by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong higher education/higher education administration education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for higher education/higher education administration students.
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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.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among higher education/higher education administration schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at Pennsylvania State University World Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #3 place for higher education/higher education administration. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #4 makes Gwynedd Mercy College one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,838. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $29,764 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Gwynedd Mercy College generally make around $89,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University came in at #5 on our 2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $26,259. 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%.
Immaculata University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Immaculata University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Immaculata. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,980. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $27,738. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Immaculata University earn a median of $84,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,738 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #7 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $74,610. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #8 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. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $16,155. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $112,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Widener University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,730. Students borrow a median of $26,561 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $97,054 early in their careers. Set against $26,561 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Drexel University came in at #11 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $84,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.