by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 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.
For return on investment in value, no school beat Truman State University this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Value graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $39,764. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #3. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,577. Early-career value graduates make about $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Central Missouri is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,304. Value graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Bellevue University one of the best values for value. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,852. Value graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $61,548 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
William Jewell College placed #6 among the best values for value. William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Liberty. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,610. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,950. Early-career value graduates make about $48,588. That is a strong return on a $25,950 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $30,822 in student loans. Value graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $54,195 early in their careers. Set against $30,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #8 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $49,755. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University placed #9 among the best values for value. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,989. Early-career value graduates make about $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #10 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,499. Value graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $67,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Iowa ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.