2026 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Associate’s Degree Schools
[Associate Degree Schools](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/energy-systems-maintenance-repair-tech/wind/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value associate degree schools schools.
What’s on this page:
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 Cloud County Community College this year. Located in the rural area of Concordia, Cloud County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $12,839 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Cloud County Community College earn a median of $53,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Other Associate Degree Schools Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Associate Degree Schools rankings across degree levels:
View All Associate Degree Schools Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
