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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Austin Community College District, our #1 best value for value in the Southwest Region. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $16,378 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $46,175. Set against $16,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Northland Pioneer College one of the best values for value. Northland Pioneer College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holbrook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,232, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for value graduates is $8,680. Early-career value graduates make about $44,117. Set against $8,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for value. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,861. Early-career value graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Intercontinental University Online earned it the #4 place for value. Set in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,397 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $37,625. Early-career value graduates make about $32,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Hardin Simmons University, which ranked #5. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $32,960. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $39,445. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.