2027 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 59 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value adult & continuing education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Florida International University earned the #1 spot for value among adult & continuing education schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,399. That is a strong return on a $16,490 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $52,885. Set against $20,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Students looking for strong value in adult & continuing education will find it at Portland State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $43,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Nevada Las Vegas one of the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $24,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Houston Victoria one of the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Empire State College landed the #6 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $62,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Georgia placed #7 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $18,229 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,457 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,229 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Morehead State University landed the #8 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,292 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $49,684. Set against $25,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Dominican University landed the #9 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. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #10 among the best values for adult & continuing education. 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, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $29,078. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #11 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $54,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University earned the #12 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $45,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University earned the #13 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alva. Students from in state pay about $5,970 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,664 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $21,542. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $44,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of West Alabama ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $54,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #16 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $26,999 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $42,663. Set against $26,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. 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. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University landed the #18 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,655 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $54,281. That is a strong return on a $24,655 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #19 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $12,999 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho placed #20 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $55,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #21 for value in adult & continuing education this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,626 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $48,439 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #22 for value in adult & continuing education this year. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. In-state tuition and fees average $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $23,662. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $46,189. That is a strong return on a $23,662 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,763 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $48,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Georgia Southern University placed #24 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $26,750. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,598 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $51,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s adult & continuing education value ranking:
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), 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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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.
