2027 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in the Southeast Region

[Educational Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 158 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for educational administration students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in educational administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Educational Administration Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among educational administration schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $75,483. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Louisiana State University Shreveport is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,327. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $64,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in educational administration will find it at Stanly Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #6 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $83,156 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Johnston Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $9,490. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $37,472. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of West Florida placed #8 among the best values for educational administration. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $60,344 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #9 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $49,116. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of North Georgia earned the #10 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $43,714. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for educational administration. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $21,829. Educational Administration graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $59,260 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $15,117. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $67,864. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Alamance Community College placed #13 among the best values for educational administration. Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Graham. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $6,625. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $37,585. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
University Of Central Florida came in at #14 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $21,620. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $66,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Fayetteville State University earned the #15 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $27,869 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $63,764. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Fairmont State University landed the #16 spot for educational administration value this year. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,447 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $45,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #17 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $64,928. Set against $27,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System came in at #18 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,438. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $57,404. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.
Florida State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $67,960. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University earned the #20 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,530. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $55,045. That is a strong return on a $24,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Florida earned the #21 position for value in educational administration this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $54,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Haywood Community College placed #22 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,580, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $35,767.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #23 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $75,462. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Murray State University came in at #24 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $53,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Shepherd University earned the #25 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,326. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $40,748. Set against $23,326 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Educational Administration Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s educational administration value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 158 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 158 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.