by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/engineering/electrical-and-computer-engineering/general/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 best value for value in the Southwest Region. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
A rank of #2 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for value. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Value graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Value graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,928. Value graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Set against $23,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.