[General Educational Leadership & Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/educational-leadership-and-administration-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 529 schools to find the best return on investment for general educational leadership & administration students.
Finding the Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration School for You
The general educational leadership & administration program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for general educational leadership & administration in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $96,306. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $108,990. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $11,691. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $15,149. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $111,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Central Texas earned it the #5 place for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $23,160. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #6 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #7 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #8 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $95,050. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Northridge ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $84,058. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $15,598. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $113,758. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $102,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Florida ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $75,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #13 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $96,352. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny City College earned the #14 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $13,389. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $117,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
California State University East Bay came in at #15 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $95,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Utah Valley University landed the #16 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Cuny Queens College earned the #17 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #18 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $96,042. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University landed the #19 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $62,186 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #20 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $11,861. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Southern Utah University landed the #22 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $12,886. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport came in at #23 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,327. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $28,907. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $61,569 early in their careers. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #25 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $64,695. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general educational leadership & administration value ranking:
General Educational Leadership & Administration Related Rankings by Major
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Educational Leadership & Administration. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 529 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 529 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).
[General Educational Leadership & Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/educational-leadership-and-administration-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
