2026 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in educational administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Educational Administration Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among educational administration schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $75,483. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in educational administration will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fayetteville Technical Community College earned it the #3 place for educational administration. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $83,156 early in their careers. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
A rank of #5 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for educational administration. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $20,212. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $64,695. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Louisiana State University Shreveport landed the #6 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,327. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $45,300. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Stanly Community College landed the #7 spot for educational administration value this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.
The University Of West Florida placed #8 among the best values for educational administration. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $60,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Johnston Community College earned the #9 position for value in educational administration this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in educational administration this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University landed the #11 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $49,116 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $27,089 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $64,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Haywood Community College landed the #13 spot for educational administration value this year. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,580, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $35,767.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $65,305. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Fayetteville State University placed #15 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $27,869 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $63,764. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Fairmont State University came in at #16 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $26,447. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $45,920. That is a strong return on a $26,447 median debt. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia came in at #17 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $21,439. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $43,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #18 spot for educational administration value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $67,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #19 spot for educational administration value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $67,864. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #20 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $21,620. Educational Administration graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $66,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University earned the #21 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $45,060. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Murray State University landed the #22 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $53,881. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #23 position for value in educational administration this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $75,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System placed #24 among the best values for educational administration. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Florida earned the #25 position for value in educational administration this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $54,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Educational Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in educational administration:
Narrow Educational Administration Schools by State
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 · 244 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 109 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Educational Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/) 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.
