by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-biomedical-and-clinical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 13 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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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.
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Value graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $60,387. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Morehead State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Value graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Value graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $41,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,896 median debt. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at The University Of Tennessee Martin, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,770. Early-career value graduates make about $40,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #4 makes Lincoln Memorial University one of the best values for value. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,938. Value graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $64,307. Set against $20,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,393. Early-career value graduates make about $60,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Southwest Florida College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Southwest Florida College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $15,125 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $23,641 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Southwest Florida College generally make around $36,455. That is a strong return on a $23,641 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.