2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in California
[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools.
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2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in higher education/higher education administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Dominguez Hills the best value for a degree in higher education/higher education administration in California. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $15,598. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $113,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. 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. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $16,202. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $84,058 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses came in at #6 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,500. Students borrow a median of $42,366 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses earn a median of $80,195 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $42,366 median debt.
Azusa Pacific University earned the #7 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,458. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $94,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Redlands earned the #8 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,878. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $92,898. Set against $27,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
California Lutheran University landed the #9 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Thousand Oaks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,560. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $22,727. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of California Lutheran University earn a median of $84,731 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Lutheran University admits about 76% of applicants.
California Baptist University landed the #10 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $62,436. Set against $28,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
National University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of National University earn a median of $94,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of San Diego landed the #12 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,795. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $58,672 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California landed the #13 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $90,290. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
University Of San Francisco earned the #14 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $62,903. That is a strong return on a $23,935 median debt. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.
Loyola Marymount University earned the #15 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $22,248. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $89,704 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,248 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
