2026 Best Value Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Master’s Degree Schools
[Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship](/majors/education/educational-administration/elementary-and-middle-school-administration-principalship/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary & middle school administration/principalship education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary & middle school administration/principalship students.
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2026 Best Value Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the elementary & middle school administration/principalship degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Southern Maine the best value for a degree in elementary & middle school administration/principalship in the United States. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $23,593. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Worcester State University one of the best values for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $24,451. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. That is a strong return on a $24,451 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Arkansas State University Main Campus one of the best values for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $55,518. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Northern Arizona University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $59,826. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Missouri State University earned it the #5 place for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $43,255. Set against $23,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #6 among the best values for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $25,257. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $55,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Fitchburg State University landed the #7 spot for elementary & middle school administration/principalship value this year. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $25,840. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $48,965. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College came in at #8 for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $22,974. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $65,798. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #9 for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Ball State University landed the #10 spot for elementary & middle school administration/principalship value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $24,518. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $63,782 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Central Missouri placed #11 among the best values for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,304 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville landed the #12 spot for elementary & middle school administration/principalship value this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $58,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Idaho State University came in at #13 for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $51,446. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny At Albany ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. 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, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Mary ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $54,998. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Carson Newman College earned the #16 position for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $22,843. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $48,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,843 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University At Buffalo landed the #17 spot for elementary & middle school administration/principalship value this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $44,571 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University placed #19 among the best values for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $72,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Charleston Southern University came in at #20 for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,520. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $27,569. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Charleston Southern University generally make around $46,288. That is a strong return on a $27,569 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Northwest Nazarene University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. Set in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,824. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $27,562 in student loans. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Northwest Nazarene University earn a median of $68,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,562 median debt. Northwest Nazarene University admits about 65% of applicants.
Wilkes University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $85,253. Set against $26,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.
Concordia University Ann Arbor placed #23 among the best values for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, Concordia University Ann Arbor is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,410. Students borrow a median of $27,584 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Concordia University Ann Arbor earn a median of $54,043 early in their careers. Set against $27,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #24 among the best values for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $94,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Northcentral University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. Located in the city of San Diego, Northcentral University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,594 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $42,500 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Northcentral University earn a median of $62,828 early in their careers. Set against $42,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year:
Other Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship rankings across degree levels:
View All Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
