The Best Value Colleges

Best Value Colleges in America for 2025

Explore the colleges that provide the best value for your money in the United States based on academic quality, outcomes, net price and financial aid. The rankings are calculated using ratings from the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges ranking factored against the typical net price paid by students - to identify the colleges that offer the best deals. Leading the list for 2025 as the overall best value college in America is Harvard University with a 10 out of 10 academic rating for a comparatively affordable $17,900 average net price. The highest value public state college is University of Virginia Main Campus. Learn how the Best Value Colleges are calculated and ranked on our methodology page.


1,049 results nationwide

Houston Baptist University
H
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#973 Best Value in America

  • 4,189enrollment
  • $20,530net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

University of Houston Downtown
H
Houston, TX

University of Houston Downtown

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#974 Best Value in America

  • 14,105enrollment
  • $14,269net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 960-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

University of the Incarnate Word
T
San Antonio, TX

University of the Incarnate Word

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#975 Best Value in America

  • 7,251enrollment
  • $21,246net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Lamar University
L
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#976 Best Value in America

  • 17,473enrollment
  • $10,999net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Texas A&M International University
T
Laredo, TX

Texas A&M International University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#977 Best Value in America

  • 8,536enrollment
  • $3,833net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 920-1130SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Lubbock Christian University
L
Lubbock, TX

Lubbock Christian University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#978 Best Value in America

  • 1,589enrollment
  • $25,351net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

University of Mary Hardin Baylor
M
Belton, TX

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#979 Best Value in America

  • 3,520enrollment
  • $29,904net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

McMurry University
M
Abilene, TX

McMurry University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#980 Best Value in America

  • 2,549enrollment
  • $20,817net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Midwestern State University
M
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#981 Best Value in America

  • 5,573enrollment
  • $11,798net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.2Estimated Avg GPA

University of North Texas
N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#982 Best Value in America

  • 47,507enrollment
  • $14,675net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio
O
San Antonio, TX

Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#983 Best Value in America

  • 2,096enrollment
  • $17,961net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 890-1070SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

The University of Texas Pan American
T
Edinburg, TX

The University of Texas Pan American

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#984 Best Value in America

  • 31,931enrollment
  • $6,978net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Prairie View A & M University
P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#985 Best Value in America

  • 9,517enrollment
  • $14,065net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 850-1030SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Sam Houston State University
S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#986 Best Value in America

  • 21,403enrollment
  • $14,556net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 940-1140SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Schreiner University
S
Kerrville, TX

Schreiner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#987 Best Value in America

  • 1,208enrollment
  • $21,786net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

St. Mary's University
S
San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#988 Best Value in America

  • 3,411enrollment
  • $20,562net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Southwestern Assemblies of God University
S
Waxahachie, TX

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#989 Best Value in America

  • 1,725enrollment
  • $19,834net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 926-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Stephen F Austin State University
S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

#990 Best Value in America

  • 10,888enrollment
  • $15,498net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA