2027 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in Alabama

[Educational Administration](/majors/education/educational-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 9 schools to find the best return on investment for educational administration students.
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2027 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in educational administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Educational Administration Schools
For return on investment in educational administration, no school beat University Of North Alabama this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of West Alabama came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $65,443. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Auburn University At Montgomery came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,700, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $29,746. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $44,249. Set against $29,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Jacksonville State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,751 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $67,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of South Alabama is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $26,513. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $51,592. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #6 spot for educational administration value this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $26,162. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $69,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama landed the #7 spot for educational administration value this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $73,917. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University came in at #8 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Samford University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,150. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Samford University earn a median of $78,489 early in their careers. Set against $21,039 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.