[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 2376 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
Where you study education affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Education Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among education schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Education graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $65,726. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Frederick Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,778. Early-career education graduates make about $43,733. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,821. Early-career education graduates make about $66,476. Set against $11,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. 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. Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $63,484 early in their careers. Set against $12,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Education graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $66,039 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,916 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $73,442. That is a strong return on a $9,916 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Moorpark College came in at #7 for value in education this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,213. Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $86,381 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Middlesex Community College Bedford ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete the education program here. 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.
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online earned the #11 position for value in education this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Education graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,822 early in their careers. Set against $17,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Vista College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Northwest Vista College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $22,352. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $48,657. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #14 for value in education this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Education graduates carry a median of $12,331 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $47,528. That is a strong return on a $12,331 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Mainland earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,928. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College came in at #16 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,492. 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 International University landed the #17 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,940. Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $59,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,940 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Palo Alto College placed #18 among the best values for education. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Education graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $29,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #19 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
St Petersburg College earned the #20 position for value in education this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $19,956 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $49,545 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #21 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,625 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $29,708. Set against $9,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #22 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $33,869 early in their careers. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #24 position for value in education this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 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 · 2376 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 798 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
