2027 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/) 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 200 schools to find the best return on investment for higher education/higher education administration students.
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2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the United States
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
Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in higher education/higher education administration in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $15,525. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $67,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. 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. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #5 place for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #6 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $96,352. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Southern Utah University earned the #8 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. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Utah Valley University came in at #9 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #10 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,834. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. 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. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $61,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #12 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $21,181. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $69,469. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University placed #13 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses placed #14 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Stockton, Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Florida State University landed the #15 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $51,647. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
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. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $49,116. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #17 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $53,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #18 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #19 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $63,464. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University landed the #20 spot for higher education/higher education administration value 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, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of North Florida landed the #21 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. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $18,523. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $54,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
National Louis University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $29,242. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $73,738 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System landed the #23 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Illinois University earned the #24 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $25,209. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $63,264. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Saint Peters College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,969 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $50,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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:
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 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 · 200 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 200 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.
