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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 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.
Leading the list is Texas A And M International University, our #1 best value for value in Texas. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,095. Early-career value graduates make about $42,029. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Value graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $51,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin, which ranked #4. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,052. Value graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Value graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #6 for value in value this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,500. Early-career value graduates make about $49,385. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Lamar University landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #8 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,255. Early-career value graduates make about $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #9 position for value in value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $55,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,632. Value graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $64,946 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Value graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #12 among the best values for value. 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, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,418. Value graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $55,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,418 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #13 for value in value this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $17,961 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $46,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University placed #14 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,271. Early-career value graduates make about $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas Southern University landed the #15 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,637, while out-of-state students pay about $21,473. Typical student debt for value graduates is $35,330. Early-career value graduates make about $52,223. Set against $35,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Tarleton State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $67,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Wayland Baptist University placed #17 among the best values for value. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. In-state tuition and fees average $23,782. Value graduates carry a median of $30,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $59,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayland Baptist University admits about 56% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #18 position for value in value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $55,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.