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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Associate’s Degree Schools

8 Colleges in the United States
$14,766 Avg Student Debt
$38,302 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Associate's Degree Badge [Associate Degree Schools](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cyber-computer-forensics-and-counterterrorism/) 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.

College Factual analyzed 148 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value associate degree schools schools.

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2026 Best Value Associate Degree Schools Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in associate degree schools, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Associate Degree Schools Schools

1
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in associate degree schools in the United States. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $24,385. Associate Degree Schools graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #2 place for associate degree schools. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $12,525. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Students looking for strong value in associate degree schools will find it at Miami Dade College, which ranked #3. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

College Of Southern Nevada came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $29,354. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Iowa Tech Community College earned it the #5 place for associate degree schools. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $35,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #6 for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.

7

Onondaga Community College placed #7 among the best values for associate degree schools. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $35,781. That is a strong return on a $12,623 median debt.

8

Chemeketa Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $14,040. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $15,755. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $45,440. That is a strong return on a $15,755 median debt.

9

Wayne County Community College District ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,112, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $20,820 in student loans. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $48,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Rose State College crest
Rose State College
Midwest City, OK

Rose State College earned the #10 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,286 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Rose State College generally make around $58,988. That is a strong return on a $10,286 median debt.

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11

Washington State Community College came in at #11 for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $16,291. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $15,995. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Herkimer County Community College landed the #13 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Located in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $12,000. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Herkimer County Community College earn a median of $31,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Guilford Technical Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Located in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,320, while out-of-state students pay about $7,696. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $20,501 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Guilford Technical Community College generally make around $36,124. Set against $20,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Manchester Community College Nh landed the #15 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Set in the city of Manchester, Manchester Community College Nh is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,090, with out-of-state students paying around $15,340. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,063 ten years after entry.

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16

Anne Arundel Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Anne Arundel Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Arnold. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. Set against $13,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas landed the #17 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Set in the city of Caguas, Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $5,887. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Columbia Centro Universitario Caguas earn a median of $22,168 early in their careers. Set against $5,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,056. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earn a median of $27,693 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale admits about 97% of applicants.

Other Associate Degree Schools Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Associate Degree Schools rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Associate Degree Schools
Bachelor's Degrees in Associate Degree Schools
Master's Degrees in Associate Degree Schools
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View All Associate Degree Schools Rankings >

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Notes and References

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 · 148 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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