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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 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.
Our analysis ranked Bay Path College the best value for a degree in value in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,302. Value graduates carry a median of $29,113 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $32,326. Set against $29,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Value graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $57,616. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
A rank of #3 makes Anna Maria College one of the best values for value. Located in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,571. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,734. Early-career value graduates make about $81,066. That is a strong return on a $26,734 median debt. Anna Maria College admits about 50% of applicants.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.