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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota tops our 2027 list of the best value value schools in Minnesota. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $69,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $54,835. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Value graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Value graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.