[Educational Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 932 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value educational administration schools.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among educational administration schools in the United States. 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. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $65,726. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for educational administration. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $67,303. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #3 place for educational administration. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $15,886. Educational Administration graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $96,352 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for educational administration. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $108,990 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Stanislaus earned it the #5 place for educational administration. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $14,813. Educational Administration graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Fresno earned the #6 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $15,598. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $113,758. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Florida placed #7 among the best values for educational administration. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $59,791 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Northridge ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $16,202. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $84,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles placed #9 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $102,715. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #10 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $117,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #11 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $105,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College placed #12 among the best values for educational administration. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $100,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #14 for value in educational administration this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University landed the #15 spot for educational administration value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $62,186 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
California State University East Bay came in at #16 for value in educational administration this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $18,073. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $95,100. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $64,695 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University placed #18 among the best values for educational administration. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $66,621. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Western Governors University landed the #19 spot for educational administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,277 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $71,905. That is a strong return on a $23,277 median debt.
Louisiana State University Shreveport landed the #20 spot for educational administration value this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,327. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $28,907. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #21 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $21,181. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $69,469 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #22 spot for educational administration value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $61,569. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of West Florida earned the #23 position for value in educational administration this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $60,344. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $59,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #25 position for value in educational administration this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $17,024. Educational Administration graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $98,404 early in their careers. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Educational Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in educational administration:
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 · 932 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 311 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).