2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in higher education/higher education administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
For return on investment in higher education/higher education administration, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $15,886. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $96,306. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $113,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #4 place for higher education/higher education administration. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $84,058. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned it the #5 place for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. 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. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $69,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #6 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $16,481. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University earned the #7 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses came in at #8 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Stockton, Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,500. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $42,366. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses generally make around $80,195. Set against $42,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Portland State University placed #9 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $26,475. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $57,547. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,458. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,709. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $94,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Redlands ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $92,898. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #12 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $90,363. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
California Lutheran University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Thousand Oaks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,560. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of California Lutheran University earn a median of $84,731 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
California Baptist University landed the #14 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $28,169. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $62,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
National University came in at #15 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from National University generally make around $94,937. That is a strong return on a $30,426 median debt.
University Of Southern California earned the #16 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $90,290. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.
University Of San Diego placed #17 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,795. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $58,672. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Seattle University earned the #18 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $22,289 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $60,593 early in their careers. Set against $22,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seattle University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Portland placed #19 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,169 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Portland generally make around $54,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of San Francisco placed #20 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $62,903 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong higher education/higher education administration education at a price that pays off.
