2026 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Bachelor’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
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in adult & continuing education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny City College the best value for a degree in adult & continuing education in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $9,916 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $53,154. That is a strong return on a $9,916 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $16,490. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $44,522. That is a strong return on a $16,490 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $20,995. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $52,885. Set against $20,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $24,913. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,913 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #5 spot this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $29,078 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Georgia ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $18,229. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $46,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Coppin State University earned the #7 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Students borrow a median of $33,865 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $50,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coppin State University admits about 46% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #8 for value in adult & continuing education this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $25,000. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $37,288. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Morehead State University landed the #9 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $25,292. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $36,198. That is a strong return on a $25,292 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $18,646 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $63,111. Set against $18,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Eastern Washington University earned the #11 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $20,885 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Set against $20,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Indiana State University came in at #12 for value in adult & continuing education this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $40,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $21,424. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $36,847. Set against $21,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #14 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $46,765. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University placed #15 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,970, while out-of-state students pay about $11,664. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $22,438. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $46,196 early in their careers. Set against $22,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho landed the #16 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $40,677. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of West Alabama placed #17 among the best values for adult & continuing education. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $54,953. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,864, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $23,662. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $46,908 early in their careers. Set against $23,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana admits about 92% of applicants.
Troy University placed #19 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $25,000. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Troy University earn a median of $42,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine landed the #20 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,549. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #21 for value in adult & continuing education this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,763 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $42,789 early in their careers. Set against $24,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Arizona placed #22 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $18,687 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $50,834. Set against $18,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $24,655 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $41,821. Set against $24,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #24 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $26,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $36,654. Set against $26,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #25 among the best values for adult & continuing education. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $51,162. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in adult & continuing education:
Other Adult & Continuing Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Adult & Continuing Education rankings across degree levels:
View All Adult & Continuing Education 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 · 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.
