Looking for the best colleges for the money in the United States? Our ranking highlights 2140 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 analyzed 7944 schools to produce this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Our analysis looked at 7944 schools in the United States to surface the strongest return on investment. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
What We Measure
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). Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value in the United States. Located 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. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College students take on a median of $11,691 in debt. Median earnings reach $75,971 ten years out. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College has an acceptance rate of 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Cuny Hunter College students take on a median of $11,091 in debt. Median earnings reach $63,163 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
You'll get strong value at Williamson College Of The Trades, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Media, PA, Williamson College Of The Trades is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,611. Williamson College Of The Trades has an acceptance rate of 22%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. The median program debt is $12,678. Median earnings reach $56,195 ten years out. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice has an acceptance rate of 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Fullerton, CA, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. The median program debt is $15,525. California State University Fullerton alumni report median earnings of $62,951 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in Carson, CA, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $57,162 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Florida placed #7 among the best values in the United States. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,588. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida has an acceptance rate of 24%.
Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Brooklyn, NY, Cuny Brooklyn College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Cuny Brooklyn College students take on a median of $13,303 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,752. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Los Angeles offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. California State University Los Angeles students take on a median of $14,430 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,211 ten years after entry. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Queens, NY, Cuny Queens College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Cuny Queens College alumni report median earnings of $62,763 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College has an acceptance rate of 64%.
College Of San Mateo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in San Mateo, CA, College Of San Mateo is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida Online offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida Online is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. University Of Florida Online alumni report median earnings of $71,588 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College placed #13 among the best values in the United States. This public school is set in New York, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Cuny City College students take on a median of $13,389 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,039 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Miramar College placed #14 among the best values in the United States. San Diego Miramar College is a public school based in San Diego, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. San Diego Miramar College alumni report median earnings of $48,224 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Set in San Bruno, CA, Skyline College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,702.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Bronx, NY, Cuny Lehman College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Cuny Lehman College students take on a median of $13,213 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,013. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Turlock, CA, California State University Stanislaus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. The median program debt is $14,813. 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.
Moorpark College offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. This public school is set in Moorpark, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Moorpark College students take on a median of $17,075 in debt. Moorpark College alumni report median earnings of $49,044 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Irvine Valley College landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Irvine, CA, Irvine Valley College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete their program here. 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.
Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Killeen, TX, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete their program here. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Orange, CA, Santiago Canyon College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,956 ten years after entry. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Oxnard College is a public school based in Oxnard, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
College Of The Canyons came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Based in Santa Clarita, CA, College Of The Canyons is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. The median program debt is $9,776. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,022. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Cerritos College is a public school based in Norwalk, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $41,156 ten years out. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in San Diego, CA, San Diego Mesa College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. The median program debt is $6,999. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2140 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7944 schools evaluated.References
