by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 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.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Southwest Region. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Value graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At San Antonio one of the best values for value. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,312. Early-career value graduates make about $49,955. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Downtown earned it the #4 place for value. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,925. Early-career value graduates make about $46,298. Set against $23,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Lamar University one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Midwestern State University placed #6 among the best values for value. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,415. Value graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #7 for value in value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University placed #8 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $54,611. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Value graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Value graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $55,134 early in their careers. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #10 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Value graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Value graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Value graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University landed the #12 spot for value value this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Houston landed the #13 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #14 for value in value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Angelo State University earned the #15 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,237. Early-career value graduates make about $46,134. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,100. Value graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #17 for value in value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in value this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #19 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University came in at #20 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #21 spot for value value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,275. Early-career value graduates make about $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Oklahoma City University earned the #22 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,754. Students borrow a median of $27,248 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of $58,379 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,248 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Texas Wesleyan University came in at #23 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,582. Value graduates carry a median of $26,461 in student loans. Value graduates of Texas Wesleyan University earn a median of $59,434 early in their careers. Set against $26,461 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Wesleyan University admits about 69% of applicants.
Texas Christian University landed the #24 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,960. Early-career value graduates make about $60,035. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Baylor University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,928. Value graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Set against $23,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.