by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/public/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Northern Arizona University, our #1 best value for public in the United States. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for public graduates is $25,000. Early-career public graduates make about $31,410. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $30,941 to complete the public program here. Early-career public graduates make about $37,338. Set against $30,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Emporia State University one of the best values for public. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Public graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $29,313. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas State University San Marcos earned it the #4 place for public. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public program here. Public graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $37,263 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public graduates is $25,750. Early-career public graduates make about $31,928. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
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Eastern Michigan University landed the #6 spot for public value this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Public graduates carry a median of $35,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #7 for value in public this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public program here. Soon after graduation, public degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $32,323. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #8 position for value in public this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Typical student debt for public graduates is $20,531. Early-career public graduates make about $58,507. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #9 among the best values for public. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the public program here. Soon after graduation, public degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $35,528. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Tarleton State University earned the #10 position for value in public this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the public program here. Public graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Duquesne University came in at #11 for value in public this year. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Public graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Public graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $29,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Public rankings across degree levels:
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
