2026 Value Rankings

Best Value Colleges

Data-driven rankings of 4,548 colleges based on affordability, financial aid, completion rates, and student outcomes

4,548
Schools Ranked
3,056
Full Data Rankings
1,492
Partial Data Rankings
5
Value Criteria
Rankings based on IPEDS data: net price, completion rates, loan burden, financial aid generosity, and retention.
View Methodology

Top Value Colleges

Showing 1-50 of 4,548 ranked schools

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#1

Williamstown, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
90 / 100
90
Net Price
$16,988
53%
Completion
96%
99%
Loan Rate
6%
94%

Williams College is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 90, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 2,168 students with in-state tuition of $64,540.

Only 6% of students take on federal loans (94th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#2

Berea, KY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
89.4 / 100
89.4
Net Price
$4,379
98%
Completion
69.3%
83%
Loan Rate
12%
88%

Berea College is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 99th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 1,487 students with in-state tuition of $48,600.

Only 12% of students take on federal loans (88th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#3

Claremont, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
89.2 / 100
89.2
Net Price
$17,423
51%
Completion
95.8%
99%
Loan Rate
8%
92%

Pomona College is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 1,664 students with in-state tuition of $61,906.

Only 8% of students take on federal loans (92nd percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#4

Princeton, NJ

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
89.2 / 100
89.2
Net Price
$19,811
41%
Completion
97.7%
100%
Loan Rate
3%
97%

Princeton University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 100th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 8,922 students with in-state tuition of $59,710.

Only 3% of students take on federal loans (97th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#5

Stanford, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
89.2 / 100
89.2
Net Price
$17,998
48%
Completion
94.4%
98%
Loan Rate
6%
94%

Stanford University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 18,446 students with in-state tuition of $61,731.

Only 6% of students take on federal loans (94th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#6

Cambridge, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.9 / 100
88.9
Net Price
$17,900
49%
Completion
85.9%
95%
Loan Rate
5%
95%

Harvard University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 30,386 students with in-state tuition of $54,269.

Only 5% of students take on federal loans (95th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#7

Waterville, ME

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.6 / 100
88.6
Net Price
$15,163
61%
Completion
84.8%
95%
Loan Rate
9%
91%

Colby College is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 2,284 students with in-state tuition of $63,790.

Only 9% of students take on federal loans (91st percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#8

Amherst, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.4 / 100
88.4
Net Price
$17,965
49%
Completion
92.7%
98%
Loan Rate
9%
91%

Amherst College is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 1,910 students with in-state tuition of $66,650.

Only 9% of students take on federal loans (91st percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#9

Swarthmore, PA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.4 / 100
88.4
Net Price
$17,930
49%
Completion
96.2%
99%
Loan Rate
10%
90%

Swarthmore College is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 1,644 students with in-state tuition of $61,992.

Only 10% of students take on federal loans (90th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#10

Hanover, NH

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.4 / 100
88.4
Net Price
$17,322
51%
Completion
95.1%
99%
Loan Rate
12%
88%

Dartmouth College is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 6,746 students with in-state tuition of $63,684.

Only 12% of students take on federal loans (88th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#11

Houston, TX

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
87.5 / 100
87.5
Net Price
$20,587
38%
Completion
91.9%
98%
Loan Rate
6%
94%

Rice University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 99th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 8,556 students with in-state tuition of $57,210.

Only 6% of students take on federal loans (94th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#12

Cambridge, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
87.4 / 100
87.4
Net Price
$21,519
33%
Completion
97.6%
100%
Loan Rate
7%
94%

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 100th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 11,920 students with in-state tuition of $59,750.

Only 7% of students take on federal loans (94th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#13

Pasadena, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
86.8 / 100
86.8
Net Price
$23,397
27%
Completion
95.6%
99%
Loan Rate
4%
96%

California Institute of Technology is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 2,463 students with in-state tuition of $60,816.

Only 4% of students take on federal loans (96th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#14

Seattle, WA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
85.7 / 100
85.7
Net Price
$11,023
77%
Completion
80.7%
93%
Loan Rate
16%
84%

University of Washington-Seattle Campus is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 86, ranking in the 93th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 55,620 students with in-state tuition of $11,524.

Only 16% of students take on federal loans (84th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#15

Brunswick, ME

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
85.2 / 100
85.2
Net Price
$23,110
28%
Completion
95.3%
99%
Loan Rate
10%
90%

Bowdoin College is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 85, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 1,850 students with in-state tuition of $64,304.

Only 10% of students take on federal loans (90th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#16

New Haven, CT

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
85.2 / 100
85.2
Net Price
$26,044
19%
Completion
97.4%
99%
Loan Rate
6%
94%

Yale University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 85, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 15,081 students with in-state tuition of $64,700.

