by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cyber-computer-forensics-and-counterterrorism/) 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in value in Florida. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Value graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #2 place for value. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,693. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $58,249. Set against $20,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #4 makes Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $94,550. Set against $20,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earned it the #5 place for value. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,056. Typical student debt for value graduates is $30,326. Early-career value graduates make about $32,462. That is a strong return on a $30,326 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.