2027 Best Value Secondary School Administration/Principalship Schools
[Secondary School Administration/Principalship](/majors/education/educational-administration/secondary-school-administration-principalship/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary school administration/principalship students.
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Finding the Best Value Secondary School Administration/Principalship School for You
The secondary school administration/principalship program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Secondary School Administration/Principalship Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Secondary School Administration/Principalship Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Secondary School Administration/Principalship Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary school administration/principalship, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Secondary School Administration/Principalship Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among secondary school administration/principalship schools in the United States. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $67,864. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary school administration/principalship, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $27,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $64,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Worcester State University earned it the #3 place for secondary school administration/principalship. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $24,451. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $45,297. That is a strong return on a $24,451 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Fitchburg State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary school administration/principalship, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,840 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $48,965 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Washington State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary school administration/principalship, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Marshall University landed the #6 spot for secondary school administration/principalship value this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $55,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary school administration/principalship schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,078 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. That is a strong return on a $29,078 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #8 spot for secondary school administration/principalship value this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary school administration/principalship schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $75,270. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College came in at #10 for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $22,974 in student loans. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $65,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Carolina Central University came in at #11 for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $31,173. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $65,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #12 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $28,781. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary school administration/principalship schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $23,585. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University came in at #14 for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $21,992. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $69,507. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #15 spot for secondary school administration/principalship value this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $23,289. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $46,212. Set against $23,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University placed #16 among the best values for secondary school administration/principalship. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of Capella University earn a median of $67,347 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Washington University came in at #17 for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $21,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $44,178. Set against $21,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Illinois State University earned the #18 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,896 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Valley College earned the #19 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,700. Students borrow a median of $27,892 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $44,318. That is a strong return on a $27,892 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #20 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $44,294. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University earned the #21 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $56,609. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama landed the #22 spot for secondary school administration/principalship value this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $50,740. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Robert Morris University earned the #23 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Located in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,770. Students borrow a median of $26,748 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Robert Morris University generally make around $58,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Charleston Southern University placed #24 among the best values for secondary school administration/principalship. Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,520. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $27,569 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Charleston Southern University generally make around $46,288. That is a strong return on a $27,569 median debt. Charleston Southern University admits about 96% of applicants.
Rider University earned the #25 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $74,777. That is a strong return on a $26,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Secondary School Administration/Principalship Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for secondary school administration/principalship this year:
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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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
