Looking for the best colleges for the money in the United States? This list ranks 1393 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. These are 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.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 1393 schools to compile this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
We analyzed 1393 schools in the United States to determine which deliver the best value. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
What We Measure
The first step is the school’s combined average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is 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 best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete their program here. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College alumni report median earnings of $75,971 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 48% of those who apply are admitted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. The median program debt is $11,091. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,163 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. About 54% of those who apply are admitted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #3 on this year's best-value ranking in the United States. This public school is set in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $12,678. Median earnings reach $56,195 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice has an acceptance rate of 57%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values in the United States. Based in Fullerton, CA, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,951 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton has an acceptance rate of 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, 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. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 24% of those who apply are admitted.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a public school based in Carson, CA. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $15,886. California State University Dominguez Hills alumni report median earnings of $57,162 a decade after entry. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #7 among the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Brooklyn, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Cuny Brooklyn College students take on a median of $13,303 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,752 ten years after entry. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 58% of those who apply are admitted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Set in Los Angeles, CA, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $14,430. Median earnings reach $59,211 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Queens, NY, Cuny Queens College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $62,763 ten years out. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Median earnings reach $66,039 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. 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. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Based in Bronx, NY, Cuny Lehman College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,013. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 57% of those who apply are admitted.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. California State University Stanislaus is a public school based in Turlock, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. California State University Stanislaus alumni report median earnings of $63,188 a decade after entry. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Set in Killeen, TX, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. The median program debt is $23,160. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Fresno, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. The median program debt is $15,598. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. California State University San Bernardino is a public school based in San Bernardino, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino has an acceptance rate of 94%.
Texas A And M International University landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Laredo, TX, Texas A And M International University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt is $15,095. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,386. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University has an acceptance rate of 44%.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Bakersfield, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Brazosport College placed #19 among the best values in the United States. Based in Lake Jackson, TX, Brazosport College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Typical student debt is $6,625. Median earnings reach $45,910 ten years out. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College placed #20 among the best values in the United States. Located in San Diego, CA, San Diego Mesa College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,120. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Berea College came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Set in Berea, KY, Berea College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,658. Berea College students take on a median of $5,801 in debt. Berea College alumni report median earnings of $43,150 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
California State University Northridge placed #22 among the best values in the United States. Located in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. California State University Northridge students take on a median of $16,202 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,115. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Renton Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Renton, WA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Renton Technical College students take on a median of $18,582 in debt. Median earnings reach $49,782 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Jacksonville, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt is $19,139. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Sanford, FL, Seminole State College Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. The median program debt is $18,419. Median earnings reach $41,733 ten years out. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Schools in the United States
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1393 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 · 1393 schools evaluated.References
