[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 911 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2027 list of the best value education schools in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Education graduates carry a median of $12,901 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $75,098. Set against $12,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for education. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,821. Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $77,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #3 place for education. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for education. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,916 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $74,520 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 #5 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for education. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $82,672. That is a strong return on a $12,331 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #6 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Education graduates carry a median of $12,566 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $71,155. That is a strong return on a $12,566 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Queens College earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $74,430. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College placed #9 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $78,438. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fullerton ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $14,945 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $69,892. That is a strong return on a $14,945 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M International University earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $17,940 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $60,018. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #13 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $13,805 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $30,362. That is a strong return on a $13,805 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida placed #14 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,608 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $55,277. That is a strong return on a $15,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. 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. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $74,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Northridge earned the #16 position for value in education this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #17 for value in education this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Education graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $60,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #18 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,000. Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $35,741 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Utah Valley University came in at #19 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $17,890 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $49,395. That is a strong return on a $17,890 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $19,157 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $49,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #21 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $49,705. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #23 for value in education this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Education graduates carry a median of $27,992 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $41,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #24 spot for education value this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for education graduates is $31,216. Early-career education graduates make about $44,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses landed the #25 spot for education value this year. Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Students from in state pay about $13,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $40,095. Education graduates of Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
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 · 911 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 911 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
