by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Post University, our #1 best value for value in Connecticut. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,922. Typical student debt for value graduates is $35,364. Early-career value graduates make about $68,873. Set against $35,364 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Connecticut is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Value graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $65,364. Set against $23,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of New Haven one of the best values for value. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $26,244 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of $73,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Haven admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Sacred Heart University one of the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,404 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Sacred Heart University generally make around $62,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sacred Heart University admits about 65% 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.