2027 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Associate’s Degree Schools
[Associate Degree Schools](/majors/engineering-technologies/electromechanical-engineering-technology/mechatronics-robotics-and-automation-engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for associate degree schools students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the associate degree schools degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Associate Degree Schools Schools
For return on investment in associate degree schools, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $9,862. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Schoolcraft College one of the best values for associate degree schools. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #4 place for associate degree schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in associate degree schools, landing the #5 spot this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $30,235. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College placed #6 among the best values for associate degree schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $10,266. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College came in at #7 for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $12,525. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College came in at #8 for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $47,188 early in their careers. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palo Alto College placed #9 among the best values for associate degree schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $9,430. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Palo Alto College generally make around $29,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #10 for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #11 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $16,374. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $38,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $11,780. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blackhawk Technical College earned the #13 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Located in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,747, compared with $6,803 for out-of-state students. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $44,256. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.
Lakeshore Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $11,582. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Lakeshore Technical College earn a median of $41,252 early in their careers. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #15 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,960 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $42,016. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College earned the #16 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College came in at #17 for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Students borrow a median of $7,457 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $41,696. Set against $7,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #18 among the best values for associate degree schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $60,488 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College placed #19 among the best values for associate degree schools. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $65,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Catawba Valley Community College placed #20 among the best values for associate degree schools. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,427, while out-of-state students pay about $7,803. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $9,842. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $38,219 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,842 median debt.
Adirondack Community College earned the #21 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Queensbury. In-state tuition and fees average $6,844, with out-of-state students paying around $9,616. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $12,358. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $31,590. That is a strong return on a $12,358 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $62,556. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earned the #23 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fennimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,904, compared with $7,147 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,112 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $42,087. Set against $12,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical landed the #24 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Set in the town of Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,432 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,522 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Minnesota State College Southeast Technical generally make around $50,290. Set against $22,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology earned the #25 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $27,000. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $63,124 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Other Associate Degree Schools Degree Levels
Explore the best-value associate degree schools schools at other degree levels:
View All Associate Degree Schools 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
