by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Leading the list is Cuny Queensborough Community College, our #1 best value for value in New York. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $8,884. Early-career value graduates make about $26,907. That is a strong return on a $8,884 median debt.
Suny College At Oneonta is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,740. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $36,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Long Island University C W Post Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,432. Students borrow a median of $27,531 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $31,432 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.