[Military Technologies & Applied Sciences](/majors/military-technologies-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 104 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value military technologies & applied sciences schools.
Finding the Best Value Military Technologies & Applied Sciences School for You
The military technologies & applied sciences program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Military Technologies & Applied Sciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Military Technologies & Applied Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in military technologies & applied sciences, no school beat Cochise College this year. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $17,057 to complete the military technologies & applied sciences program here. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $47,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,057 median debt.
Fayetteville State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value military technologies & applied sciences schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,869 in student loans. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $41,449 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,869 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in military technologies & applied sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for military technologies & applied sciences graduates is $25,122. Early-career military technologies & applied sciences graduates make about $43,891. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes American Public University System one of the best values for military technologies & applied sciences. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Rhode Island earned it the #5 place for military technologies & applied sciences. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete the military technologies & applied sciences program here. Early-career military technologies & applied sciences graduates make about $39,680. That is a strong return on a $13,940 median debt.
Indiana State University placed #6 among the best values for military technologies & applied sciences. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Early-career military technologies & applied sciences graduates make about $53,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #7 position for value in military technologies & applied sciences this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the military technologies & applied sciences program here. Early-career military technologies & applied sciences graduates make about $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #8 among the best values for military technologies & applied sciences. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the military technologies & applied sciences program here. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Arizona placed #9 among the best values for military technologies & applied sciences. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for military technologies & applied sciences graduates is $21,861. Early-career military technologies & applied sciences graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #10 among the best values for military technologies & applied sciences. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #11 spot for military technologies & applied sciences value this year. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Typical student debt for military technologies & applied sciences graduates is $24,878. Soon after graduation, military technologies & applied sciences degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $35,150. That is a strong return on a $24,878 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Harvard University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value military technologies & applied sciences schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for military technologies & applied sciences graduates is $16,616. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #13 position for value in military technologies & applied sciences this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,807 to complete the military technologies & applied sciences program here. Early-career military technologies & applied sciences graduates make about $53,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alcorn State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value military technologies & applied sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,785 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,674 to complete the military technologies & applied sciences program here. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates of Alcorn State University earn a median of $37,028 early in their careers. Set against $29,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Iowa State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value military technologies & applied sciences schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University placed #16 among the best values for military technologies & applied sciences. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for military technologies & applied sciences graduates is $13,426. Early-career military technologies & applied sciences graduates make about $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana Western landed the #17 spot for military technologies & applied sciences value this year. The University Of Montana Western is a small public school located in the town of Dillon. In-state tuition and fees average $6,669, compared with $20,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for military technologies & applied sciences graduates is $22,484. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates of The University Of Montana Western earn a median of $36,924 early in their careers. Set against $22,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #18 among the best values for military technologies & applied sciences. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for military technologies & applied sciences graduates is $24,408. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northern Michigan University landed the #19 spot for military technologies & applied sciences value this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,608 to complete the military technologies & applied sciences program here. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. Set against $22,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide landed the #20 spot for military technologies & applied sciences value this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,097. Typical student debt for military technologies & applied sciences graduates is $20,787. Soon after graduation, military technologies & applied sciences degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $76,517. That is a strong return on a $20,787 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Dakota State University earned the #21 position for value in military technologies & applied sciences this year. Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. Typical student debt for military technologies & applied sciences graduates is $28,724. Early-career military technologies & applied sciences graduates make about $51,970. Set against $28,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Advancing Technology placed #22 among the best values for military technologies & applied sciences. University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,800. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the military technologies & applied sciences program here. Soon after graduation, military technologies & applied sciences degree recipients from University Of Advancing Technology generally make around $64,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #23 position for value in military technologies & applied sciences this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,570 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. Students borrow a median of $26,499 to complete the military technologies & applied sciences program here. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates of Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn a median of $42,362 early in their careers. Set against $26,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 23%.
National American University Rapid City placed #24 among the best values for military technologies & applied sciences. Located in the city of Rapid City, National American University Rapid City is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,065. Typical student debt for military technologies & applied sciences graduates is $38,264. Early-career military technologies & applied sciences graduates make about $47,873. That is a strong return on a $38,264 median debt.
Tiffin University earned the #25 position for value in military technologies & applied sciences this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,790. Military Technologies & Applied Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,977 in student loans. Early-career military technologies & applied sciences graduates make about $51,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Military Technologies & Applied Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for military technologies & applied sciences this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Military Technologies & Applied Sciences](/majors/military-technologies-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
