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2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k

46 Ranked Colleges
2,147 Degrees Awarded
$7,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 29,936 people earned their degree in general education, making the major the 35th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,138 and had an average of $29,674 in loans still to pay off.

At the associate degree level specifically, there were 2,147 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,082 and $17,678 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 46 colleges that offered a degree in general education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Middlesex County College

Edison, New Jersey
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Middlesex County College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. Middlesex County College is a fairly large school located in Edison, New Jersey that handed out 90 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Middlesex County College, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Middlesex County College is $5,292 for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Education at Middlesex County College

#2

Highland Community College

Highland, Kansas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Highland Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. Highland Community College is a small public school situated in Highland, Kansas. It awarded 48 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Highland Community College has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Highland Community College is $6,680 for Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Education at Highland Community College

#3

San Juan College

Farmington, New Mexico
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Juan College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. San Juan College is a medium-sized school located in Farmington, New Mexico that handed out 14 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

SJC also made our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for San Juan College is $5,586 for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full San Juan College General Education Report

#4

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
#25 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Pima Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. Pima Community College is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Pima County Community College District has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $2,574 for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Pima Community College.

Read full report on General Education at Pima County Community College District

#5

Santa Fe Community College

Santa Fe, New Mexico
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 46 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Santa Fe Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. SFCC is a small public school situated in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It awarded 14 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, SFCC has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFCC is $6,464 for Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SFCC General Education Report

#6

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas

El Paso Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. El Paso Community College is a large school located in El Paso, Texas that handed out 35 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend El Paso Community College is $3,978 for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Education at El Paso Community College

#7

Lehigh Carbon Community College

Schnecksville, Pennsylvania

Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 21 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,243 for Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend LCCC.

Full LCCC General Education Report

#8

Tulsa Community College

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Tulsa Community College is a public institution located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Tulsa Community College also took the #23 spot in our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Tulsa Community College is $4,835 for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Education at Tulsa Community College

Community College of Baltimore County landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this fairly large public school handed out 27 degrees to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CCBC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $6,714 for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Community College of Baltimore County.

Read full report on General Education at CCBC

#8 in overall quality

The University of Montana - Western landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Montana Western is a small school located in Dillon, Montana that handed out 26 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Montana Western has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Montana - Western is $11,142 for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Education at Montana Western

#11

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, Indiana

With a ranking of #11, Ivy Tech Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 204 diplomas to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

Ivy Tech Community College also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ivy Tech Community College is $5,397 for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Education at Ivy Tech Community College

#12

Connors State College

Warner, Oklahoma

Connors State College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Warner, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s education degrees to 144 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSC has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Connors State College is $9,825 for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Education at CSC

#13

Brookdale Community College

Lincroft, New Jersey

Brookdale Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Lincroft, New Jersey, and it awarded 122 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Brookdale Community College also made our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $7,101 for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Brookdale Community College.

Read more about General Education at Brookdale Community College

#14

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

Las Cruces, New Mexico

With a ranking of #14, New Mexico State University - Dona Ana did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. NMSU Dona Ana is a medium-sized public school situated in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It awarded 13 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,942 for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend New Mexico State University - Dona Ana.

Read more about General Education at New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

#15

Southern Maine Community College

South Portland, Maine
#9 in overall quality

Southern Maine Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. SMCC is a medium-sized school located in South Portland, Maine that handed out 22 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, SMCC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $8,902 for Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SMCC.

Full Southern Maine Community College General Education Report

With a ranking of #16, York County Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. York County Community College is a public institution located in Wells, Maine. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend York County Community College is $5,865 for Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full York County Community College General Education Report

#17

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Century College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Century College, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Century College is $9,460 for Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Education at Century College

New Mexico State University - Grants landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. New Mexico State University - Grants is located in Grants, New Mexico and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 associates’s education degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,174 for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend New Mexico State University - Grants.

Full NMSU Grants General Education Report

#19

Bunker Hill Community College

Boston, Massachusetts

Bunker Hill Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. This medium-sized school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 5 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend BHCC is $7,337 for Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Bunker Hill Community College General Education Report

#20

University of the District of Columbia

Washington, District of Columbia

University of the District of Columbia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s education degrees to 45 students in 2019-2020.

University of the District of Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of the District of Columbia is $14,743 for Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full University of the District of Columbia General Education Report

#21

Heritage University

Toppenish, Washington

Heritage University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Toppenish, Washington, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Heritage University is $9,633 for associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on General Education at Heritage University

#18 in overall quality

Central Maine Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Central Maine Community College is a small public school situated in Auburn, Maine. It awarded 10 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Maine Technical College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $5,385 for Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Central Maine Technical College.

Full Central Maine Technical College General Education Report

#23

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, Nebraska

Northeast Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northeast Community College is a public institution located in Norfolk, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 4 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,726 for Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeast Community College.

Full Northeast Community College General Education Report

#24

Weber State University

Ogden, Utah
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Weber State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Weber State University is a large public school situated in Ogden, Utah. It awarded 10 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

WSU also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Education Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WSU is $9,790 for Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Education at WSU

#25

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Perkinston, Mississippi

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is located in Perkinston, Mississippi and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 associates’s education degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is $7,303 for Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Education at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO.

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