by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 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.
Rice University tops our 2027 list of the best value value schools in the Southwest Region. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,904. Early-career value graduates make about $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Houston Victoria is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,081. Value graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $46,298. Set against $23,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Value graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $55,876. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Arlington earned it the #5 place for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,632. Value graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #6 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $35,323. Value graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $60,453 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Arizona University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Value graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earned the #8 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $47,130. That is a strong return on a $25,508 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of North Texas placed #9 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Value graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #10 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Arizona came in at #11 for value in value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,861. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #13 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #14 position for value in value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Value graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Southern Methodist University came in at #15 for value in value this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Value graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Value graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $70,632 early in their careers. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University came in at #16 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Value graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Set against $23,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.