2027 Best Value Value Schools in Pennsylvania
[Value](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-information-systems-cis/human-centered-technology-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value value schools.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in Pennsylvania
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,062. Early-career value graduates make about $61,674. Set against $26,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Thomas Jefferson University earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,355 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,256 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $64,243. Set against $32,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thomas Jefferson University admits about 81% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $138,781. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $100,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Drexel University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $67,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
