2026 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Administration Master’s Degree Schools

[Adult & Continuing Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/adult-and-continuing-education-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value adult & continuing education administration schools.
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2026 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Administration Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in adult & continuing education administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Administration Schools
Northern Illinois University earned the #1 spot for value among adult & continuing education administration schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education administration graduates is $25,209. Early-career adult & continuing education administration graduates make about $63,264. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina A And T State University earned it the #2 place for adult & continuing education administration. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education administration graduates is $29,078. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education administration degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $54,600. That is a strong return on a $29,078 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Valdosta State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education administration schools. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Adult & Continuing Education Administration graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education administration graduates make about $55,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in adult & continuing education administration will find it at Northeastern State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education administration graduates is $23,465. Adult & Continuing Education Administration graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $55,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
A rank of #5 makes Portland State University one of the best values for adult & continuing education administration. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the adult & continuing education administration program here. Early-career adult & continuing education administration graduates make about $57,547. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #6 position for value in adult & continuing education administration this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education administration graduates is $35,323. Early-career adult & continuing education administration graduates make about $60,279. Set against $35,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #7 position for value in adult & continuing education administration this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the adult & continuing education administration program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education administration degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $56,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University earned the #8 position for value in adult & continuing education administration this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education administration graduates is $27,857. Early-career adult & continuing education administration graduates make about $62,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education administration schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Adult & Continuing Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education administration graduates make about $47,456. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University landed the #10 spot for adult & continuing education administration value this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education Administration graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $42,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
East Carolina University placed #11 among the best values for adult & continuing education administration. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the adult & continuing education administration program here. Early-career adult & continuing education administration graduates make about $62,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #12 position for value in adult & continuing education administration this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education administration graduates is $22,113. Early-career adult & continuing education administration graduates make about $62,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas placed #13 among the best values for adult & continuing education administration. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education administration graduates is $24,019. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education administration degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $53,652. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Kansas State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education administration schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education administration graduates is $23,546. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education administration degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $59,907. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #15 spot for adult & continuing education administration value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education administration graduates is $20,031. Adult & Continuing Education Administration graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $60,647 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #16 position for value in adult & continuing education administration this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Adult & Continuing Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education Administration graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $59,866 early in their careers. Set against $23,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #17 for value in adult & continuing education administration this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education Administration graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education administration graduates make about $72,222. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.
Carroll University earned the #18 position for value in adult & continuing education administration this year. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,890. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education administration graduates is $26,904. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education administration degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $62,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #19 for value in adult & continuing education administration this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education administration graduates is $23,521. Adult & Continuing Education Administration graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Other Adult & Continuing Education Administration Degree Levels
Explore the best-value adult & continuing education administration schools at other degree levels:
View All Adult & Continuing Education Administration Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.