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.
College Factual analyzed 12 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.
Rice University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Texas. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $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. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Houston Downtown is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $46,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas At Arlington one of the best values for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Texas A And M University Corpus Christi one of the best values for value. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $47,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of North Texas placed #6 among the best values for value. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,817. Early-career value graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,531. Early-career value graduates make about $58,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Value graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University came in at #9 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Value graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Value graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $64,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University came in at #11 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $70,632. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University placed #12 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,928. Value graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.