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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 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.
Leading the list is Sinclair Community College, our #1 best value for value in Ohio. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,525. Early-career value graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Washington State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Value graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,373. Early-career value graduates make about $49,025. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Ohio University Main Campus one of the best values for value. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Ohio Northern University landed the #6 spot for value value this year. 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. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ohio Northern University generally make around $56,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Northern University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Tiffin University placed #8 among the best values for value. Located in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,790. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Early-career value graduates make about $38,994. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.