by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-systems-networking/cloud-computing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 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.
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in value in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,417. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $45,650. That is a strong return on a $13,417 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Victoria College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,976, while out-of-state students pay about $5,328. Value graduates carry a median of $10,910 in student loans. Value graduates of Victoria College earn a median of $50,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Glendale Community College Glendale Az, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa Community College earned it the #5 place for value. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,750. Early-career value graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #6 for value in value this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $39,645. Value graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $65,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $39,645 median debt.
Blinn College landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,465. Early-career value graduates make about $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.