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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Associate’s Degree Schools

1 Colleges in the United States
$12,000 Avg Student Debt
$62,696 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Associate's Degree Badge [Associate Degree Schools](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/communication-management-and-strategic-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 70 schools to find the best return on investment for associate degree schools students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 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

1

Fashion Institute Of Technology tops our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $21,006. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

Other Associate Degree Schools Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Associate Degree Schools rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Associate Degree Schools
Bachelor's Degrees in Associate Degree Schools
Master's Degrees in Associate Degree Schools
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View All Associate Degree Schools Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 70 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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