2026 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Associate’s Degree Schools
[Associate Degree Schools](/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/energy-systems-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 167 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for associate degree schools students.
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2026 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in associate degree schools, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Associate Degree Schools Schools
For return on investment in associate degree schools, no school beat Cuny Laguardia Community College this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for associate degree schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $11,889. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in associate degree schools, landing the #3 spot this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $104,847. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Texas State Technical College one of the best values for associate degree schools. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $40,747 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Idaho State University one of the best values for associate degree schools. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $24,640. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Refrigeration School Inc earned the #6 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Refrigeration School Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $19,919. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Refrigeration School Inc generally make around $51,772. Set against $19,919 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), 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 · 167 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
