by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 2376 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in education, no school beat Frederick Community College this year. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Education graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $43,733. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $19,956 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $49,545. That is a strong return on a $19,956 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Middlesex Community College Bedford one of the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,602. Education graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $27,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Education graduates carry a median of $9,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $29,708. That is a strong return on a $9,625 median debt.
Northwest Vista College landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Northwest Vista College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. 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.
College Of The Mainland placed #7 among the best values for education. 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, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palo Alto College came in at #8 for value in education this year. Palo Alto College is a large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. 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.
Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $5,500. Education graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $49,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College earned the #11 position 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. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College placed #12 among the best values for education. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,384. Education graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Tarrant County College District came in at #13 for value in education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Education graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $24,507. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Northern Essex Community College landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $10,129 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $28,635. That is a strong return on a $10,129 median debt.
El Centro College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Education graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $25,385. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Education graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $31,364 early in their careers. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
South Texas College came in at #18 for value in education this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Education graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $16,902 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College placed #19 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $48,612. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Brazosport College earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Education graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Education graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College placed #22 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,411. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $37,470. Set against $16,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College placed #23 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,750. Early-career education graduates make about $21,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Georgia Technical College landed the #25 spot for education value this year. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Education rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 2376 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 153 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.