by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
La Salle University tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in Pennsylvania. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. Value graduates carry a median of $25,462 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $54,618. Set against $25,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Eastern University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,400 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $28,584 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $50,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $56,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Dickinson College landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,650. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,014. Value graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,014 median debt. Dickinson College admits about 42% of applicants.
Lehigh University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,008 median debt. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Drexel University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $67,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Bucknell University earned the #9 position for value in value this year. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,812. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,951. Value graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $64,331 early in their careers. Set against $25,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.