2027 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Associate’s Degree Schools
[Associate Degree Schools](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong associate degree schools education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value associate degree schools schools.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked Modesto Junior College the best value for a degree in associate degree schools in the United States. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Queensborough Community College one of the best values for associate degree schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $8,884. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $26,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Clair County Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Located in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,212, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $16,379. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $32,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in associate degree schools will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $14,255 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $37,119. That is a strong return on a $14,255 median debt.
Snow College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in associate degree schools, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $10,440. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Global ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Students borrow a median of $8,416 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $50,881. Set against $8,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $16,066. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $50,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $6,187 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $6,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #9 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $11,193. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $34,299. That is a strong return on a $11,193 median debt.
Community College Of Aurora landed the #10 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $15,365 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $38,587. Set against $15,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prince Georges Community College landed the #11 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $13,949. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #12 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Red Rocks Community College came in at #13 for value in associate degree schools this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $17,667. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $72,583 early in their careers. Set against $17,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne County Community College District earned the #14 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Wayne County Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $3,112, with out-of-state students paying around $4,067. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $20,820 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $48,892. Set against $20,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #15 for value in associate degree schools this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $14,552. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $28,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,552 median debt.
Pueblo Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,049, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,656 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $52,241. Set against $7,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arapahoe Community College earned the #17 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Arapahoe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,434, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $21,351. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $54,371 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,351 median debt.
Front Range Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,774 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $69,776. That is a strong return on a $24,774 median debt.
Cabrillo College placed #19 among the best values for associate degree schools. Cabrillo College is a large public school located in the suburb of Aptos. Students from in state pay about $1,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,862. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $10,425. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Intercontinental University Online landed the #20 spot for associate degree schools value this year. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. Students from in state pay about $12,397 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $27,750. Associate Degree Schools graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $28,600 early in their careers. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #21 for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $26,966 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $34,873 early in their careers. Set against $26,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
American Intercontinental University Atlanta landed the #22 spot for associate degree schools value this year. American Intercontinental University Atlanta is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $13,527. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $28,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Career College came in at #23 for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, Northwest Career College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $18,866 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Northwest Career College earn a median of $25,286 early in their careers. Set against $18,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Leo University came in at #24 for value in associate degree schools this year. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. In-state tuition and fees average $30,000. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $30,452. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Saint Leo University earn a median of $49,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Sullivan University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $34,249. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Sullivan University generally make around $54,104. That is a strong return on a $34,249 median debt.
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
This list is compiled 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.