Only 6% of students take on federal loans (94th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#17

Baltimore, MD

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
85.1 / 100
85.1
Net Price
$22,844
29%
Completion
92.7%
98%
Loan Rate
11%
89%

Johns Hopkins University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 85, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 30,362 students with in-state tuition of $62,840.

Only 11% of students take on federal loans (89th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#18

Gainesville, FL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
85.1 / 100
85.1
Net Price
$11,521
75%
Completion
79.3%
92%
Loan Rate
12%
88%

University of Florida is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 85, ranking in the 92th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 54,814 students with in-state tuition of $4,477.

Only 12% of students take on federal loans (88th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#19

Haverford, PA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
84.9 / 100
84.9
Net Price
$22,828
29%
Completion
90.3%
97%
Loan Rate
8%
92%

Haverford College is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 85, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 1,424 students with in-state tuition of $67,522.

Only 8% of students take on federal loans (92nd percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#20

New York, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
84.9 / 100
84.9
Net Price
$20,869
37%
Completion
86.2%
96%
Loan Rate
14%
86%

Columbia University in the City of New York is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 85, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 35,279 students with in-state tuition of $64,526.

Only 14% of students take on federal loans (86th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#21

La Jolla, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
84.7 / 100
84.7
Net Price
$13,293
68%
Completion
89.6%
97%
Loan Rate
24%
77%

University of California-San Diego is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 85, ranking in the 97th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 42,376 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Only 24% of students take on federal loans (77th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#22

Middletown, CT

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
84.6 / 100
84.6
Net Price
$20,463
38%
Completion
94.1%
98%
Loan Rate
18%
83%

Wesleyan University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 85, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 3,271 students with in-state tuition of $66,716.

Only 18% of students take on federal loans (83rd percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#23

Chicago, IL

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
84.6 / 100
84.6
Net Price
$27,979
15%
Completion
93.9%
98%
Loan Rate
5%
95%

University of Chicago is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 85, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 18,339 students with in-state tuition of $63,801.

Only 5% of students take on federal loans (95th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#24

Berkeley, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
84.5 / 100
84.5
Net Price
$16,997
53%
Completion
87%
96%
Loan Rate
18%
83%

University of California-Berkeley is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 85, ranking in the 96th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 45,699 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Only 18% of students take on federal loans (83rd percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#25

Philadelphia, PA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
84.1 / 100
84.1
Net Price
$26,017
19%
Completion
95.8%
99%
Loan Rate
10%
90%

University of Pennsylvania is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 84, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 28,711 students with in-state tuition of $58,620.

Only 10% of students take on federal loans (90th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#26

Chapel Hill, NC

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
83.8 / 100
83.8
Net Price
$11,140
77%
Completion
72%
85%
Loan Rate
18%
83%

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 84, ranking in the 92th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 32,234 students with in-state tuition of $7,019.

Only 18% of students take on federal loans (83rd percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#27

Bayamon, PR

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
83.8 / 100
83.8
Net Price
$7,827
88%
Completion
96.4%
99%
Loan Rate
4%
96%

University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 84, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 2,967 students with in-state tuition of $5,954.

Only 4% of students take on federal loans (96th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#28

Charlottesville, VA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
83.8 / 100
83.8
Net Price
$17,831
49%
Completion
85.1%
95%
Loan Rate
20%
81%

University of Virginia-Main Campus is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 84, ranking in the 95th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 25,924 students with in-state tuition of $18,823.

Only 20% of students take on federal loans (81st percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#29

Durham, NC

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
83.6 / 100
83.6
Net Price
$23,422
27%
Completion
96%
99%
Loan Rate
16%
84%

Duke University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 84, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 17,112 students with in-state tuition of $63,450.

Only 16% of students take on federal loans (84th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#30

Detroit, MI

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
83.5 / 100
83.5
Net Price
$10,371
80%
Completion
54.2%
61%
Loan Rate
6%
94%

Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 84, ranking in the 94th percentile for loan burden.

The college enrolls 357 students with in-state tuition of $27,669.

Only 6% of students take on federal loans (94th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#31

Providence, RI

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
83.4 / 100
83.4
Net Price
$26,608
17%
Completion
88.4%
97%
Loan Rate
9%
91%

Brown University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 99th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 11,516 students with in-state tuition of $65,656.

Only 9% of students take on federal loans (91st percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#32

Saint Louis, MO

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
83.3 / 100
83.3
Net Price
$22,440
30%
Completion
83.5%
94%
Loan Rate
14%
86%

Washington University in St Louis is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 16,500 students with in-state tuition of $61,750.

Only 14% of students take on federal loans (86th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#33

Nashville, TN

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
83.1 / 100
83.1
Net Price
$26,689
17%
Completion
94.5%
99%
Loan Rate
11%
89%

Vanderbilt University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 13,456 students with in-state tuition of $61,618.

