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 12 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 Delaware County Community College, our #1 best value for value in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $40,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,800. Early-career value graduates make about $52,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Waynesburg University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,480. Value graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Waynesburg University generally make around $55,588. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Waynesburg University admits about 90% of applicants.
Cedar Crest College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,314. Value graduates carry a median of $30,759 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $67,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Mercyhurst College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,770. Value graduates carry a median of $25,705 in student loans. Value graduates of Mercyhurst College earn a median of $46,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercyhurst College admits about 81% of applicants.
Carlow University earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Typical student debt for value graduates is $30,222. Early-career value graduates make about $59,754. Set against $30,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,656 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $73,658. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Robert Morris University came in at #8 for value in value this year. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,770. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Robert Morris University generally make around $69,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Robert Morris University admits about 90% of applicants.
Point Park University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. 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. Set against $28,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Scranton placed #10 among the best values for value. University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Students from in state pay about $53,777 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $26,476 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. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Value graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,782 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Duquesne University came in at #12 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,297. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $53,631. That is a strong return on a $26,297 median debt. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.