2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in Pennsylvania

[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 12 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 Pennsylvania
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 Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania the best value for a degree in higher education/higher education administration in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Students borrow a median of $27,128 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $47,730. Set against $27,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at Robert Morris University, which ranked #2. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. In-state tuition and fees average $35,770. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $26,748. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Robert Morris University earn a median of $58,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $26,062 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $51,915. That is a strong return on a $26,062 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Marywood University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $27,744. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Marywood University earn a median of $53,292 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Immaculata University came in at #6 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the suburb of Immaculata, Immaculata University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,980 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $27,738. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Immaculata University generally make around $84,082. That is a strong return on a $27,738 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Gwynedd Mercy College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,838 in tuition and fees. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $29,764 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Gwynedd Mercy College earn a median of $89,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,764 median debt. Gwynedd Mercy College admits about 90% of applicants.
Temple University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $78,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #9 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $112,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #10 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $74,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Duquesne University placed #11 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $54,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University placed #12 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $84,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.