by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of William And Mary earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Virginia. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $53,338. That is a strong return on a $18,935 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Virginia Main Campus earned it the #2 place for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,627. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the best values for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Value graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Value graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.