by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 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.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #2. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Dupage one of the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,492. Value graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #4. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Value graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,889. Value graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana State University earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Value graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $53,952. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Washington State Community College landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,291. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Washington State Community College generally make around $45,305. Set against $16,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $35,887. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt.
Wayne County Community College District ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Wayne County Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,112, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,820. Value graduates of Wayne County Community College District earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. Set against $20,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College placed #10 among the best values for value. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $48,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #12 for value in value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $43,603. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University placed #13 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,373. Value graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northern Michigan University landed the #14 spot for value value this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,608. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $40,508. Set against $22,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #15 for value in value this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,347 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #16 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Value graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $76,755. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University landed the #17 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Value graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Value graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #18 among the best values for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Value graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,780 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $38,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
Madonna University landed the #20 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,440. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,896. Value graduates of Madonna University earn a median of $56,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #21 for value in value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,213. Early-career value graduates make about $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Ohio Northern University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,600. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,661. Value graduates of Ohio Northern University earn a median of $56,878 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #24 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Value graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $58,659. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Trine University placed #25 among the best values for value. Located in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,560 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $25,765 in student loans. Value graduates of Trine University earn a median of $54,881 early in their careers. Set against $25,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trine University admits about 86% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value value ranking:
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.