by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Rio Salado College the best value for a degree in value in Arizona. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Phoenix Arizona, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Typical student debt for value graduates is $45,656. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $60,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,985 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for value. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $44,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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Grand Canyon University earned the #6 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 $30,027 in student loans. Value graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $63,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.