by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 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.
For return on investment in value, no school beat Pennsylvania State University World Campus this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $59,098. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $83,208. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Carnegie Mellon University earned it the #5 place for value. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Value graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $66,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
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Villanova University came in at #6 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,577 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. Villanova University admits about 27% 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.