Looking for the best colleges for the money in the United States? Our ranking highlights 2000 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2027 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 — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 2000 schools to compile this 2027 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Our analysis looked at 2000 schools in the United States to find which ones offer the best value. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
What We Measure
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). But a school that delivers value must also be a great school overall. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
The schools that score best offer the strongest return on your investment. See the full methodology.
Customize Your Rankings
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
For return on investment, no school beat Williamson College Of The Trades this year in the United States. Williamson College Of The Trades is a private not-for-profit school based in Media, PA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,611. About 22% of those who apply are admitted.
College Of San Mateo came in at #2 on this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Located in San Mateo, CA, College Of San Mateo is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. The median program debt is $12,831. A decade after starting, 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. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt is $17,669. University Of Florida alumni report median earnings of $71,588 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida has an acceptance rate of 24%.
You'll get strong value at Moorpark College, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Moorpark, CA, Moorpark College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. The median program debt is $17,075. Moorpark College alumni report median earnings of $49,044 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values in the United States. Based in Joliet, IL, Joliet Junior College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $42,889 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex County College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Located in Edison, NJ, Middlesex County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. The median program debt is $9,514. Middlesex County College alumni report median earnings of $46,861 a decade after entry. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Orange, CA, Santiago Canyon College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,956. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Skyline College placed #8 among the best values in the United States. Located in San Bruno, CA, Skyline College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Skyline College alumni report median earnings of $55,702 a decade after entry.
San Diego Miramar College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Based in San Diego, CA, San Diego Miramar College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. 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.
University Of Florida Online landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Florida Online is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Graduates carry a median of $17,784 in student loans. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. Set against $17,784 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 61% of those who apply are admitted.
Oxnard College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Set in Oxnard, CA, Oxnard College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Santa Ana College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Santa Ana, CA, Santa Ana College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Warren, MI, Macomb Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Macomb Community College students take on a median of $9,862 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Irvine Valley College is a public school based in Irvine, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #15 among the best values in the United States. Set in Bedford, MA, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $11,602. Median earnings reach $50,651 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland placed #16 among the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Texas City, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Mattoon, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,877 ten years after entry. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Saratoga, CA, West Valley College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,688. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. College Of The Canyons is a public school based in Santa Clarita, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,022 ten years after entry. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Hillsborough Community College is a public school based in Tampa, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Hillsborough Community College students take on a median of $16,142 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,782 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. El Centro College is a public school based in Dallas, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Set in Redwood City, CA, Canada College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete their program here. Canada College alumni report median earnings of $50,087 a decade after entry. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College placed #23 among the best values in the United States. Set in Selden, NY, Suffolk County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,907 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Santa Monica College landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Santa Monica, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Seattle Community College South Campus came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Based in Seattle, WA, Seattle Community College South Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,208, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Median earnings reach $44,486 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2000 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: Nation · 2000 schools evaluated.References
by our College Data Analytics Team
