2027 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Adult & Continuing Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/adult-continuing-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong adult & continuing education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 61 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for adult & continuing education students.
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2027 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
Leading the list is University Of South Florida Main Campus, our #1 best value for adult & continuing education in the United States. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,995 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. That is a strong return on a $20,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #2 place for adult & continuing education. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $16,490 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $44,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nevada Las Vegas one of the best values for adult & continuing education. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $24,913 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. That is a strong return on a $24,913 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in adult & continuing education will find it at North Carolina A And T State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $29,078 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,078 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in adult & continuing education will find it at Morehead State University, which ranked #5. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $25,292. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $36,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Indiana State University landed the #6 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $40,204. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Dominican University landed the #7 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Georgia placed #8 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $18,229 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $46,162. Set against $18,229 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #9 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, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $18,646 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Coppin State University earned the #10 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,024. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $33,865 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Coppin State University earn a median of $50,062 early in their careers. Set against $33,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #11 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $26,999 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $36,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,999 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Western Kentucky University landed the #12 spot for adult & continuing education value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $37,288. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Alabama ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Located in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, while out-of-state students pay about $20,090. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $54,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #14 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alva. In-state tuition and fees average $5,970, compared with $11,664 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $21,542. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Northwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $44,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern Oklahoma State University admits about 66% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #15 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $22,075 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $41,582. That is a strong return on a $22,075 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in adult & continuing education this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University earned the #17 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Eastern Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Cheney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Students borrow a median of $20,885 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,885 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana landed the #18 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $23,662 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $46,908. Set against $23,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Ball State University landed the #19 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $24,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $41,821. Set against $24,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #20 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $22,626. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $44,049. That is a strong return on a $22,626 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
San Diego State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Southern Maine placed #22 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $47,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #23 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, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $46,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Idaho placed #24 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $26,750. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $40,677. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #25 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $24,763. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $42,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% 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
Explore the best-value adult & continuing education schools at other degree levels:
View All Adult & Continuing Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
