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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 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.
Leading the list is Harper College, our #1 best value for value in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,115. Value graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,293. Early-career value graduates make about $43,603. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Lewis University one of the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,838. Value graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Loyola University Chicago earned it the #5 place for value. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,521. Early-career value graduates make about $51,202. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.