by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1132 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — scroll to Customize Your Rankings to switch views.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated 1132 schools to compile this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
We analyzed 1132 schools in the United States to find which ones offer the best value. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
To determine a school’s value, we first add up average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
The result is a ranking of schools that give you the most for your money. See the full methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Williamson College Of The Trades tops our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money in the United States. Williamson College Of The Trades is a private not-for-profit school based in Media, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $31,611. Williamson College Of The Trades admits about 22% of applicants.
You'll get strong value at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in San Mateo, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida one of the best values in the United States. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt is $17,669. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #4 place in the United States. Skyline College is a public school based in San Bruno, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
A rank of #5 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values in the United States. Set in San Diego, CA, San Diego Miramar College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt is $8,098. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,224 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Moorpark, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $17,075. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,044. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Irvine Valley College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Irvine, CA, Irvine Valley College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Irvine Valley College alumni report median earnings of $49,156 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Orange, CA, Santiago Canyon College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $5,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,956. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College placed #9 among the best values in the United States. Based in Oxnard, CA, Oxnard College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Oxnard College alumni report median earnings of $41,393 a decade after entry.
University Of Florida Online ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida Online is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. University Of Florida Online students take on a median of $17,779 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. Set against $17,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
College Of The Canyons landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Santa Clarita, CA, College Of The Canyons is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt is $9,776. Median earnings reach $49,022 ten years out. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Based in San Diego, CA, San Diego Mesa College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,120. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
De Anza College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. De Anza College is a public school based in Cupertino, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. De Anza College students take on a median of $7,271 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Saddleback College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Mission Viejo, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,874. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Brazosport College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Lake Jackson, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,910 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Golden West College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Huntington Beach, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $21,500. Golden West College alumni report median earnings of $43,145 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Sanford, FL, Seminole State College Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Median earnings reach $41,733 ten years out. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Set in El Cajon, CA, Grossmont College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Cerritos College placed #19 among the best values in the United States. Cerritos College is a public school based in Norwalk, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. The median program debt is $11,306. Cerritos College alumni report median earnings of $41,156 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Frederick, MD. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $46,449 ten years out. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Jacksonville, FL, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Florida State College At Jacksonville students take on a median of $19,139 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,244 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $41,625 ten years out. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Mt San Antonio College is a public school based in Walnut, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt is $9,384. Mt San Antonio College alumni report median earnings of $46,283 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Carl Sandburg College placed #24 among the best values in the United States. Located in Galesburg, IL, Carl Sandburg College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Carl Sandburg College students take on a median of $8,604 in debt. Carl Sandburg College alumni report median earnings of $35,274 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College placed #25 among the best values in the United States. Located in Palos Hills, IL, Moraine Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. The median program debt is $11,149. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,892. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
To learn more about the schools below, just click their names:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | Value Report |
| 52 | El Centro College | Dallas, TX | Value Report |
| 53 | Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | Value Report |
| 54 | Fresno City College | Fresno, CA | Value Report |
| 55 | Santa Monica College | Santa Monica, CA | Value Report |
| 56 | City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College | Chicago, IL | Value Report |
| 57 | Las Positas College | Livermore, CA | Value Report |
| 58 | College Of The Sequoias | Visalia, CA | Value Report |
| 59 | Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson, KS | Value Report |
| 60 | Lewis And Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL | Value Report |
| 61 | Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | Value Report |
| 62 | Bates Technical College | Tacoma, WA | Value Report |
| 63 | Moreno Valley College | Moreno Valley, CA | Value Report |
| 64 | Hillsborough Community College | Tampa, FL | Value Report |
| 65 | College Of Lake County | Grayslake, IL | Value Report |
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 166 | Trinity Valley Community College | Athens, TX | Value Report |
| 167 | South Georgia Technical College | Americus, GA | Value Report |
| 168 | Long Beach City College | Long Beach, CA | Value Report |
| 169 | Western Nebraska Community College | Scottsbluff, NE | Value Report |
| 170 | Los Medanos College | Pittsburg, CA | Value Report |
A few more schools worth a look for value:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 171 | Copiah Lincoln Community College | Wesson, MS | Value Report |
| 172 | Fort Scott Community College | Fort Scott, KS | Value Report |
| 173 | Allan Hancock College | Santa Maria, CA | Value Report |
| 174 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | Value Report |
| 175 | St Charles Community College | Cottleville, MO | Value Report |
| 176 | Burlington County College | Mount Laurel, NJ | Value Report |
| 177 | Cuny Hostos Community College | Bronx, NY | Value Report |
| 178 | West Georgia Technical College | Waco, GA | Value Report |
| 179 | Columbia State Community College | Columbia, TN | Value Report |
| 180 | The University Of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | Value Report |
| 181 | Midland College | Midland, TX | Value Report |
| 182 | Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | Value Report |
| 183 | Lord Fairfax Community College | Middletown, VA | Value Report |
| 184 | Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College | Bowling Green, KY | Value Report |
| 185 | Cleveland Community College | Shelby, NC | Value Report |
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 226 | Central Texas College | Killeen, TX | Value Report |
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1132 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: Nation · 1132 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.