by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among education schools in Indiana. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $13,932 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $26,302. That is a strong return on a $13,932 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Indiana University Kokomo, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,885. Early-career education graduates make about $40,553. That is a strong return on a $25,885 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Northwest earned it the #3 place for education. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,497 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Education graduates carry a median of $24,145 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $48,032. That is a strong return on a $24,145 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,641. Early-career education graduates make about $47,951. That is a strong return on a $25,641 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Vincennes University placed #6 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,862. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $39,867. That is a strong return on a $17,862 median debt.
Purdue University Northwest placed #7 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $45,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,438 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $43,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,438 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East placed #9 among the best values for education. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $25,866 in student loans. Education graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $38,610 early in their careers. Set against $25,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #10 for value in education this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,681. Early-career education graduates make about $41,954. That is a strong return on a $25,681 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University came in at #11 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,761. Early-career education graduates make about $48,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,502. Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $44,040 early in their careers. Set against $29,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in education this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,533 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $45,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #14 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Education graduates carry a median of $20,658 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $51,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Goshen College earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Goshen, Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Goshen College generally make around $71,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Global earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Education graduates carry a median of $50,968 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $37,355. That is a strong return on a $50,968 median debt.
Ball State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Education graduates carry a median of $24,675 in student loans. Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $52,653 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Oakland City University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the rural area of Oakland City, Oakland City University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,900 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $25,266 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $83,101. That is a strong return on a $25,266 median debt. Oakland City University admits about 82% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #19 for value in education this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Students borrow a median of $24,823 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $46,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Indianapolis landed the #20 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,200. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Education graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $47,802 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Indianapolis admits about 66% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #21 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Education graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $41,955. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Evansville placed #22 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $59,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,460. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,520. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne generally make around $57,192. That is a strong return on a $27,520 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University earned the #24 position for value in education this year. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,450. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $46,445. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
Hanover College earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. In-state tuition and fees average $42,698. Education graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $35,659. Set against $26,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hanover College admits about 84% of applicants.
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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.