by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/engineering/energy-systems-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in value, no school beat Oregon Institute Of Technology this year. Set in the town of Klamath Falls, Oregon Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,260, with out-of-state students paying around $37,196. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,551. Early-career value graduates make about $63,715. Set against $27,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.