College ROI Calculator 2026
Estimate a simple value score from annual cost and median earnings, then compare the result with high-value colleges from the database.
Calculator and Value Table
Estimate a simple value score, then compare the result with high-value colleges from the site database.
Enter cost and earnings to calculate
Annual cost—
Median earnings—
Median debt—
Earnings minus debt—
The result appears here without leaving the page.
Best Value U.S. Colleges 2026
| Rank | University | Location | Type | Total Cost | Net Price | Median Earnings | Graduation Rate | Value Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Merchant Marine Academy | Kings Point, NY | Public | $9,168 | $6,174 | $90,610 | 82.4% | Value Score = earnings 36.2 + graduation 20.6 + net price 12.9 + total cost 8.9 + debt 8.1 = 86.8/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 2 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | Public | $28,167 | $12,116 | $102,772 | 94% | Value Score = earnings 40.0 + graduation 23.5 + net price 11.0 + total cost 6.5 + debt 4.3 = 85.2/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 3 | Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | Private Nonprofit | $84,040 | $6,128 | $110,066 | 97.6% | Value Score = earnings 40.0 + graduation 24.4 + net price 13.0 + total cost 0.0 + debt 7.1 = 84.5/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Public | $45,619 | $13,481 | $92,446 | 92.8% | Value Score = earnings 37.0 + graduation 23.2 + net price 10.5 + total cost 4.3 + debt 6.6 = 81.6/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 5 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA | Private Nonprofit | $87,833 | $13,807 | $124,080 | 91.9% | Value Score = earnings 40.0 + graduation 23.0 + net price 10.4 + total cost 0.0 + debt 7.2 = 80.6/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 6 | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA | Private Nonprofit | $86,886 | $16,075 | $128,566 | 94.4% | Value Score = earnings 40.0 + graduation 23.6 + net price 9.6 + total cost 0.0 + debt 6.6 = 79.8/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 7 | Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | Private Nonprofit | $85,540 | $19,066 | $101,817 | 97.6% | Value Score = earnings 40.0 + graduation 24.4 + net price 8.6 + total cost 0.0 + debt 6.4 = 79.5/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 8 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | Public | $32,265 | $16,665 | $90,768 | 86.4% | Value Score = earnings 36.3 + graduation 21.6 + net price 9.4 + total cost 6.0 + debt 5.6 = 78.9/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 9 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | Private Nonprofit | $82,730 | $20,111 | $143,372 | 96.4% | Value Score = earnings 40.0 + graduation 24.1 + net price 8.3 + total cost 0.0 + debt 6.4 = 78.8/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 10 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Public | $38,614 | $12,548 | $82,511 | 92.6% | Value Score = earnings 33.0 + graduation 23.2 + net price 10.8 + total cost 5.2 + debt 6.3 = 78.4/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 11 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | Public | $34,654 | $13,138 | $83,648 | 93.2% | Value Score = earnings 33.5 + graduation 23.3 + net price 10.6 + total cost 5.7 + debt 5.0 = 78.0/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 12 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | New York, NY | Public | $14,170 | $3,033 | $75,971 | 72.1% | Value Score = earnings 30.4 + graduation 18.0 + net price 14.0 + total cost 8.2 + debt 7.1 = 77.8/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 13 | Yale University | New Haven, CT | Private Nonprofit | $88,300 | $23,777 | $100,533 | 95.7% | Value Score = earnings 40.0 + graduation 23.9 + net price 7.1 + total cost 0.0 + debt 6.7 = 77.7/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 14 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | Public | $22,523 | $6,541 | $71,588 | 91.1% | Value Score = earnings 28.6 + graduation 22.8 + net price 12.8 + total cost 7.2 + debt 6.0 = 77.4/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 15 | Rice University | Houston, TX | Private Nonprofit | $79,788 | $13,370 | $89,718 | 94.6% | Value Score = earnings 35.9 + graduation 23.7 + net price 10.5 + total cost 0.0 + debt 7.2 = 77.3/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 16 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | $38,701 | $12,470 | $84,943 | 86.1% | Value Score = earnings 34.0 + graduation 21.5 + net price 10.8 + total cost 5.2 + debt 5.8 = 77.3/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 17 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville, VA | Public | $39,926 | $21,565 | $86,863 | 95.6% | Value Score = earnings 34.7 + graduation 23.9 + net price 7.8 + total cost 5.0 + debt 5.7 = 77.1/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 18 | University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Private Nonprofit | $90,360 | $14,860 | $91,885 | 95.9% | Value Score = earnings 36.8 + graduation 24.0 + net price 10.0 + total cost 0.0 + debt 6.2 = 76.9/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 19 | Franklin W Olin College of Engineering | Needham, MA | Private Nonprofit | $86,474 | $25,171 | $129,455 | 96.4% | Value Score = earnings 40.0 + graduation 24.1 + net price 6.6 + total cost 0.0 + debt 5.9 = 76.6/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 20 | University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | Public | $29,299 | $15,678 | $82,860 | 88.6% | Value Score = earnings 33.1 + graduation 22.1 + net price 9.8 + total cost 6.3 + debt 5.1 = 76.6/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 21 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | Private Nonprofit | $89,472 | $21,590 | $102,491 | 96.1% | Value Score = earnings 40.0 + graduation 24.0 + net price 7.8 + total cost 0.0 + debt 4.6 = 76.5/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 22 | Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | Private Nonprofit | $89,590 | $15,846 | $91,565 | 93.5% | Value Score = earnings 36.6 + graduation 23.4 + net price 9.7 + total cost 0.0 + debt 6.3 = 76.0/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 23 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | Public | $26,055 | $11,655 | $72,200 | 91.2% | Value Score = earnings 28.9 + graduation 22.8 + net price 11.1 + total cost 6.7 + debt 6.3 = 75.8/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 24 | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | Private Nonprofit | $88,140 | $28,690 | $104,043 | 95.4% | Value Score = earnings 40.0 + graduation 23.8 + net price 5.4 + total cost 0.0 + debt 6.3 = 75.6/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
| 25 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | Private Nonprofit | $89,028 | $28,699 | $111,371 | 96.5% | Value Score = earnings 40.0 + graduation 24.1 + net price 5.4 + total cost 0.0 + debt 6.0 = 75.6/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt. |
How to Use This Page
- Enter annual cost and median earnings to estimate value.
- Use the result as a screening signal only.
- Compare actual colleges after using the calculator.
Method Notes
The calculator is intentionally simple. A stronger decision should also review net price, debt, graduation rate, location, program fit, and aid details.
Figures are designed for comparison and may not match a student’s final bill. Residency, aid eligibility, housing, program fees, course load, and family income can change the real cost.