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 979 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in education in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,821. Early-career education graduates make about $68,697. Set against $11,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,901. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $51,596. Set against $12,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Education graduates carry a median of $9,916 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $71,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for education. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,653. Early-career education graduates make about $57,579. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Indian River State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Education graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $48,612 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
University Of Florida Online landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,784 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,438. That is a strong return on a $17,784 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,160. Education graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Miami Dade College came in at #8 for value in education this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $9,671 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $53,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,331 in student loans. Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $50,067 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,331 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Education graduates carry a median of $15,608 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $49,710 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,608 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University came in at #12 for value in education this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. 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. Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $53,916 early in their careers. Set against $17,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
California State University Northridge ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $74,082. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
El Centro College earned the #14 position for value in education this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,500. Early-career education graduates make about $25,385. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #15 spot for education value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,694. Education graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $63,950 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
St Petersburg College earned the #16 position for value in education this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $49,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #17 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,854. Early-career education graduates make about $50,207. Set against $11,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Northwest Florida State College placed #18 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $44,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,492. Education graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $49,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno landed the #20 spot for education value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $34,685. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Edison State College came in at #21 for value in education this year. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Education graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Education graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $51,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,182 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $35,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Education graduates carry a median of $19,157 in student loans. Education graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $32,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,157 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Odessa College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,087. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
Chipola College placed #25 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,097. Early-career education graduates make about $43,599. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s education value ranking:
These institutions also earned high marks for education value:
A few more high-value education schools worth a look:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Education rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 979 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 979 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.