Only 11% of students take on federal loans (89th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#34

Evanston, IL

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
83.1 / 100
83.1
Net Price
$23,341
27%
Completion
95.9%
99%
Loan Rate
19%
82%

Northwestern University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 23,203 students with in-state tuition of $64,887.

Only 19% of students take on federal loans (82nd percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#35

Davidson, NC

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
82.9 / 100
82.9
Net Price
$26,510
18%
Completion
93.3%
98%
Loan Rate
11%
89%

Davidson College is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 99th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 1,904 students with in-state tuition of $59,510.

Only 11% of students take on federal loans (89th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#36

Los Angeles, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
82.9 / 100
82.9
Net Price
$15,166
61%
Completion
77.4%
90%
Loan Rate
21%
80%

University of California-Los Angeles is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 92th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 46,678 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Only 21% of students take on federal loans (80th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#37

Bothell, WA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
82.8 / 100
82.8
Net Price
$10,013
81%
Completion
77.3%
90%
Loan Rate
20%
81%

University of Washington-Bothell Campus is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 90th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 5,809 students with in-state tuition of $11,524.

Only 20% of students take on federal loans (81st percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#38

Atlanta, GA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
82.7 / 100
82.7
Net Price
$15,901
58%
Completion
82.9%
94%
Loan Rate
19%
82%

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 94th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 47,946 students with in-state tuition of $10,258.

Only 19% of students take on federal loans (82nd percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#39

Santa Barbara, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
82.5 / 100
82.5
Net Price
$15,283
60%
Completion
79.9%
92%
Loan Rate
20%
81%

University of California-Santa Barbara is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 92th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 26,068 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Only 20% of students take on federal loans (81st percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#40

Atlanta, GA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
82.4 / 100
82.4
Net Price
$27,986
14%
Completion
93.4%
98%
Loan Rate
11%
89%

Emory University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 99th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 15,046 students with in-state tuition of $59,920.

Only 11% of students take on federal loans (89th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#41

Ann Arbor, MI

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
82.2 / 100
82.2
Net Price
$19,005
45%
Completion
88.1%
97%
Loan Rate
21%
80%

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 97th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 52,065 students with in-state tuition of $17,977.

Only 21% of students take on federal loans (80th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#42

Hamilton, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
82.1 / 100
82.1
Net Price
$26,954
17%
Completion
91.2%
98%
Loan Rate
12%
88%

Colgate University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 99th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 3,146 students with in-state tuition of $66,622.

Only 12% of students take on federal loans (88th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#43

Irvine, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
82 / 100
82
Net Price
$14,647
63%
Completion
76.7%
89%
Loan Rate
22%
79%

University of California-Irvine is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 89th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 36,582 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Only 22% of students take on federal loans (79th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#44

Glen Cove, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
81.9 / 100
81.9
Net Price
$21,488
34%
Completion
84.3%
95%
Loan Rate
23%
78%

Webb Institute is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 99th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 105 students with in-state tuition of $57,830.

Only 23% of students take on federal loans (78th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#45

Madison, WI

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
81.9 / 100
81.9
Net Price
$14,216
65%
Completion
83.1%
94%
Loan Rate
22%
79%

University of Wisconsin-Madison is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 94th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 49,605 students with in-state tuition of $9,644.

Only 22% of students take on federal loans (79th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#46

Fullerton, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
81.8 / 100
81.8
Net Price
$6,283
94%
Completion
73.3%
87%
Loan Rate
22%
79%

California State University-Fullerton is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 94th percentile for net price.

The college enrolls 41,962 students with in-state tuition of $5,742.

Only 22% of students take on federal loans (79th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#47

Middlebury, VT

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
81.7 / 100
81.7
Net Price
$22,912
29%
Completion
91.8%
98%
Loan Rate
23%
78%

Middlebury College is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 2,857 students with in-state tuition of $64,800.

Only 23% of students take on federal loans (78th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#48

Wellesley, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
81.6 / 100
81.6
Net Price
$21,501
34%
Completion
74%
87%
Loan Rate
17%
84%

Wellesley College is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 100th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 2,418 students with in-state tuition of $64,000.

Only 17% of students take on federal loans (84th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#49

Davis, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
81.5 / 100
81.5
Net Price
$17,315
52%
Completion
83.9%
95%
Loan Rate
23%
78%

University of California-Davis is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 95th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 39,707 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Only 23% of students take on federal loans (78th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

#50

Winston-Salem, NC

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
81.5 / 100
81.5
Net Price
$27,790
15%
Completion
93.7%
98%
Loan Rate
15%
85%

Wake Forest University is a top-performing institution in the best-value ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 99th percentile for aid generosity.

The college enrolls 9,121 students with in-state tuition of $63,608.

Only 15% of students take on federal loans (85th percentile), keeping debt burden manageable.

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