College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration (Income $30-$48k)

189 Ranked Colleges
4,709 Degrees Awarded
$7,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Higher Education/Higher Education Administration is the 160th most popular major in the country with 4,709 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 189 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in higher education/higher education administration. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great higher education/higher education administration programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the higher education/higher education administration program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration (Income $30-$48k)

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to 63 students in 2020-2021.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Pennsylvania is $1,938 for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Pennsylvania Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern also took the #8 spot in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools” ranking. It costs about $917 for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwestern University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Northwestern

3
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $4,652 for higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Vanderbilt.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Vanderbilt University

4
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 189 schools in the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 8 degrees to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

UF also made our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $2,857 for higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at University of Florida

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, U-M also did well on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $5,670 for higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

6

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 14 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington excels when it comes to higher education/higher education administration quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full IU Bloomington Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

7
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Boston College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Boston College is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It awarded 44 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k list, Boston College has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools” ranking. It costs about $7,075 for higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Boston College.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Boston College

8
Baruch crest
Baruch College
New York, New York

Baruch College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Baruch is a fairly large public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 44 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Baruch College is $2,741 for higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Baruch College

9
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 37 diplomas to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $7,349 for higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Florida State University

10
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. North Carolina State University is a large school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 18 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k list, NC State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools” ranking. It costs about $9,448 for higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NC State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full North Carolina State University Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

11

With a ranking of #11, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $4,655 for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at California State University - Fresno

12

California State University - Northridge came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 24 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,103 for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at California State University - Northridge

13
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school handed out 40 degrees to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools” list. It costs about $10,063 for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

14
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $6,074 for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNF.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of North Florida Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

15

Florida International University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. FIU is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 55 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $4,882 for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full Florida International University Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

16
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Georgia is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 8 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Georgia is $10,688 for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full University of Georgia Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

17
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Oakland University is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 22 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $8,839 for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Oakland University

18

University of North Texas ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school awarded 32 degrees to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNT is $6,401 for higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UNT Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

19

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 49 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,628 for higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend ASU - Tempe.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at ASU - Tempe

20
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Appalachian State University is located in Boone, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 51 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $9,940 for higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Appalachian State University

21

Iowa State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school awarded 29 diplomas to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also claimed a top spot on our “Best Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $11,427 for higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Iowa State

22
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified ’s higher education/higher education administration students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ball State University is $10,786 for higher education/higher education administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at Ball State

23

University of Nevada - Las Vegas came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Las Vegas, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNLV is $9,602 for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

24

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is a fairly large school located in La Crosse, Wisconsin that handed out 40 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,075 for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - La Crosse.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Higher Education/Higher Education Administration at UW - La Crosse

25

Northeastern State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NSU is a medium-sized school located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma that handed out 14 ’s higher education/higher education administration degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern State University is $8,315 for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Northeastern State University Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Report

Rest of the Best 29 in Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 29 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Saint Peter's College crest
Saint Peter's University
Jersey City, New Jersey
27
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
28
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
29
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

Switch to a Similar Major

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options