by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/financial-analytics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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 Lamar University this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Value graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern State University earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,465. Early-career value graduates make about $49,353. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Value graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.