by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/criminalistics-and-criminal-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 1 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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.
Stevenson University tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in Maryland. Set in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,560. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,042. Value graduates of Stevenson University earn a median of $62,501 early in their careers. Set against $27,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1 school evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.