2027 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary & middle school administration/principalship students.
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2027 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
Leading the list is Worcester State University, our #1 best value for elementary & middle school administration/principalship in the United States. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $24,451 in student loans. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $45,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Fitchburg State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Students borrow a median of $25,840 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $48,965. Set against $25,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary & middle school administration/principalship, landing the #4 spot this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $55,518. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University came in at #5 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $21,645. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $59,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Ball State University landed the #7 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $63,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $22,974 in student loans. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $65,798 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $45,496. That is a strong return on a $24,304 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #10 for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany came in at #11 for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $65,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University At Buffalo landed the #13 spot for elementary & middle school administration/principalship value this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $22,232. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $44,571. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University earned the #14 position for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. 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 elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $72,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Carson Newman College came in at #15 for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,700. 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%.
The University Of Alabama placed #16 among the best values for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $24,496. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $50,740. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Wilkes University earned the #17 position for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. 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. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $26,601. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $85,253 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #18 position for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $94,291. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Northcentral University came in at #19 for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. Northcentral University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,594. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $42,500. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Northcentral University generally make around $62,828. That is a strong return on a $42,500 median debt.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #20 spot for elementary & middle school administration/principalship value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $47,377. That is a strong return on a $23,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Drexel University came in at #21 for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $66,384. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
High Point University earned the #22 position for value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship this year. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. In-state tuition and fees average $45,312. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.
Other Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Degree Levels
Explore the best-value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools at other degree levels:
View All Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
