Cheapest Educational Assessment Colleges

Western Governors University delivers the nation's most affordable Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research program at just $10,442 net cost annually, creating an unusual pricing market where private institutions undercut public options. The field connects directly to federal education policy implementation, as the Department of Education employs thousands of assessment specialists to evaluate Title I programs and state accountability measures. While earnings typically range from $24,576 to $31,133, the cost spread across these 11 programs reaches nearly $17,000, with Northwestern's $27,143 net price reflecting its elite 7.21% acceptance rate and 95.90% graduation rate.

Programs

$10,442 – $27,143

Net Price Range

$27,855

Avg. Program Earnings

64.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Western Governors University Salt Lake City, Utah	$10,442	$8,300	50.9%
2	Western Illinois University Macomb, Illinois	$11,592	$14,952	44.8%	75.0%
3	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
4	Brigham Young University Provo, Utah	$14,487	$6,496	82.2%	66.7%
5	University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona	$15,960	$13,626	65.9%	86.8%
6	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$20,015	$11,954	71.0%	75.7%
7	The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Alabama	$22,150	$11,900	73.7%	80.1%
8	Point Park University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$24,791	$38,160	59.6%	82.1%
9	Ashford University San Diego, California	$25,321	$13,160	8.8%
10	Westminster University Salt Lake City, Utah	$26,536	$41,416	69.4%	69.8%
11	Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois	$27,143	$65,997	95.9%	7.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Western Governors University's program so affordable compared to other options?

WGU operates on a competency-based model where students pay flat tuition regardless of credit load, resulting in a $10,442 net cost that beats even public in-state rates. The university's online format eliminates campus overhead costs that drive up expenses at traditional institutions.

How do graduation rates vary among the most affordable programs?

Graduation rates span dramatically from Ashford University's concerning 8.80% to Northwestern's strong 95.90%. Mid-range affordable options like Purdue (83.10%) and BYU (82.20%) offer strong completion rates without the premium pricing.

Is there a significant difference between public and private program costs?

Private institutions actually dominate the most affordable options, with WGU and BYU offering lower net costs than most public universities. However, public schools like Western Illinois provide in-state tuition advantages, with residents paying just $14,952 annually.

What earning potential can graduates expect from these affordable programs?

Early career earnings range from $24,576 at Ashford to $31,133 at Arizona, reflecting the field's focus on public sector employment. The modest salary range makes affordability important, as graduates typically work in schools, state agencies, or nonprofit organizations with limited salary growth.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.