by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Portland State University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Oregon. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Value graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $47,717. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,034. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $44,628. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Willamette University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Salem, Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,156. Value graduates carry a median of $22,537 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $41,892. Set against $22,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.