2026 Best Value Outdoor Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Outdoor Education bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 55 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Central Michigan University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Outdoor Education bachelor's degree schools in the United States. This public school is set in Mount Pleasant, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Central Michigan University Outdoor Education students take on a median of $27,857 in debt. Central Michigan University alumni report median earnings of $55,874 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Central Michigan University
A rank of #2 makes Weber State University one of the best values in the United States. Weber State University is a public school based in Ogden, UT. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Weber State University Outdoor Education students take on a median of $19,176 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,287 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Weber State University
A rank of #3 makes Black Hills State University one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Spearfish, SD. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete their Outdoor Education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,674 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,820 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Black Hills State University
You'll get strong value at Suny College At Cortland, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Cortland, NY, Suny College At Cortland is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Graduates carry a median of $25,369 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,236 ten years after entry. Set against $25,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants. Read the full report on Suny College At Cortland
You'll get strong value at Liberty University, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Median earnings reach $44,813 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Liberty University has an acceptance rate of 99%. Get the full Liberty University report
Murray State University came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. 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. Typical Outdoor Education student debt is $23,420. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Murray State University
Fort Lewis College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Based in Durango, CO, Fort Lewis College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,888 to complete their Outdoor Education program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,349. That is a strong return on a $18,888 median debt. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. More on Fort Lewis College
Brevard College landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Brevard, NC, Brevard College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,280. Students borrow a median of $26,667 to complete their Outdoor Education program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 42%. More on Brevard College
Western Carolina University landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Western Carolina University
Salisbury University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. Read more about Salisbury University
Rogue Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. Get the full Rogue Community College report
Northland College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. More on Northland College
The University Of Montana offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Get the full The University Of Montana report
Southwestern Community College Sylva offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Get the full Southwestern Community College Sylva report
Westminster College Utah landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Westminster College Utah
North Idaho College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. See the full North Idaho College profile
Central Oregon Community College placed #17 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. More on Central Oregon Community College
Snow College
Snow College offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Read more about Snow College
Gordon College
Gordon College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Get the full Gordon College report
Northwest Nazarene University placed #20 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. More on Northwest Nazarene University
Toccoa Falls College placed #21 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read more about Toccoa Falls College
Sterling College Vermont placed #22 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Get the full Sterling College Vermont report
John Brown University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. More on John Brown University
East Tennessee State University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Read more about East Tennessee State University
Lees Mcrae College placed #25 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Get the full Lees Mcrae College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Outdoor Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Red Rocks Community College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. Read more about Red Rocks Community College
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Suny College Of Technology At Delhi report
Greenfield Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read the full report on Greenfield Community College
Western Wyoming Community College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. More on Western Wyoming Community College
Elon University
Elon University offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Get the full Elon University report
University Of Alaska Anchorage offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Get the full University Of Alaska Anchorage report
Vermont Technical College placed #32 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read more about Vermont Technical College
Minnesota State University Mankato offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read more about Minnesota State University Mankato
Warren Wilson College placed #34 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read more about Warren Wilson College
Colorado Christian University came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Colorado Christian University report
Northern Arizona University landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Northern Arizona University
Pacific University placed #37 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on Pacific University
Mt Hood Community College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. Get the full Mt Hood Community College report
Alaska Pacific University landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Alaska Pacific University
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Outdoor Education schools. More on Virginia Commonwealth University
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Missouri State University Springfield report
Temple University offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Temple University
Plymouth State University placed #43 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. See the full Plymouth State University profile
Gratz College
Gratz College landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Gratz College report
Hampshire College placed #45 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. More on Hampshire College
Winona State University landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Winona State University
Prescott College
Prescott College placed #47 among the best-value Outdoor Education schools in the United States. More on Prescott College
Unity College
Unity College came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Unity College
Adirondack Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. See the full Adirondack Community College profile
College Of Southern Idaho offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Get the full College Of Southern Idaho report
Related Outdoor Education Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Outdoor Education Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Outdoor Education Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Outdoor Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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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