2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
For return on investment in value, no school beat University Of California San Diego this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $60,797. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Portland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Santa Barbara earned it the #4 place for value. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,501. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. That is a strong return on a $15,501 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Western Washington University, which ranked #5. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,361. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. Set against $20,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Oregon came in at #6 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,034. Value graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. Set against $22,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
Willamette University placed #7 among the best values for value. Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salem. Students from in state pay about $51,156 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $22,537 in student loans. Value graduates of Willamette University earn a median of $41,892 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Willamette University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of The Pacific came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,080. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $77,022. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of San Diego placed #9 among the best values for value. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Narrow Value Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
