2026 Best Value Community College Education Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in community college education in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $96,306. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

2

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value community college education schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the community college education program here. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #3 place for community college education. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $113,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

4

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value community college education schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the community college education program here. Community College Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $111,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value community college education schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $84,058. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #6 for value in community college education this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $96,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento placed #7 among the best values for community college education. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $17,492. Early-career community college education graduates make about $77,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming earned the #8 position for value in community college education this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $49,890. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

9

New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey City University earned the #9 position for value in community college education this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete the community college education program here. Community College Education graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $67,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

10

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #10 for value in community college education this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $106,694. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

11

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #11 among the best values for community college education. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $60,527. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

12

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University earned the #12 position for value in community college education this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $23,562. Community College Education graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $96,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

13

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University earned the #13 position for value in community college education this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $63,648. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.

14

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value community college education schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $72,219. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

15

Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University came in at #15 for value in community college education this year. Located in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,785 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,674 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $37,028. That is a strong return on a $29,674 median debt. Alcorn State University admits about 45% of applicants.

16

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #16 for value in community college education this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $63,782. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

17

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #17 among the best values for community college education. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the community college education program here. Early-career community college education graduates make about $105,035. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

18

Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University landed the #18 spot for community college education value this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $23,969. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $45,794. That is a strong return on a $23,969 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

19

Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University came in at #19 for value in community college education this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,229, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $30,309 in student loans. Community College Education graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $77,064 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

20

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University earned the #20 position for value in community college education this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, community college education degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $76,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

21

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University placed #21 among the best values for community college education. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

22

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #22 position for value in community college education this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for community college education graduates is $22,386. Early-career community college education graduates make about $68,422. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

23

University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas earned the #23 position for value in community college education this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the community college education program here. Community College Education graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $77,499 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

24

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University placed #24 among the best values for community college education. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the community college education program here. Community College Education graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $59,907 early in their careers. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

25

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value community college education schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Community College Education graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Early-career community college education graduates make about $53,900. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.