by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/ethnic-cultural-other/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 47 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.
Leading the list is Fresno City College, our #1 best value for value in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Value graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Value graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Value graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $25,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Value graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $27,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sierra College earned it the #4 place for value. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Value graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Value graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Value graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $26,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos came in at #6 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento placed #7 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Value graduates carry a median of $18,120 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $30,628. That is a strong return on a $18,120 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Stanford University placed #8 among the best values for value. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for value graduates is $10,492. Early-career value graduates make about $41,156. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University East Bay landed the #9 spot for value value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,638 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $47,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $13,486 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $40,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego placed #11 among the best values for value. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,747. Value graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $30,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Irvine placed #12 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $18,998 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $26,712. That is a strong return on a $18,998 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $31,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #14 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,056. Value graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $31,459 early in their careers. Set against $15,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Humboldt State University earned the #15 position for value in value this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,533. Value graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $30,844 early in their careers. Set against $15,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #16 for value in value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Portland State University earned the #17 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,500. Early-career value graduates make about $32,441. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #18 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $20,109. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Value graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $31,443. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
Sonoma State University placed #20 among the best values for value. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, compared with $21,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $35,263 early in their careers. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #21 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Value graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $37,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Davis came in at #22 for value in value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $14,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $32,563. Set against $14,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
California State University Chico placed #23 among the best values for value. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Value graduates carry a median of $18,591 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $45,591. Set against $18,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University landed the #24 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,499. Value graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $29,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,499 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Laney College landed the #25 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Oakland, Laney College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,258, while out-of-state students pay about $9,898. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,282.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in value:
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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
