by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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.
Clayton State University tops our 2027 list of the best value value schools in Georgia. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $30,200. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Middle Georgia State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Middle Georgia State University is a large public school located in the city of Macon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, while out-of-state students pay about $16,390. Typical student debt for value graduates is $30,500. Value graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $35,930 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Intercontinental University Atlanta earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Atlanta, American Intercontinental University Atlanta is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,527. Value graduates carry a median of $37,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from American Intercontinental University Atlanta generally make around $32,231. That is a strong return on a $37,625 median debt.
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.