2026 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Master’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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong adult & continuing education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 92 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value adult & continuing education schools.
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
Cuny City College earned the #1 spot for value among adult & continuing education schools in the United States. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $9,916. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. That is a strong return on a $9,916 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #2 place for adult & continuing education. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $16,490. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in adult & continuing education will find it at University Of Nevada Las Vegas, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,913 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. 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. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Houston Victoria is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Suny Empire State College earned the #6 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $23,693. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $62,860 early in their careers. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Georgia placed #7 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $18,229 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $53,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $23,796. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University placed #9 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $45,211 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #10 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $50,715. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #11 for value in adult & continuing education this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. 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.
University Of Idaho came in at #12 for value in adult & continuing education this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $55,650 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Morehead State University landed the #13 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,292 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $49,684 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #14 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $21,424 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $47,030 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #15 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $56,882. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of West Alabama came in at #16 for value in adult & continuing education this year. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,990, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $54,953. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #17 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $53,128 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Located in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,970, while out-of-state students pay about $11,664. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $22,438 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Northwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $46,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Troy University landed the #19 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. Students from in state pay about $10,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Troy University earn a median of $54,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #20 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. 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 $48,267. Set against $24,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Ball State University came in at #21 for value in adult & continuing education this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $54,281. Set against $24,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $46,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
San Diego State University earned the #23 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #24 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $26,999. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $42,663 early in their careers. Set against $26,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #25 for value in adult & continuing education this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $23,625. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $48,022. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for adult & continuing education this year:
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
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 20 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.
