[Community College Education](/majors/education/educational-administration/community-college-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong community college education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
For return on investment in community college education, no school beat California State University San Bernardino this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $15,149. Early-career community college education graduates make about $105,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the community college education program here. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $67,303. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for community college education. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Community College Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $113,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $84,058. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #6 among the best values for community college education. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $15,732. 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. The acceptance rate is 46%.
San Francisco State University earned the #7 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, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $17,020. Early-career community college education graduates make about $98,404. That is a strong return on a $17,020 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Northern Arizona University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $59,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Ball State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University landed the #10 spot for community college education value this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $26,001. Early-career community college education graduates make about $63,648. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #11 among the best values for community college education. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Community College Education graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $69,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Alcorn State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $29,674 in student loans. Community College Education graduates of Alcorn State University earn a median of $37,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,674 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
East Carolina University earned the #13 position for value in community college education this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Community College Education graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Morgan State University placed #14 among the best values for community college education. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Students borrow a median of $30,309 to complete the community college education program here. Community College Education graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $58,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,309 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #15 position for value in community college education this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,531. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
New Jersey City University placed #17 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. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $22,107. Community College Education graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $47,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Suny At Albany landed the #18 spot for community college education value this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University landed the #19 spot for community college education value this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Students borrow a median of $23,969 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $45,794. That is a strong return on a $23,969 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Central Michigan University came in at #20 for value in community college education this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #21 among the best values for community college education. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the community college education program here. Community College Education graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas landed the #22 spot for community college education value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $53,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Kansas State University came in at #23 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. 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. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #24 spot for community college education value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $44,433. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Rowan University came in at #25 for value in community college education this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $72,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s community college education value ranking:
Explore the best-value community college education schools at other degree levels:
View All Community College Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
