2027 Best Value Project Management Master’s Degree Schools
[Project Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/project-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 161 schools to find the best return on investment for project management students.
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2027 Best Value Project Management Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the project management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Project Management Schools
Leading the list is Oakland University, our #1 best value for project management in the United States. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the project management program here. Project Management graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $91,379 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in project management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Project Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career project management graduates make about $99,771. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a great value for students pursuing a degree in project management, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,402 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,862. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $22,118. Project Management graduates of University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn a median of $43,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,118 median debt. University Of Maine At Presque Isle admits about 100% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in project management, landing the #4 spot this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $22,605. Project Management graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $38,750 early in their careers. Set against $22,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Utah University earned it the #5 place for project management. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $12,886. Early-career project management graduates make about $76,721. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Fayetteville State University placed #6 among the best values for project management. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $28,786. Project Management graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $68,138 early in their careers. Set against $28,786 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Purdue University Global earned the #7 position for value in project management this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $25,797. Early-career project management graduates make about $65,048. That is a strong return on a $25,797 median debt.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #8 for value in project management this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. Project Management graduates carry a median of $29,482 in student loans. Project Management graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $88,244 early in their careers. Set against $29,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Empire State College came in at #9 for value in project management this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Project Management graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, project management degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for project management. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Project Management graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career project management graduates make about $103,280. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #11 for value in project management this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Project Management graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Project Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value project management schools. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $22,034. Soon after graduation, project management degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #13 position for value in project management this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the project management program here. Project Management graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $86,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Youngstown State University landed the #14 spot for project management value this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the project management program here. Early-career project management graduates make about $93,018. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #15 position for value in project management this year. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $5,673. Project Management graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Arizona State University came in at #16 for value in project management this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $15,781. Early-career project management graduates make about $112,616. That is a strong return on a $15,781 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Granite State College placed #17 among the best values for project management. Set in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,724 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,284 for out-of-state students. Project Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, project management degree recipients from Granite State College generally make around $73,651. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Universidad Del Este placed #18 among the best values for project management. Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Carolina. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750. Students borrow a median of $18,404 to complete the project management program here. Early-career project management graduates make about $31,665. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Universidad Metropolitana earned the #19 position for value in project management this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Project Management graduates carry a median of $19,212 in student loans. Early-career project management graduates make about $37,005. Set against $19,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Universidad Del Turabo came in at #20 for value in project management this year. Located in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Project Management graduates carry a median of $22,579 in student loans. Soon after graduation, project management degree recipients from Universidad Del Turabo generally make around $38,329. Set against $22,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
National University College Bayamon came in at #21 for value in project management this year. National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Bayamon. In-state tuition and fees average $12,723, with out-of-state students paying around $13,886. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $26,328. Project Management graduates of National University College Bayamon earn a median of $32,051 early in their careers. Set against $26,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas landed the #22 spot for project management value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Project Management graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Project Management graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $78,816 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northern Arizona University landed the #23 spot for project management value this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the project management program here. Early-career project management graduates make about $47,056. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value project management schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Project Management graduates carry a median of $22,457 in student loans. Project Management graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $85,727 early in their careers. Set against $22,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value project management schools. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $24,949. Project Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $47,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,949 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Project Management Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for project management this year:
Other Project Management Degree Levels
Explore the best-value project management schools at other degree levels:
View All Project Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 Major Best Value · 161 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 161 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
