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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 best value for value in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at La Salle University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Value graduates carry a median of $25,462 in student loans. Value graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $54,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gannon University earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $73,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Point Park University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,570. Value graduates carry a median of $28,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $40,759. That is a strong return on a $28,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #5 makes Robert Morris University one of the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Robert Morris University generally make around $69,872. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Robert Morris University admits about 90% of applicants.
Mercyhurst College came in at #6 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,705. Early-career value graduates make about $46,009. That is a strong return on a $25,705 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Scranton placed #7 among the best values for value. University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,777. Value graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Scranton generally make around $56,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University earned the #9 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,986. Value graduates carry a median of $26,297 in student loans. Value graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $53,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.