by our College Data Analytics Team
[Associate Degree Schools](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 285 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value associate degree schools schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in associate degree schools, balancing cost against outcomes.
Grossmont College tops our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Moreno Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in associate degree schools, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $12,643. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for associate degree schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Associate Degree Schools graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best values for associate degree schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Miami Dade College came in at #6 for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $11,967. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $40,267. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College earned the #7 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $17,900. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,900 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College placed #8 among the best values for associate degree schools. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Associate Degree Schools graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Florida State College earned the #9 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. Students from in state pay about $2,791 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,976. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $18,123. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $44,690. Set against $18,123 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #10 for value in associate degree schools this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University earned the #11 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $16,478. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State College earned the #12 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,401 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $13,356. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $52,597. Set against $13,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Los Angeles College earned the #13 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $8,180. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Set against $8,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #14 among the best values for associate degree schools. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $35,887. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt.
Palm Beach State College came in at #15 for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $12,518. Early-career associate degree schools graduates make about $42,501. That is a strong return on a $12,518 median debt.
Phoenix College landed the #16 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $15,204. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Herkimer County Community College landed the #17 spot for associate degree schools value this year. Set in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Herkimer County Community College earn a median of $31,468 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Mesa Community College earned the #18 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $13,750. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anne Arundel Community College came in at #19 for value in associate degree schools this year. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,322, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $13,947. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,947 median debt.
Broward College earned the #20 position for value in associate degree schools this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,830, with out-of-state students paying around $8,952. Students borrow a median of $13,110 to complete the associate degree schools program here. Associate Degree Schools graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,110 median debt.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value associate degree schools schools. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,056. Typical student debt for associate degree schools graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, associate degree schools degree recipients from Keiser University Ft Lauderdale generally make around $27,693. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Explore the best-value associate degree schools schools at other degree levels:
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 · 285 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.