by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/health-care-professions/bioethics-medical-ethics/nursing-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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 University Of Southern Maine this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,593. Early-career value graduates make about $47,003. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Framingham State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,872. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $108,704. That is a strong return on a $25,872 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Post University earned it the #3 place for value. Post University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Waterbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,922. Value graduates carry a median of $35,364 in student loans. Value graduates of Post University earn a median of $50,494 early in their careers. Set against $35,364 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chicopee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,325. Value graduates carry a median of $27,854 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $44,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.