by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 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.
Pima Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Value graduates carry a median of $9,819 in student loans. Value graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $34,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,819 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Value graduates carry a median of $15,044 in student loans. Value graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $37,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,044 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes San Juan College one of the best values for value. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,500. Early-career value graduates make about $43,730. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $28,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Palo Alto College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Palo Alto College is a large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,430 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $29,062. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
Tulsa Community College placed #6 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,779 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,564. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,750. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City generally make around $32,320. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
Lone Star College System placed #8 among the best values for value. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical student debt for value graduates is $10,425. Early-career value graduates make about $38,152. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Pima Medical Institute East Valley ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Mesa, Pima Medical Institute East Valley is a small private for-profit university. Value graduates carry a median of $14,689 in student loans. Value graduates of Pima Medical Institute East Valley earn a median of $30,864 early in their careers. Set against $14,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Medical Institute Phoenix ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Pima Medical Institute Phoenix is a small private for-profit institution. Value graduates carry a median of $13,584 in student loans. Value graduates of Pima Medical Institute Phoenix earn a median of $32,842 early in their careers.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,531. Value graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $34,474 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa Community College landed the #12 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Value graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blinn College placed #13 among the best values for value. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Value graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Tarleton State University earned the #14 position for value in value this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,222. Value graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Vet Tech Institute Of Houston came in at #15 for value in value this year. Vet Tech Institute Of Houston is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,324. Value graduates carry a median of $14,804 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $30,665. That is a strong return on a $14,804 median debt. Vet Tech Institute Of Houston admits about 81% of applicants.
Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque came in at #16 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Pima Medical Institute Albuquerque earn a median of $31,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Medical Institute Houston came in at #17 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Pima Medical Institute Houston is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,689. Early-career value graduates make about $30,864. Set against $14,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Medical Institution San Antonio landed the #18 spot for value value this year. Pima Medical Institution San Antonio is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,689. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Pima Medical Institution San Antonio generally make around $30,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community Care College earned the #19 position for value in value this year. Community Care College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. Value graduates carry a median of $8,228 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Community Care College generally make around $20,555. That is a strong return on a $8,228 median debt.
Carrington College Tucson placed #20 among the best values for value. Carrington College Tucson is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tucson. Typical student debt for value graduates is $7,343. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Carrington College Tucson generally make around $25,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carrington College Mesa landed the #21 spot for value value this year. Carrington College Mesa is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Mesa. Typical student debt for value graduates is $7,343. Early-career value graduates make about $25,735. That is a strong return on a $7,343 median debt.
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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.