2027 Best Value Education Schools in Pennsylvania
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 80 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Education Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
For return on investment in education, no school beat Delaware County Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Education graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. Education graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $25,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Bucks County Community College one of the best values for education. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Education graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Education graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $19,993 early in their careers. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Community College Of Philadelphia, which ranked #3. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Education graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $28,805. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Butler County Community College one of the best values for education. Located in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,000. Students borrow a median of $10,836 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $41,492. That is a strong return on a $10,836 median debt.
Lehigh Carbon Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Westmoreland County Community College landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holy Family University placed #7 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,330. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $64,261. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
Montgomery County Community College placed #8 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $20,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Education graduates carry a median of $13,796 in student loans. Education graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $26,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,796 median debt.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #11 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,838. Education graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $30,289 early in their careers. Set against $16,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Education graduates carry a median of $27,942 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $50,983. Set against $27,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Education graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $48,198 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
La Salle University earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $48,423. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania placed #15 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,512, with out-of-state students paying around $19,384. Education graduates carry a median of $30,959 in student loans. Education graduates of Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $55,705 early in their careers. Set against $30,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $50,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington came in at #17 for value in education this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,263 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earn a median of $45,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,263 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
Waynesburg University placed #18 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,480. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Education graduates of Waynesburg University earn a median of $42,769 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $47,928. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford placed #20 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Bradford, University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,770, with out-of-state students paying around $26,644. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,274. Early-career education graduates make about $29,904. That is a strong return on a $26,274 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford admits about 88% of applicants.
Cedar Crest College earned the #21 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,314. Students borrow a median of $30,759 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $59,798. Set against $30,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cedar Crest College admits about 84% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,000. Early-career education graduates make about $56,708. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $36,248. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #24 for value in education this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $52,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg came in at #25 for value in education this year. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,710, with out-of-state students paying around $26,584. Students borrow a median of $26,274 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg generally make around $33,664. Set against $26,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s education value ranking:
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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 80 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.
