2027 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Associate’s Degree Schools
[Associate Degree Schools](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/digital-marketing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for associate degree schools students.
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2027 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the associate degree schools degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Associate Degree Schools Schools
Our analysis ranked Macomb Community College the best value for a degree in associate degree schools in the United States. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in associate degree schools, landing the #2 spot this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Miami Dade College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in associate degree schools, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in associate degree schools will find it at Gwinnett Technical College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,524 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,092 for out-of-state students. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $18,048 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Gwinnett Technical College earn a median of $39,288 early in their careers. Set against $18,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Falls Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in associate degree schools, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,652 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $34,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #6 among the best values for associate degree schools. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $13,319. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. That is a strong return on a $13,319 median debt.
Western Technical College La Cross ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $13,669. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $43,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College placed #8 among the best values for associate degree schools. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #9 for value in associate degree schools this year. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $35,014. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Augusta Technical College came in at #10 for value in associate degree schools this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,282, compared with $7,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $41,892. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College placed #11 among the best values for associate degree schools. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. Set against $16,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Other Associate Degree Schools Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Associate Degree Schools rankings across degree levels:
View All Associate Degree Schools Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
