2027 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value adult & continuing education schools.
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2027 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in adult & continuing education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among adult & continuing education schools in the The Plains States Region. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $25,153. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $21,598 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $36,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #3 spot this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Students borrow a median of $28,279 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $42,471. That is a strong return on a $28,279 median debt. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Capella University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Capella University earn a median of $65,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Kansas State University one of the best values for adult & continuing education. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $24,999 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $45,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Waldorf College came in at #6 for value in adult & continuing education this year. Set in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,978 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,622 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $63,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Hamline University earned the #7 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,004. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $25,530. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $59,462. That is a strong return on a $25,530 median debt. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.
Park University landed the #8 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Students borrow a median of $25,732 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $36,667. That is a strong return on a $25,732 median debt.
Drake University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $27,000. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $46,479. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Walden University landed the #10 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $47,261. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Walden University generally make around $41,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.