewater Community College placed #18 among the best values for value. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $14,001 in student loans. Value graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $35,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palm Beach State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,050, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Value graduates carry a median of $12,518 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $42,501. Set against $12,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshall University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Value graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $51,959. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
American Public University System came in at #21 for value in value this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for value graduates is $32,294. Value graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $49,622 early in their careers. Set against $32,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Value graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #23 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $19,046 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $28,173. That is a strong return on a $19,046 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands placed #24 among the best values for value. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,868. Value graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #25 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $39,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
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This ranking is produced 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 · 144 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.