Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

187 Colleges
$6,382 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$22,224 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Education Associate Degree School for You

With 327,871 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, education is the #4 most popular major in the United States.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 187 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for education students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

2023 Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools in the United States

Check out the education associate degree programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.

Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality for an Associate in Education

Our analysis found Urban College of Boston to be the best value school for education students who want to pursue a associate degree in the United States. Located in the city of Boston, Urban College of Boston is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Urban College of Boston undergraduate students pay an average of $7,124 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Education at Urban College of Boston Report

The excellent associate degree programs at Northeast Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value education schools in the United States. Located in the remote town of Norfolk, Northeast is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northeast are $5,010 per year.

Full Education at Northeast Community College Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Spokane Falls Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the medium-sized city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a public college with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Spokane Falls Community College are $5,135 per year.

Read More…

#4

Camden County College

Blackwood, NJ

The excellent associate degree programs at Camden County College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value education schools in the United States. Camden County College is a medium-sized public school located in the large suburb of Blackwood.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Camden County College are $3,744 per year.

Full Education at Camden County College Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Santa Fe Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools list. SFCC is a small public school located in the suburb of Santa Fe.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SFCC are $4,995 per year.

Full Education at Santa Fe Community College Report

With a ranking of #6, Brigham Young University - Idaho did quite well on this year’s best value schools for education students working on their associate degree. Located in the town of Rexburg, BYU - I is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BYU - I are $4,416 per year.

Full Education at Brigham Young University - Idaho Report

With a ranking of #7, Itawamba Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for education students working on their associate degree. ICC is a small public school located in the remote town of Fulton.

ICC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,360 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Education at Itawamba Community College Report

With a ranking of #8, Alexandria Technical & Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for education students working on their associate degree. Located in the remote town of Alexandria, ATCC is a public school with a small student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ATCC are $5,910 per year.

ATCC also claimed a spot on our Best Education Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

Read More…

#9

El Centro College

Dallas, TX

El Centro College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for education students to get a associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the large city of Dallas.

El Centro College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,000 in tuition and fees each year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, El Centro College also did well on our Best Education Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Education at El Centro College Report

Northcentral Technical College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the small city of Wausau, North Central Technical College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Central Technical College are $5,415 per year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, North Central Technical College also is in the top 20% of our Best Education Associate Degree Schools ranking.

Full Education at Northcentral Technical College Report

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for education students to get a associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the city of Green Bay, NWTC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

NWTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,849 in tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, NWTC also is in the top 15% of our Best Education Associate Degree Schools ranking.

Full Education at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Report

Madison Area Technical College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools ranking. Madison College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Madison.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Madison College are $6,769 a year.

In addition to its great value ranking, Madison College is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Education Associate Degree Schools list.

Read full report on Education at Madison Area Technical College

#13

Georgia Military College

Milledgeville, GA

With a ranking of #13, Georgia Military College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for education students working on their associate degree. Georgia Military College is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of Milledgeville.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Georgia Military College are $6,390 a year.

Read full report on Education at Georgia Military College

Fox Valley Technical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Appleton, FVTC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at FVTC are $6,861 a year.

FVTC also claimed a spot on our Best Education Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.

Read More…

Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Milwaukee, MATC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at MATC are $6,908 a year.

Read More…

#16

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the city of The Woodlands, North Harris Montgomery is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at North Harris Montgomery are $6,168 a year.

North Harris Montgomery also claimed a spot on our Best Education Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Education at Lone Star College System

#17

South Texas College

McAllen, TX

With a ranking of #17, South Texas College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for education students working on their associate degree. South Texas College is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of McAllen.

South Texas College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,920 in tuition and fees each year.

In addition to its great value ranking, South Texas College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Education Associate Degree Schools list.

Read full report on Education at South Texas College

With a ranking of #18, Chippewa Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for education students working on their associate degree. CVTC is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Eau Claire.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CVTC are $6,683 per year.

In addition to its great value ranking, CVTC is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Education Associate Degree Schools list.

Read full report on Education at Chippewa Valley Technical College

#19

Three Rivers College

Poplar Bluff, MO

Three Rivers College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the remote town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers College is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Three Rivers College are $6,510 a year.

Read More…

Waukesha County Technical College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree education programs. WCTC is a medium-sized public school located in the large suburb of Pewaukee.

WCTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,603 in tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, WCTC also is in the top 15% of our Best Education Associate Degree Schools ranking.

Full Education at Waukesha County Technical College Report

#21

Amarillo College

Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree education programs. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Amarillo College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,704 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#22

Stanly Community College

Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Technical College is a public school with a small student population.

Stanly Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,245 in tuition and fees each year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Stanly Technical College also did well on our Best Education Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 1% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Education at Stanly Community College Report

Bronx Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree education programs. BCC is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BCC are $8,086 a year.

Read More…

#24

Essex County College

Newark, NJ

With a ranking of #24, Essex County College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for education students working on their associate degree. Located in the large city of Newark, Essex is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Essex are $8,966 per year.

Read full report on Education at Essex County College

#25

Central Georgia Technical College

Warner Robins, GA

With a ranking of #25, Central Georgia Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for education students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of Warner Robins, CGTC is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

CGTC undergraduate students pay an average of $5,442 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Education at Central Georgia Technical College Report

Rest of the Top Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools

#27

Holmes Community College

Goodman, MS
#28

Mid-State Technical College

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
29 Atlanta Technical College Atlanta, GA
30 Georgia Piedmont Technical College Clarkston, GA
31 Albany Technical College Albany, GA
32 Vance-Granville Community College Henderson, NC
33 Middlesex Community College Bedford, MA
34 Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GA
35 Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus Sewell, NJ
36 El Paso Community College El Paso, TX
37 Hostos Community College Bronx, NY

Education by Region

View the Best Value Education Associate Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Education Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 110,226
Educational Administration 46,469
Teacher Education Subject Specific 43,297
Special Education 36,792
General Education 29,810
Curriculum & Instruction 19,832
Student Counseling 13,858
Instructional Media Design 8,695
Teaching English or French 5,791
Other Education 4,858
Teaching Assistants 2,751
Educational Assessment 2,552
Multilingual Education 1,910
Education Philosophy 737
International Education 293

Majors Similar to Education

Related Major Annual Graduates
Social Sciences 205,984
Psychology 195,678
Communication & Journalism 120,571
Family, Consumer & Human Sciences 55,820
History 32,731

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Horadrim.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.