by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/music/sound-arts/) 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 1 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.
Bennington College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Vermont. Located in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,262 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,815. Early-career value graduates make about $29,031. Set against $26,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bennington College admits about 44% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 1 school evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.