by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/energy-systems-technology-technician/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 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.
For return on investment in value, no school beat Texas State Technical College this year. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $40,747 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Texas Tech University one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Value graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Tulsa came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,546. Students borrow a median of $23,638 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $66,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Tulsa admits about 62% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Refrigeration School Inc earned it the #4 place for value. Refrigeration School Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,919. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Refrigeration School Inc generally make around $51,772. That is a strong return on a $19,919 median debt.
This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.