by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/stem-educational-methods/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for value in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for value graduates is $10,500. Early-career value graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Suny Empire State College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Value graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $62,860. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercy College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Value graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $45,448 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $37,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Messiah College came in at #6 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $48,957. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Elizabethtown College earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Value graduates of Elizabethtown College earn a median of $57,397 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elizabethtown College admits about 78% of applicants.
Lebanon Valley College landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,080. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Early-career value graduates make about $51,300. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Arcadia University landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,610. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,921. Value graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $54,496 early in their careers. Set against $26,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Desales University placed #10 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,800. Value graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Desales University generally make around $46,852. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Hofstra University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,660. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,359. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $55,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.