2026 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Associate’s Degree Schools
[Adult & Continuing Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/adult-continuing-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 92 schools to find the best return on investment for adult & continuing education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the adult & continuing education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools
Cochise College tops our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools in the United States. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $12,013. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. Set against $12,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Portland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #2 spot this year. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,440. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $20,648 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Portland Community College earn a median of $49,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Brenau University one of the best values for adult & continuing education. Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $33,757. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $38,250. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Brenau University generally make around $47,002. That is a strong return on a $38,250 median debt. Brenau University admits about 88% of applicants.
Other Adult & Continuing Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Adult & Continuing Education rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 92 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
