2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Far Western Region
[Value](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/stem-educational-methods/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Far Western Region
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
Leading the list is California State University San Bernardino, our #1 best value for value in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,566. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $25,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Central Washington University, which ranked #2. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,353 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $48,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Oregon University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,514, compared with $32,169 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,458 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $47,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
