2026 Best Value Outdoor Education Schools
Looking for the best-value Outdoor Education programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 55 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Outdoor Education Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Minnesota State University Mankato tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Outdoor Education programs schools in the United States. Based in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Minnesota State University Mankato Outdoor Education students take on a median of $25,260 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,922 ten years after entry. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato has an acceptance rate of 88%. Read more about Minnesota State University Mankato
You'll get strong value at Central Michigan University, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Mount Pleasant, MI, Central Michigan University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete their Outdoor Education program here. Median earnings reach $55,874 ten years out. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University has an acceptance rate of 90%. Read the full report on Central Michigan University
A rank of #3 makes Weber State University one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Ogden, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. The median Outdoor Education program debt is $19,176. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,287. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt. More on Weber State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Black Hills State University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Spearfish, SD, Black Hills State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,916, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Graduates carry a median of $26,820 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,674 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Black Hills State University
A rank of #5 makes Plymouth State University one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Plymouth, NH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Typical Outdoor Education student debt is $26,972. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. See the full Plymouth State University profile
Suny College At Cortland offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Cortland, NY, Suny College At Cortland is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Typical Outdoor Education student debt is $25,369. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Suny College At Cortland
Liberty University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. Set in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Liberty University Outdoor Education students take on a median of $27,414 in debt. Median earnings reach $44,813 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 99% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Liberty University profile
Murray State University placed #9 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Based in Murray, KY, Murray State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete their Outdoor Education program here. Murray State University alumni report median earnings of $44,737 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Murray State University report
The University Of Montana came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete their Outdoor Education program here. Median earnings reach $44,511 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. The University Of Montana has an acceptance rate of 96%. Read the full report on The University Of Montana
Fort Lewis College landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Fort Lewis College is a public school based in Durango, CO. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Typical Outdoor Education student debt is $18,888. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,349. Set against $18,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Fort Lewis College
Brevard College landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Brevard, NC, Brevard College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,280. Brevard College Outdoor Education students take on a median of $26,667 in debt. Brevard College alumni report median earnings of $43,545 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Brevard College report
Gratz College
Gratz College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Get the full Gratz College report
Red Rocks Community College landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Red Rocks Community College profile
Central Oregon Community College placed #14 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read more about Central Oregon Community College
John Brown University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Get the full John Brown University report
Snow College
Snow College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Snow College
Unity College
Unity College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. Get the full Unity College report
Rogue Community College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. See the full Rogue Community College profile
Westminster College Utah ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. Read more about Westminster College Utah
Montreat College
Montreat College landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Montreat College
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. Read the full report on Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
Temple University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. See the full Temple University profile
Warren Wilson College placed #23 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Get the full Warren Wilson College report
Mt Hood Community College landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Mt Hood Community College
Salisbury University landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Salisbury University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Outdoor Education Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Hampshire College placed #26 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on Hampshire College
Toccoa Falls College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. Read more about Toccoa Falls College
College Of Southern Idaho landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. More on College Of Southern Idaho
University Of Alaska Anchorage came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Alaska Anchorage report
Western Wyoming Community College landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Western Wyoming Community College report
Elon University
Elon University offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Get the full Elon University report
Adirondack Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. More on Adirondack Community College
Colorado Christian University came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Colorado Christian University
Southwestern Community College Sylva came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. See the full Southwestern Community College Sylva profile
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read the full report on Suny College Of Technology At Delhi
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Virginia Commonwealth University report
North Idaho College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. Read the full report on North Idaho College
Winona State University offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read the full report on Winona State University
Prescott College
Prescott College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. See the full Prescott College profile
East Tennessee State University placed #40 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. See the full East Tennessee State University profile
Greenfield Community College placed #41 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on Greenfield Community College
Vermont Technical College came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Vermont Technical College
Alaska Pacific University landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Alaska Pacific University
New England College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. See the full New England College profile
Lees Mcrae College placed #45 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. More on Lees Mcrae College
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. See the full Missouri State University Springfield profile
Western Carolina University offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full Western Carolina University report
Young Harris College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. Read more about Young Harris College
Gordon College
Gordon College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. Get the full Gordon College report
Northern Arizona University offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Get the full Northern Arizona University report
Best Value Outdoor Education Schools by Degree Level
Compare value rankings by degree level:
- Best Value Outdoor Education Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Outdoor Education Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Outdoor Education Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Outdoor Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Outdoor Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Outdoor Education Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Outdoor Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 55 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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