2027 Best Value Education Schools in Indiana
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Education Schools in Indiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
Purdue University Northwest tops our 2027 list of the best value education schools in Indiana. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $45,078 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,885 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $40,553. Set against $25,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Ivy Tech Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Education graduates carry a median of $13,932 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $26,302. That is a strong return on a $13,932 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Northwest earned it the #4 place for education. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $48,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Southeast earned it the #5 place for education. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,145. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $48,032. That is a strong return on a $24,145 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East came in at #6 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,866 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $38,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #7 for value in education this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $25,641 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $47,926. That is a strong return on a $25,641 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Indiana State University came in at #8 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,761 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $51,386 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,761 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for education. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Education graduates carry a median of $20,533 in student loans. Education graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $45,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Purdue University Global landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for education graduates is $50,968. Early-career education graduates make about $37,230. That is a strong return on a $50,968 median debt.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #11 for value in education this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,681 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $41,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Vincennes University came in at #12 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,862. Education graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $39,867 early in their careers. Set against $17,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Goshen College came in at #13 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Goshen, Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $71,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, 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 $43,099 early in their careers. Set against $26,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Ball State University came in at #15 for value in education this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Education graduates carry a median of $24,675 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $53,038. Set against $24,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #16 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $51,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #17 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Education graduates carry a median of $29,502 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $44,078. That is a strong return on a $29,502 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #18 for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,823 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $43,326. Set against $24,823 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earned the #19 position for value in education this year. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $36,460. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,520. Education graduates of University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earn a median of $57,192 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,520 median debt. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Evansville ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,234. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Evansville generally make around $59,618. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland City University landed the #21 spot for education value this year. Located in the rural area of Oakland City, Oakland City University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,900. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $83,101. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. In-state tuition and fees average $48,450. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $46,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel College Mishawaka placed #23 among the best values for education. Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mishawaka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Bethel College Mishawaka earn a median of $46,893 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #24 among the best values for education. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $41,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. Grace College And Theological Seminary admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis came in at #25 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Indianapolis generally make around $46,673. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
