2027 Best Value Public Schools
[Public](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/public/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for public students.
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Finding the Best Value Public School for You
The public program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Public Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Public Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value Public Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Schools
Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Arlington, our #1 best value for public in the United States. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public graduates is $30,941. Early-career public graduates make about $37,338. That is a strong return on a $30,941 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for public. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Public graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career public graduates make about $31,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in public will find it at East Carolina University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the public program here. Soon after graduation, public degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $31,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Public graduates carry a median of $35,155 in student loans. Early-career public graduates make about $47,887. Set against $35,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned it the #5 place for public. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for public graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, public degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $32,323. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value public schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for public graduates is $25,000. Public graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $44,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #7 for value in public this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public graduates is $20,531. Soon after graduation, public degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value public schools. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Public graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Early-career public graduates make about $35,528. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value public schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, public degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Tarleton State University came in at #10 for value in public this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public graduates is $23,222. Early-career public graduates make about $50,532. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value public schools. 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. Typical student debt for public graduates is $26,983. Soon after graduation, public degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $54,826. Set against $26,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Public. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
