by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/general/) 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Phoenix Arizona the best value for a degree in value in Arizona. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $60,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for value. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $55,876. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Value graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.