2026 Best Value Secondary School Administration/Principalship Master’s Degree Schools
[Secondary School Administration/Principalship](/majors/education/educational-administration/secondary-school-administration-principalship/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for secondary school administration/principalship students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Secondary School Administration/Principalship Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the secondary school administration/principalship degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Secondary School Administration/Principalship Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in secondary school administration/principalship in the United States. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $67,864 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary school administration/principalship schools. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary school administration/principalship schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,940 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina A And T State University earned it the #4 place for secondary school administration/principalship. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $29,078. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $54,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Wayne State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary school administration/principalship, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $65,798. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #6 among the best values for secondary school administration/principalship. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $23,585. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #7 for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $23,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Fitchburg State University earned the #8 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $48,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
North Carolina Central University landed the #9 spot for secondary school administration/principalship value this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,173 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $65,158. That is a strong return on a $31,173 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Appalachian State University earned the #10 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. 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 $48,683. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earned the #11 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $47,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #12 for value in secondary school administration/principalship 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $24,304. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $45,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Eastern Michigan University placed #13 among the best values for secondary school administration/principalship. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Northern State University placed #14 among the best values for secondary school administration/principalship. Located in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $45,824. That is a strong return on a $26,143 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Capella University earned the #15 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $35,998. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of Capella University earn a median of $64,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Lindenwood University landed the #16 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. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. 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.
University Of Mary landed the #17 spot for secondary school administration/principalship value this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $54,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Illinois State University landed the #18 spot for secondary school administration/principalship value this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University placed #19 among the best values for secondary school administration/principalship. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $27,981. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $61,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama landed the #20 spot for secondary school administration/principalship value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Charleston Southern University placed #21 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. In-state tuition and fees average $32,520. Students borrow a median of $27,569 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Early-career secondary school administration/principalship graduates make about $46,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #22 spot for secondary school administration/principalship value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, secondary school administration/principalship degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $64,406. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Campbell University came in at #23 for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,600. Students borrow a median of $23,641 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of Campbell University earn a median of $54,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Rider University earned the #24 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Students borrow a median of $26,241 to complete the secondary school administration/principalship program here. Secondary School Administration/principalship graduates of Rider University earn a median of $48,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,241 median debt. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Mckendree University earned the #25 position for value in secondary school administration/principalship this year. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,740. Typical student debt for secondary school administration/principalship graduates is $24,362. 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. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Secondary School Administration/Principalship Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s secondary school administration/principalship value ranking:
Other Secondary School Administration/Principalship Degree Levels
Explore the best-value secondary school administration/principalship schools at other degree levels:
View All Secondary School Administration/Principalship Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
