2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Portland State University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Far Western Region. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $19,918 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $50,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of The Pacific one of the best values for value. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Fox University earned it the #4 place for value. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. Students from in state pay about $41,320 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,324 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from George Fox University generally make around $52,898. Set against $25,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Fox University admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Marys College Of California earned it the #5 place for value. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Saint Marys College Of California generally make around $59,760. Set against $25,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Marys College Of California admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of San Diego earned the #6 position for value in value this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,795. Early-career value graduates make about $68,281. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Southern California landed the #7 spot for value value this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
California Institute Of Arts And Technology landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of National City, California Institute Of Arts And Technology is a mid-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,270. Value graduates carry a median of $21,696 in student loans. Value graduates of California Institute Of Arts And Technology earn a median of $48,778 early in their careers.
University Of San Francisco placed #9 among the best values for value. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,935. Early-career value graduates make about $65,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.
Narrow Value Schools by State
Notes and References
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/business-analytics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
