by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Wisconsin. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Value graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $35,887. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Value graduates carry a median of $24,780 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $38,013. Set against $24,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee, which ranked #3. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,673. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.