2026 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Associate’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #1 spot for value among associate degree schools schools in the United States. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $8,884 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $26,907. That is a strong return on a $8,884 median debt.

2

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

A rank of #2 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for associate degree schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,255 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,255 median debt.

3

Snow College
Ephraim, UT

Snow College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $10,440. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.

4

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ivy Tech Community College earned it the #4 place for associate degree schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $11,193. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $34,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,193 median debt.

5

Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI

Kellogg Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Battle Creek. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Wayne County Community College District
Detroit, MI

Wayne County Community College District earned the #6 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Wayne County Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,112, while out-of-state students pay about $4,067. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $20,820 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $48,892. Set against $20,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #7 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $15,866. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $36,644. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.

8

St Clair County Community College
Port Huron, MI

St Clair County Community College came in at #8 for value in associate degree schools this year. St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Port Huron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,212, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $16,379. Associate Degree Schools graduates of St Clair County Community College earn a median of $32,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Southeast Community College Area
Lincoln, NE

Southeast Community College Area came in at #9 for value in associate degree schools this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,552 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $28,473 early in their careers. Set against $14,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood, CO

Red Rocks Community College placed #10 among the best values for associate degree schools. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $17,667. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $72,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,667 median debt.

11

Modesto Junior College
Modesto, CA

Modesto Junior College came in at #11 for value in associate degree schools this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $28,102. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.

12

Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO

Pikes Peak Community College placed #12 among the best values for associate degree schools. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $50,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Community College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Community College Of Denver landed the #13 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $45,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Prince Georges Community College
Largo, MD

Prince Georges Community College placed #14 among the best values for associate degree schools. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. Students from in state pay about $4,034 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $13,949. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College generally make around $56,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Students borrow a median of $8,416 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $50,881. That is a strong return on a $8,416 median debt.

16

Cabrillo College
Aptos, CA

Cabrillo College landed the #16 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Located in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,270, while out-of-state students pay about $9,862. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Cabrillo College generally make around $47,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

American Intercontinental University Online
Chandler, AZ

American Intercontinental University Online landed the #17 spot for associate degree schools value this year. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,397. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from American Intercontinental University Online generally make around $28,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

American Intercontinental University Atlanta
Atlanta, GA

American Intercontinental University Atlanta landed the #18 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, American Intercontinental University Atlanta is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,527 in tuition and fees. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $28,600. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies landed the #19 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,896. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $39,034. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies earn a median of $34,328 early in their careers. Set against $39,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Northwest Career College
Las Vegas, NV

Northwest Career College came in at #20 for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, Northwest Career College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $18,866. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Northwest Career College earn a median of $25,286 early in their careers. Set against $18,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Bethel University Tennessee
McKenzie, TN

Bethel University Tennessee landed the #21 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,712. Students borrow a median of $17,638 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of $54,442 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,638 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

22

Sullivan University
Louisville, KY

Sullivan University placed #22 among the best values for associate degree schools. Located in the city of Louisville, Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $34,249 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $54,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.