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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 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.
Phoenix College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Arizona. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Value graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Value graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Mesa Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Phoenix Arizona, which ranked #3. 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. Early-career value graduates make about $60,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College came in at #4 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,084. Early-career value graduates make about $48,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Advancing Technology placed #6 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Tempe, University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,802 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Advancing Technology earn a median of $40,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Grand Canyon University came in at #7 for value in value this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Value graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $37,481. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,500. Early-career value graduates make about $74,905. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.