by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in value, no school beat Holyoke Community College this year. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Typical student debt for value graduates is $9,763. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $39,979. That is a strong return on a $9,763 median debt.
Mount Wachusett Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,497. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $43,883. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned it the #3 place for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $42,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.