[Community College Education](/majors/education/educational-administration/community-college-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 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.
Morgan State University earned the #1 spot for value among community college education schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. 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. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Morgan State University generally make around $77,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
New Jersey City University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $22,107. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $47,083. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
A rank of #3 makes Suny At Albany one of the best values for community college education. 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. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $51,925. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in community college education will find it at Rowan University, which ranked #4. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $72,463. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $28,838. Community College Education graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $67,556 early in their careers. Set against $28,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
