[Community College Education](/majors/education/educational-administration/community-college-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong community college education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for community college education students.
What’s on this page:
The community college education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Community College Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Community College Education Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in community college education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is California State University San Bernardino, our #1 best value for community college education in the United States. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $15,149. Early-career community college education graduates make about $111,677. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in community college education will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $96,306. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Stanislaus earned it the #3 place for community college education. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Community College Education graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in community college education, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $15,598. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $113,758. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for community college education. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $16,202. Early-career community college education graduates make about $84,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #6 for value in community college education this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Community College Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $96,042 early in their careers. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #7 spot for community college education value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $77,944. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
San Francisco State University earned the #8 position for value in community college education this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $17,020 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $106,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University earned the #9 position for value in community college education this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $23,562. Community College Education graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $96,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wyoming landed the #10 spot for community college education value this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the community college education program here. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University placed #11 among the best values for community college education. 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. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $72,219. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Washington State University came in at #12 for value in community college education this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $21,903. Early-career community college education graduates make about $54,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Old Dominion University placed #13 among the best values for community college education. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $63,648. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Ball State University earned the #14 position for value in community college education this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $24,518. Community College Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $63,782 early in their careers. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
San Diego State University earned the #15 position for value in community college education this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $16,417. Early-career community college education graduates make about $105,035. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Alcorn State University landed the #16 spot for community college education value this year. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $29,674 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $37,028. Set against $29,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools. 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. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $51,931. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Morgan State University came in at #18 for value in community college education this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $30,309 in student loans. Community College Education graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $77,064 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,309 median debt. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $28,781. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Utah ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $88,013. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
New Jersey City University placed #21 among the best values for community college education. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $22,107 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $47,083. Set against $22,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Community College Education graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $51,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Mississippi State University came in at #23 for value in community college education this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $23,969. Community College Education graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $45,794 early in their careers. Set against $23,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Central Michigan University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $76,885. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #25 position for value in community college education this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s community college education value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
