by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/ethnic-cultural-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 7 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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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 Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Value graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $34,007. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for value. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,094 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $32,083 early in their careers. Set against $14,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $20,532 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $26,973. Set against $20,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #4 place for value. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Value graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Gallaudet University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Washington, Gallaudet University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,654. Students borrow a median of $28,125 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $31,541. Set against $28,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Value graduates carry a median of $24,469 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $56,926. Set against $24,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,825 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $60,523. Set against $26,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.