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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 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 Harvard University this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $133,307. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Massachusetts Boston one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,236. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $67,584. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westfield State University earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,910 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $46,645. That is a strong return on a $25,910 median debt. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Value graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Clark University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,153. Value graduates of Clark University earn a median of $61,207 early in their careers. Set against $26,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
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Anna Maria College landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Located in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,571. Value graduates carry a median of $26,734 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $110,456. Set against $26,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Suffolk University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $78,504. That is a strong return on a $26,670 median debt. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
Northeastern University landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $66,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.