2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Master’s Degree Schools
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 291 schools to find the best return on investment for higher education/higher education administration students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
For return on investment in higher education/higher education administration, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $67,303. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $65,726. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $113,758. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #5 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, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $84,058 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Florida ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $59,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #7 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 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. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #9 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $69,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Jose State University came in at #11 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #12 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,647 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #13 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida International University landed the #14 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $19,349. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $49,116. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University landed the #15 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $25,286. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $74,437. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia landed the #16 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $103,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Northern Illinois University came in at #17 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $63,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Arizona State University placed #18 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $59,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #19 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $63,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of North Florida landed the #20 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. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $54,551. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $48,703 early in their careers. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Saint Peters College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $76,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #23 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,796. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $61,091. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses landed the #24 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,500. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $42,366 in student loans. 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.
University Of Houston came in at #25 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $21,255. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $65,323. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in higher education/higher education administration:
Other Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration rankings across degree levels:
View All Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 291 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 90 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.
