2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in Colorado

[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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools.
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2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in Colorado
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 University Of Northern Colorado the best value for a degree in higher education/higher education administration in Colorado. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $59,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $22,843. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $82,366 early in their careers. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at University Of Denver, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $81,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.