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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1 Colleges in the United States
$24,576 Avg Student Debt
$57,012 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Bachelor's Degree Badge [Adult & Continuing Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/adult-continuing-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 92 schools to find the best return on investment for adult & continuing education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in adult & continuing education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools

1
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny City College the best value for a degree in adult & continuing education in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $9,916 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $53,154. That is a strong return on a $9,916 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

2

Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #2 spot 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, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $16,490. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $44,522. That is a strong return on a $16,490 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

3

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $20,995. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $52,885. Set against $20,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

4

University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $24,913. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,913 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

5

North Carolina A And T State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult & continuing education, landing the #5 spot this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $29,078 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

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6

University Of Georgia ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $18,229. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $46,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

7

Coppin State University earned the #7 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Students borrow a median of $33,865 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $50,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coppin State University admits about 46% of applicants.

8
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University came in at #8 for value in adult & continuing education this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $25,000. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $37,288. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

9

Morehead State University landed the #9 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $25,292. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $36,198. That is a strong return on a $25,292 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

10
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $18,646 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $63,111. Set against $18,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

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11

Eastern Washington University earned the #11 position for value in adult & continuing education this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $20,885 in student loans. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Set against $20,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

12
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University came in at #12 for value in adult & continuing education this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $40,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

13

Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $21,424. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $36,847. Set against $21,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

14

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #14 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $46,765. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

15

Northwestern Oklahoma State University placed #15 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,970, while out-of-state students pay about $11,664. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $22,438. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $46,196 early in their careers. Set against $22,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of Idaho landed the #16 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $40,677. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.

17

University Of West Alabama placed #17 among the best values for adult & continuing education. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $54,953. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.

18

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,864, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $23,662. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $46,908 early in their careers. Set against $23,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana admits about 92% of applicants.

19

Troy University placed #19 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $25,000. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Troy University earn a median of $42,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.

20

University Of Southern Maine landed the #20 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,549. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.

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21

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #21 for value in adult & continuing education this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,763 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $42,789 early in their careers. Set against $24,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

22

University Of Arizona placed #22 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $18,687 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $50,834. Set against $18,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

23

Ball State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $24,655 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $41,821. Set against $24,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

24

Suny College At Buffalo landed the #24 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $26,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $36,654. Set against $26,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.

25

San Diego State University placed #25 among the best values for adult & continuing 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $51,162. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in adult & continuing education:

26
27
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO
28
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30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Alverno College crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
47
Muskingum University crest
Muskingum University
New Concord, OH
48
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
49
Brenau University crest
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA
50

Other Adult & Continuing Education Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Adult & Continuing Education rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Adult & Continuing Education
Associate's Degrees in Adult & Continuing Education
Master's Degrees in Adult & Continuing Education
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View All Adult & Continuing Education Rankings >

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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 · 92 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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