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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 79 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value value schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in value, no school beat Florida Atlantic University this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,804. Early-career value graduates make about $52,155. That is a strong return on a $19,804 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $27,022 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $66,534. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Kentucky University one of the best values for value. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $58,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
A rank of #5 makes Indian River State College one of the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $38,521. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,453 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $49,212. That is a strong return on a $22,453 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
American Public University System placed #7 among the best values for value. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $70,882. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State University landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Value graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,466. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $56,031. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Murray State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,420. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $53,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University came in at #11 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, compared with $16,532 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $35,088 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $42,114. Set against $35,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of North Georgia landed the #12 spot for value value this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $43,714. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of North Florida earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $53,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
St Petersburg College earned the #14 position for value in value this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for value graduates is $31,809. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $42,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $54,883. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #16 for value in value this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,977. Value graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $48,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,399. Early-career value graduates make about $64,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #18 for value in value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Value graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $54,613 early in their careers. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #19 for value in value this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Value graduates carry a median of $27,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $46,323. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Western Carolina University earned the #20 position for value in value this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Value graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $54,286. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #21 for value in value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Value graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Value graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $54,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University placed #22 among the best values for value. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Value graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $43,810 early in their careers. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Savannah State University came in at #23 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Value graduates carry a median of $31,576 in student loans. Value graduates of Savannah State University earn a median of $34,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,576 median debt.
Mississippi Valley State University earned the #24 position for value in value this year. Set in the rural area of Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,692 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,919. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Memphis came in at #25 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in value:
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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 79 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.