2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for higher education/higher education administration in the United States. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $15,525. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $96,306 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $65,726. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

3

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #3. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

4

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $113,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

5

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $84,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #6 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $17,669. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $75,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

7

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #7 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

8

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University came in at #8 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $16,478. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #9 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $20,115. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

10

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #10 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $16,481. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

11

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #11 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $69,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

12

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #12 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

13

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #13 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $67,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

14

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #14 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $14,694. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $61,569 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA

University Of North Georgia earned the #15 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

16

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $25,209. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $63,264. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

17

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University landed the #17 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $49,116. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

18

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #18 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $103,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

19

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University landed the #19 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $25,286. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $78,952. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

20

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #20 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $59,901 early in their careers. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $24,977. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $75,462. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

22

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida earned the #22 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $18,523. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $54,551. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

23

Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peters College came in at #23 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $76,437. That is a strong return on a $22,969 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

24

Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses
Stockton, CA

Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses earned the #24 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Stockton, Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,500. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $42,366. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $80,195. That is a strong return on a $42,366 median debt.

25

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $21,255. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $72,797. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.