2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in Minnesota

[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong higher education/higher education administration education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for higher education/higher education administration students.
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2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in Minnesota
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the higher education/higher education administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
Saint Cloud State University earned the #1 spot for value among higher education/higher education administration schools in Minnesota. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $76,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,076 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Capella University earned it the #2 place for higher education/higher education administration. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $67,347. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Bethel University Minnesota one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $94,291. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned it the #4 place for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $47,377. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.