2026 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Master’s Degree Schools
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general educational leadership & administration education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 798 schools to find the best return on investment for general educational leadership & administration students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general educational leadership & administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $61,459. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $67,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. 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. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 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. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Stanislaus earned it the #5 place for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Fresno came in at #6 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $15,598. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $113,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida earned the #7 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $17,669. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $59,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge earned the #8 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $84,058. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $102,715. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #10 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino placed #11 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $15,149. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $105,826. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #12 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $100,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #13 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. 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. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College earned the #14 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $12,157. 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. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University came in at #15 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. 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%.
California State University East Bay came in at #16 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $95,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University placed #17 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $64,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #18 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $66,621. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Shreveport came in at #19 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. Students from in state pay about $7,327 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $45,300. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #20 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $61,569. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Western Governors University landed the #21 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $23,277. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $71,905 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,277 median debt.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #22 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $69,469. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida came in at #23 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $60,344. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #24 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $59,260. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
San Francisco State University earned the #25 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $98,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% 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:
Other General Educational Leadership & Administration Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Educational Leadership & Administration rankings across degree levels:
View All General Educational Leadership & Administration 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 · 798 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 239 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.
