2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
For return on investment in value, no school beat California State University Long Beach this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Value graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $50,982. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned it the #2 place for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Value graduates carry a median of $15,636 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $65,932 early in their careers. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Nevada Las Vegas, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,181. Early-career value graduates make about $50,039. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Portland State University one of the best values for value. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Nevada Reno one of the best values for value. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $19,918 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $50,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of The Pacific landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,080. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,514. Value graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,514 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of La Verne came in at #7 for value in value this year. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. Students from in state pay about $49,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $35,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
George Fox University came in at #8 for value in value this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,320. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,324. Value graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $52,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Saint Marys College Of California ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,803 in tuition and fees. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Diego earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,795. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Southern California earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
California Institute Of Arts And Technology landed the #12 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,696. Value graduates of California Institute Of Arts And Technology earn a median of $48,778 early in their careers.
University Of San Francisco ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $65,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,935 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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/) 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.
