[Community College Education](/majors/education/educational-administration/community-college-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong community college education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for community college education students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in community college education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for community college education in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $15,525. Early-career community college education graduates make about $67,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Stanislaus earned it the #2 place for community college education. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $46,807. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for community college education. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $105,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #4 place for community college education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #5 place for community college education. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey City University earned the #6 position for value in community college education this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $22,107. Community College Education graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $67,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
San Francisco State University landed the #7 spot for community college education value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $17,024. Community College Education graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $98,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah ranked #8 on our 2026 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. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value community college education schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $26,001. Community College Education graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $63,648 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University came in at #10 for value in community college education this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. 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 $59,826. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Alcorn State University placed #11 among the best values for community college education. Located in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $29,674 median debt. Alcorn State University admits about 45% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value community college education schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. 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%.
Mississippi State University landed the #13 spot for community college education value this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $45,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
San Diego State University earned the #14 position for value in community college education this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $16,417. Early-career community college education graduates make about $69,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Morgan State University landed the #15 spot for community college education value this year. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $8,229, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $30,309 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $58,053. Set against $30,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Central Michigan University placed #16 among the best values for community college education. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the community college education program here. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $62,488. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University placed #17 among the best values for community college education. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value community college education schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $22,386. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $53,291. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Arkansas ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value community college education schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $53,652. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Kansas State University came in at #20 for value in community college education this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the community college education program here. Community College Education graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $59,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Iowa State University landed the #21 spot for community college education value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $53,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Suny At Albany ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value community college education schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $23,521. Community College Education graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $51,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #23 position for value in community college education this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the community college education program here. Community College Education graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,433 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Walden University landed the #24 spot for community college education value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $49,361 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $65,192. Set against $49,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan University landed the #25 spot for community college education value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the community college education program here. Community College Education graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $72,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Explore the best-value community college education schools at other degree levels:
View All Community College Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
