by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 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.
For return on investment in value, no school beat Lake Land College this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $7,769. Early-career value graduates make about $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Value graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Eastern Illinois University one of the best values for value. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Lewis University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $55,718. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $51,202. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.