by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/drama-and-theater-arts/comedy-writing-and-performance/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Columbia College Chicago tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Value graduates carry a median of $26,977 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $17,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Depaul University earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $26,348 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $23,592 early in their careers. Set against $26,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 2 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.