by our College Data Analytics Team
[Associate Degree Schools](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-biomedical-and-clinical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools to find the best return on investment for associate degree schools students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in associate degree schools, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in associate degree schools, no school beat Midwest Institute this year. Located in the suburb of Earth City, Midwest Institute is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $15,950. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Midwest Institute earn a median of $31,586 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College one of the best values for associate degree schools. Located in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,699. Students borrow a median of $21,335 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College generally make around $30,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stautzenberger College Maumee is a great value for students pursuing a degree in associate degree schools, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Maumee, Stautzenberger College Maumee is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,699. Students borrow a median of $21,335 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $30,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Stautzenberger College Brecksville one of the best values for associate degree schools. Located in the suburb of Brecksville, Stautzenberger College Brecksville is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,699 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $21,335. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Stautzenberger College Brecksville earn a median of $30,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Explore the best-value associate degree schools schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.