[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 251 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
For return on investment in education, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $61,572. That is a strong return on a $12,901 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,821 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $68,002 early in their careers. Set against $11,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $66,193 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for education. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $65,726. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. 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. Early-career education graduates make about $72,988. Set against $9,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,213. Early-career education graduates make about $87,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Middlesex County College earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Typical student debt for education graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $16,846. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $49,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. 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, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $60,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Camden County College landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Education graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $21,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College placed #11 among the best values for education. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,400. Education graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #12 spot for education value 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.
Essex County College placed #13 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $23,768 early in their careers. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny York College landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $49,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Education graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $23,672. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #17 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,254, while out-of-state students pay about $8,134. Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $24,283. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #18 among the best values for education. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $21,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,380 median debt.
Hagerstown Community College placed #19 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, compared with $8,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,126 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Hagerstown Community College earn a median of $46,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College placed #20 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,246. Early-career education graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Delaware County Community College placed #21 among the best values for education. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $25,854. That is a strong return on a $13,340 median debt.
Montgomery College placed #22 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Education graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Education graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College came in at #23 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,125. Early-career education graduates make about $19,993. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College placed #24 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,224. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $31,364. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
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 · 251 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 251 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
