2027 Best Value Secondary School Administration/Principalship Master’s Degree 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong secondary school administration/principalship education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value secondary school administration/principalship schools.
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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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $67,864. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in secondary school administration/principalship will find it at Worcester State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $24,451 in student loans. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in secondary school administration/principalship will find it at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke, which ranked #3. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $64,928. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Fitchburg State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary school administration/principalship schools. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $25,840 in student loans. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $48,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in secondary school administration/principalship will find it at Marshall University, which ranked #5. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. 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 $52,940. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #6 spot for secondary school administration/principalship value this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $50,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Western Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for secondary school administration/principalship. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $61,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri placed #8 among the best values for secondary school administration/principalship. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $45,496. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Wayne State College placed #9 among the best values for secondary school administration/principalship. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $65,798. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Carolina Central University came in at #10 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. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $31,173 in student loans. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $65,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #11 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $47,887. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University came in at #12 for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $48,683. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. Appalachian State University admits about 90% 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary school administration/principalship schools. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $46,212. That is a strong return on a $23,289 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University placed #15 among the best values for secondary school administration/principalship. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $64,020. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Washington University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary school administration/principalship schools. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $44,178. Set against $21,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Missouri Valley College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary school administration/principalship schools. Located in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,700. Students borrow a median of $27,892 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Missouri Valley College generally make around $44,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The University Of Alabama placed #18 among the best values for secondary school administration/principalship. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $24,496. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Lindenwood University landed the #19 spot for secondary school administration/principalship value this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $56,609. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Mckendree University placed #20 among the best values for secondary school administration/principalship. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,740. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Mckendree University generally make around $57,251. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for secondary school administration/principalship. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $64,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
New England College landed the #22 spot for secondary school administration/principalship value this year. Set in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,474. Students borrow a median of $35,038 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from New England College generally make around $68,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Gwynedd Mercy College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary school administration/principalship schools. Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,838. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $29,764 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Gwynedd Mercy College generally make around $79,612. Set against $29,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Dayton earned the #24 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,140 in tuition and fees. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $54,726 early in their careers. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Other Secondary School Administration/Principalship Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Secondary School Administration/Principalship rankings across degree levels:
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.