[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1653 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
The right education school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Education Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in education in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $12,901 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $61,572. Set against $12,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for education. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Education graduates carry a median of $11,821 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $68,002 early in their careers. Set against $11,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,691. Education graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $65,726 early in their careers. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for education. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,916. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $72,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for education. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,653. Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $66,193 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Tarrant County College District came in at #6 for value in education this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $24,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino placed #7 among the best values for education. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,566. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $74,565. Set against $12,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Moorpark College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Education graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $48,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $87,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online came in at #12 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Education graduates carry a median of $17,784 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,331. Early-career education graduates make about $49,672. That is a strong return on a $12,331 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
College Of The Mainland came in at #14 for value in education this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Education graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Northwest Vista College landed the #15 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,750. Early-career education graduates make about $22,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Education graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Education graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $27,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex County College earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $16,846. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield placed #19 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Miami Dade College placed #20 among the best values for education. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,671. Education graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $52,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,671 median debt.
Houston Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,250. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $25,385. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
St Philips College placed #23 among the best values for education. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Education graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
Palo Alto College placed #24 among the best values for education. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,430. Early-career education graduates make about $29,062. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University placed #25 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $17,940 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $56,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s education value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1653 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,653 ranked 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 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).
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
