2026 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in Kentucky
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the educational administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Educational Administration Schools
Leading the list is Northern Kentucky University, our #1 best value for educational administration in Kentucky. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $83,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #2 place for educational administration. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,420. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Kentucky University earned it the #3 place for educational administration. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,122. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $46,812. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #4 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for educational administration. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $71,618. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University placed #6 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $61,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Georgetown College earned the #7 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,840. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Georgetown College earn a median of $57,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,938 median debt. Georgetown College admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,094. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $57,665. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Pikeville College placed #9 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,850. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $22,966. Educational Administration graduates of Pikeville College earn a median of $47,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Louisville earned the #10 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $21,910. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $82,333. Set against $21,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University earned the #11 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,998. Students borrow a median of $24,148 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $43,474. That is a strong return on a $24,148 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Asbury University placed #12 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the town of Wilmore, Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,640. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $28,104. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Asbury University generally make around $68,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Bellarmine University placed #13 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,770. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $26,766 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $46,024 early in their careers. Set against $26,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bellarmine University admits about 86% of applicants.
Union College Kentucky earned the #14 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the town of Barbourville, Union College Kentucky is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,946. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $54,587. That is a strong return on a $27,852 median debt. Union College Kentucky admits about 63% of applicants.
Spalding University landed the #15 spot for educational administration value this year. Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $29,000 in tuition and fees. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $29,862 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Spalding University earn a median of $51,978 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,862 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
