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

[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools.
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2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in Texas
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
For return on investment in higher education/higher education administration, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. 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. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio 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 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. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,312. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $71,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at University Of Houston, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $72,797. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,796. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $77,896. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Wiley College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Wiley College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marshall. Students from in state pay about $12,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $34,260 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $30,138. That is a strong return on a $34,260 median debt.
University Of North Texas ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $21,817. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $77,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #8 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,508 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $47,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $59,787. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #10 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,659. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $72,264. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University came in at #11 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $24,271. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $64,027 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $20,031. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $60,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Houston Baptist University placed #13 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $39,430 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,601 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $63,989. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Belton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,300. Students borrow a median of $26,782 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $59,942 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,782 median debt. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor admits about 96% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University placed #15 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,200. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,772. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $65,554 early in their careers. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Dallas Baptist University came in at #16 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $22,819. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $83,576. Set against $22,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University placed #17 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $22,960. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $64,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University landed the #18 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $20,712. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $90,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,928. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $42,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.