2023 Best Value Colleges for Education
1,080
Ranked Colleges
327,871
Degrees Awarded
$14,500
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Education Schools” ranking is part of that endeavor.
With 327,871 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, education is the 4th most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $46,202 and had an average of $24,437 in loans still to pay off.
This year’s “Best Value Education Schools” ranking analyzed 1,080 colleges that offered a degree in education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The education school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Education Schools”.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Education Schools
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools. This large school is located in Provo, Utah, and it awarded 491 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, BYU also did well on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend BYU is $13,474 for Education students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full BYU Education Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Urban College of Boston. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 101 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Urban College of Boston is also in the top of our “Best Education Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools” list. It costs about $12,714 for education students per year to attend Urban College of Boston.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Education at Urban College of Boston
Out of the 1,080 schools in the Best Value Education Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Governors University landed the #3 spot on the list. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 12,503 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, WGU is in the top on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for WGU is $9,969 for education students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Education at WGU
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Rexburg, Idaho is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 380 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend BYU - I is $6,698 for Education students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Brigham Young University - Idaho Education Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Concordia University, Nebraska. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools. Seward, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 1,009 students in 2020-2021.
Concordia University, Nebraska excels when it comes to education quality. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Nebraska is $22,035 for education students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Education at Concordia University, Nebraska
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools list. Central New Mexico Community College is a fairly large school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 334 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,322 for Education students per year to attend Central New Mexico Community College.
Full CNM Education Report
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #7. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Erie, Pennsylvania. It awarded 34 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, LECOM also did well on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 1 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Education at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of the Cumberlands landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. University of the Cumberlands is a fairly large school located in Williamsburg, Kentucky that handed out 1,458 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,476 for education students per year to attend University of the Cumberlands.
Full University of the Cumberlands Education Report
Concordia University, Chicago landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 987 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
Concordia University, Chicago excels when it comes to education quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $17,051 for education students per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at Concordia University, Chicago
Walden University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools ranking. Walden University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,924 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
On top of its placing in this ranking, Walden University also did well on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools” list.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at Walden University
Itawamba Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. Itawamba Community College is a small public school situated in Fulton, Mississippi. It awarded 80 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,086 for education students per year to attend Itawamba Community College.
Full Itawamba Community College Education Report
North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 208 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, North Dakota State University is in the top on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,998 for Education students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Education at North Dakota State University
With a ranking of #13, Delaware Technical Community College - Terry did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Dover, Delaware is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 148 students in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, Delaware Tech also did well on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $8,479 for education students per year to attend Delaware Technical Community College - Terry.
Read more about Education at Delaware Technical Community College - Terry
Minot State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools ranking. Minot State University is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 132 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Minot State University is $12,205 for Education students.
Full Minot State University Education Report
With a ranking of #15, Grand Canyon University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Grand Canyon University is a large school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 9,205 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Grand Canyon University excels when it comes to education quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Grand Canyon University is $20,585 for education students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at Grand Canyon University
University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. University of Phoenix - Arizona is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,725 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
On top of its placing in this ranking, UOPX - Arizona also did well on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for UOPX - Arizona is $13,038 for education students.
Read more about Education at University of Phoenix - Arizona
With a ranking of #17, Martin Luther College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Located in New Ulm, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 160 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, MLC is in the top on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Martin Luther College is $22,205 for Education students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Martin Luther College Education Report
Seattle University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Seattle, Washington, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 141 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, Seattle U is in the top on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools” list. It costs about $35,109 for Education students per year to attend Seattle U.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Seattle University Education Report
With a ranking of #19, Sinclair Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Located in Dayton, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 87 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $4,959 for education students.
Read full report on Education at Sinclair Community College
Capella University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 1,463 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, Capella University is in the top on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $16,545 for education students per year to attend Capella University.
Read more about Education at Capella University
Valley City State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. This small school is located in Valley City, North Dakota, and it awarded 282 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,676 for education students per year to attend Valley City State University.
Read full report on Education at Valley City State University
Wilmington University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #22. Wilmington University is a fairly large school located in New Castle, Delaware that handed out 709 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Wilmington University is $15,186 for education students.
Read more about Education at Wilmington University
University of Northern Iowa came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 674 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UNI is also in the top of our “Best Education Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $16,438 for education students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Northern Iowa Education Report
With a ranking of #24, Concordia University, Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Concordia University, Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 528 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Concordia University, Irvine also claimed a top spot on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $27,201 for Education students per year to attend Concordia University, Irvine.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Concordia University, Irvine Education Report
Georgia Military College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. Georgia Military College is a public institution located in Milledgeville, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 138 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Georgia Military College is $11,029 for Education students.
Read more about Education at Georgia Military College
