2027 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Adult & Continuing Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/adult-continuing-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 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 Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in adult & continuing education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools
For return on investment in adult & continuing education, no school beat Indiana State University this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $40,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Dominican University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,924. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Illinois University earned it the #3 place for adult & continuing education. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #4 spot this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $18,646. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Set against $18,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $39,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ball State University placed #6 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $24,655 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $48,051 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #7 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $49,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.