2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 222 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools.
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Finding the Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration School for You
Where you study higher education/higher education administration affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the higher education/higher education administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in higher education/higher education administration in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $96,306 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $65,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $84,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $96,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fresno came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $15,598. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $113,758. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Florida earned the #6 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $75,483. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #7 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University earned the #8 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University earned the #9 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #10 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $20,115. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $61,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #11 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $14,694. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $61,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $21,439. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $43,714. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #13 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education 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.
Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses landed the #14 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the city of Stockton, Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $42,366 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses generally make around $80,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jose State University landed the #15 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Florida International University placed #16 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $49,116 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $67,960. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #18 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $53,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $71,472. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #21 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $103,513. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Portland State University came in at #22 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $57,547 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
National Louis University landed the #23 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $87,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $25,209. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $63,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of North Florida landed the #25 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $54,551. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s higher education/higher education administration value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 222 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 222 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.
