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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 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.
For return on investment in value, no school beat Rose State College this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $11,407. Value graduates carry a median of $10,286 in student loans. Value graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $58,988 early in their careers. Set against $10,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern State University earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $49,353. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Oklahoma State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $59,230 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Oklahoma earned it the #4 place for value. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,350 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $38,710. Set against $23,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.