[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2376 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among education schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $65,726. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for education. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,821 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $75,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,821 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $12,901 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $76,173 early in their careers. Set against $12,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $75,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for education. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,653. Early-career education graduates make about $74,361. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #6 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Education graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $48,657 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #7 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Education graduates carry a median of $12,331 in student loans. Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $81,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College placed #8 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $77,971 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,945. Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $70,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #10 among the best values for education. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $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 placed #12 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $17,940 in student loans. Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $60,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,940 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus placed #13 among the best values for education. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. 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. Education graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $30,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,805 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,566. Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $67,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno landed the #15 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. Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $37,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Florida earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $15,608 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $55,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $74,905. That is a strong return on a $11,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Northridge placed #18 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,202. Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $74,118 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,671. Early-career education graduates make about $80,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #20 spot for education value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $61,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #21 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. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $19,157. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $49,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Education graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $55,098. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Alaska Southeast landed the #23 spot for education value this year. Located in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $20,527 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $68,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Utah Valley University came in at #24 for value in education this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Education graduates carry a median of $17,890 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $49,388. That is a strong return on a $17,890 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,333 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $55,932. Set against $26,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 2376 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 520 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.
