Adult & Continuing Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for adult & continuing education students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Adult & Continuing Education School
The school you choose for adult & continuing education can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Adult & Continuing Education Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Adult & Continuing Education School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Adult & Continuing Education Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Adult & Continuing Education Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Adult & Continuing Education in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the adult & continuing education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in adult & continuing education. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 adult & continuing education degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393.
See the full adult & continuing education program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 53 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their adult & continuing education degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $59,413 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
Get the full adult & continuing education details for University Of Pennsylvania
A rank of #3 makes James Madison University one of the top schools for adult & continuing education. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 adult & continuing education degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Students who receive their adult & continuing education degree from James Madison University earn around $52,997 in the first couple years of their career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans.
Read more about the adult & continuing education program at James Madison University
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best adult & continuing education schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Graduates of the adult & continuing education program make about $60,618 in their early career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans.
See the full adult & continuing education program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick
A rank of #5 makes University Of Georgia one of the top schools for adult & continuing education. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 39 adult & continuing education degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Graduates of the adult & continuing education program make about $59,279 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,229.
See the full adult & continuing education program report for University Of Georgia
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #6 spot for adult & continuing education this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 37 adult & continuing education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the adult & continuing education program make about $54,179 in their early career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans.
See the full adult & continuing education program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Western Washington University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best adult & continuing education schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Washington University awarded about 13 adult & continuing education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their adult & continuing education degree from Western Washington University earn around $58,418 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full adult & continuing education details for Western Washington University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best adult & continuing education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Graduates of the adult & continuing education program make about $44,877 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
More information about a degree in adult & continuing education from North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Teachers College At Columbia University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best adult & continuing education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 28 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College At Columbia University in the most recent data year. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Teachers College At Columbia University earn a median of $60,962 early in their careers.
Get the full adult & continuing education details for Teachers College At Columbia University
Oregon State University earned the #10 position for adult & continuing education this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. Oregon State University awarded about 29 adult & continuing education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the adult & continuing education program make about $48,763 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,041.
See the full adult & continuing education program report for Oregon State University
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best adult & continuing education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the adult & continuing education program make about $46,244 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,626 to complete this degree.
Get the full adult & continuing education details for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Ball State University earned the #12 position for adult & continuing education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $48,051. Typical student debt for the program is $24,655.
More information about a degree in adult & continuing education from Ball State University
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #13 spot for adult & continuing education this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 15 adult & continuing education degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $57,000. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans.
Get the full adult & continuing education details for Virginia Commonwealth University
Kansas State University earned the #14 position for adult & continuing education this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their adult & continuing education degree from Kansas State University earn around $45,512 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,999.
See the full adult & continuing education program report for Kansas State University
Suny Empire State College landed the #15 spot for adult & continuing education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. There were roughly 15 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at Suny Empire State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the adult & continuing education program make about $62,860 in their early career. Suny Empire State College graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans.
Read more about the adult & continuing education program at Suny Empire State College
Drake University earned the #16 position for adult & continuing education this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Drake University earn a median of $46,479 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the adult & continuing education program at Drake University
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best adult & continuing education schools. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent data year. Graduates of the adult & continuing education program make about $51,693 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,843.
More information about a degree in adult & continuing education from Colorado State University Fort Collins
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #18 for adult & continuing education this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University World Campus graduates 34% of students within six years. About 28 adult & continuing education degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $61,674 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,062.
Read more about the adult & continuing education program at Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Oklahoma Christian University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best adult & continuing education schools. Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Edmond. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma Christian University in the most recent data year. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Oklahoma Christian University earn a median of $47,801 early in their careers. Oklahoma Christian University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full adult & continuing education program report for Oklahoma Christian University
Troy University placed #20 among the best adult & continuing education schools. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at Troy University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their adult & continuing education degree from Troy University earn around $48,733 in the first couple years of their career. Troy University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Get the full adult & continuing education details for Troy University
University Of Idaho came in at #21 for adult & continuing education this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. University Of Idaho graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Idaho in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $48,164. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full adult & continuing education details for University Of Idaho
University Of West Alabama earned the #22 position for adult & continuing education this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Livingston. About 28% of students finish within six years. About 31 adult & continuing education degrees were awarded at University Of West Alabama in the most recent year. Students who receive their adult & continuing education degree from University Of West Alabama earn around $54,953 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,894.
More information about a degree in adult & continuing education from University Of West Alabama
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana came in at #23 for adult & continuing education this year. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 adult & continuing education degrees were awarded at Northwestern State University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $46,549. Students borrow a median of $23,662 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in adult & continuing education from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Capella University placed #24 among the best adult & continuing education schools. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 20% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at Capella University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $65,786. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete this degree.
Read more about the adult & continuing education program at Capella University
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #25 spot for adult & continuing education this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 adult & continuing education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Victoria in the most recent data year. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. University Of Houston Victoria graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans.
See the full adult & continuing education program report for University Of Houston Victoria
Rest of the Top 34 Adult & Continuing Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s adult & continuing education ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 34 schools evaluated.
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).
