[Community College Education](/majors/education/educational-administration/community-college-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for community college education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in community college education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Old Dominion University tops our 2027 list of the best value community college education schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the community college education program here. Community College Education graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $63,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Alcorn State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in community college education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,785. Students borrow a median of $29,674 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $37,028. Set against $29,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
A rank of #3 makes East Carolina University one of the best values for community college education. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. 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. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mississippi State University earned it the #4 place for community college education. 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, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $23,969. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $45,794. That is a strong return on a $23,969 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Arkansas one of the best values for community college education. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $24,019. Community College Education graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $77,499 early in their careers. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #6 among the best values for community college education. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $23,013 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $69,402. That is a strong return on a $23,013 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Community College Education Schools by State
More Community College Education Rankings
View All Community College Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
