[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.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value community college education schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the community college education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Ferris State University the best value for a degree in community college education in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $23,562. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $96,834. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ball State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value community college education schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $63,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Central Michigan University came in at #3 on our 2026 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. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value community college education schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the community college education program here. Community College Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value community college education schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $25,174. Early-career community college education graduates make about $54,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
