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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 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.
Leading the list is Rose State College, our #1 best value for value in the Southwest Region. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $11,407. Typical student debt for value graduates is $10,286. Early-career value graduates make about $58,988. That is a strong return on a $10,286 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Value graduates carry a median of $25,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $23,495. That is a strong return on a $25,432 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Phoenix College, which ranked #3. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,204. Value graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Northeastern State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Value graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa Community College earned it the #5 place for value. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Value graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Value graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
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University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $60,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arizona placed #7 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Value graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Scottsdale Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Value graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,337. Early-career value graduates make about $59,230. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,350. Early-career value graduates make about $38,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Texas Tech University landed the #12 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Value graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of The Incarnate Word ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,090 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,028 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $51,876. Set against $28,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #14 for value in value this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Value graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $38,792. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Advancing Technology came in at #15 for value in value this year. University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $18,800 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $29,802 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Advancing Technology generally make around $40,489. Set against $29,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys University placed #16 among the best values for value. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,434. Value graduates carry a median of $25,040 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from St Marys University generally make around $42,786. That is a strong return on a $25,040 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Grand Canyon University earned the #17 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $37,481. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott came in at #18 for value in value this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Prescott. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,974. Value graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott generally make around $74,905. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University landed the #19 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Value graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.