Looking for the best colleges for the money in the United States? This list ranks 2021 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology. These are our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — see Customize Your Rankings below for aid-adjusted and by-degree views.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 2021 schools to compile this 2027 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
We analyzed 2021 schools in the United States to find which ones offer 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 — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). 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.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College students take on a median of $11,691 in debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College alumni report median earnings of $75,971 a decade after entry. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College has an acceptance rate of 48%.
A rank of #2 makes Princeton University one of the best values in the United States. Princeton University is a private not-for-profit school based in Princeton, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Princeton University students take on a median of $10,888 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $110,066. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. About 5% of those who apply are admitted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values 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, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,163. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete their program here. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice alumni report median earnings of $56,195 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #5 place in the United States. California State University Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete their program here. California State University Los Angeles alumni report median earnings of $59,211 a decade after entry. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Florida ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. The median program debt is $17,669. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida has an acceptance rate of 24%.
Cuny Brooklyn College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Brooklyn, NY, Cuny Brooklyn College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,752 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida Online is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt is $17,784. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,588. That is a strong return on a $17,784 median debt. University Of Florida Online has an acceptance rate of 61%.
Cuny Lehman College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Bronx, NY, Cuny Lehman College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Cuny Lehman College students take on a median of $13,213 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny City College landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Cuny City College is a public school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Cuny City College alumni report median earnings of $66,039 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College has an acceptance rate of 60%.
California State University San Bernardino offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in San Bernardino, CA, California State University San Bernardino is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $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. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fullerton landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Fullerton, CA. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt is $15,525. California State University Fullerton alumni report median earnings of $62,951 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. About 90% of those who apply are admitted.
Cuny Queens College landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Cuny Queens College is a public school based in Queens, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. The median program debt is $12,157. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,763. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Killeen, TX. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. The median program debt is $23,160. Texas A And M University Central Texas has an acceptance rate of 100%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Located in Turlock, CA, California State University Stanislaus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete their program here. 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. About 98% of those who apply are admitted.
United States Merchant Marine Academy ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Kings Point, NY, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $895. United States Merchant Marine Academy alumni report median earnings of $90,610 a decade after entry. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield placed #17 among the best values in the United States. California State University Bakersfield is a public school based in Bakersfield, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. California State University Bakersfield alumni report median earnings of $59,009 a decade after entry. About 94% of those who apply are admitted.
California State University Northridge placed #18 among the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Northridge, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. The median program debt is $16,202. Median earnings reach $59,115 ten years out. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fresno ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. California State University Fresno is a public school based in Fresno, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,244. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Laredo, TX, Texas A And M International University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $48,386 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Texas A And M International University has an acceptance rate of 44%.
The University Of Texas Pan American offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Edinburg, TX, The University Of Texas Pan American is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. The University Of Texas Pan American alumni report median earnings of $49,620 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Skyline College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Based in San Bruno, CA, Skyline College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,702.
Cuny York College landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Jamaica, NY, Cuny York College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,945 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. About 64% of those who apply are admitted.
Utah Valley University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Utah Valley University is a public school based in Orem, UT. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,486 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. California State University Sacramento students take on a median of $17,492 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $64,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
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 2021 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 2021 schools evaluated.References
