2027 Best Value Public Bachelor’s Degree 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public students.
What’s on this page:
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
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At Arlington the best value for a degree in public in the United States. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. 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.
Northern Arizona University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Carolina University earned it the #3 place for public. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for public graduates is $25,750. Public graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $31,928 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public will find it at Eastern Michigan University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Public graduates carry a median of $35,155 in student loans. Early-career public graduates make about $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public will find it at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, which ranked #5. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public program here. Early-career public graduates make about $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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public graduates is $25,000. Early-career public graduates make about $37,263. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #7 for value in public this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Public graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Public graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #8 position for value in public this year. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Public graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Public graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $35,528 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #9 among the best values for public. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, 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 landed the #10 spot for public value this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,302, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the public program here. 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 earned the #11 position for value in public 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. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the public program here. Soon after graduation, public degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $54,826. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
Other Public Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Public rankings across degree levels:
View All Public Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 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.
