2026 Best Value Education Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Leading the list is Delaware County Community College, our #1 best value for education in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Education graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $25,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Bucks County Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $19,993. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Lehigh Carbon Community College one of the best values for education. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. 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. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Holy Family University one of the best values for education. Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,330. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $64,748. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Butler County Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,910, while out-of-state students pay about $12,000. Education graduates carry a median of $10,836 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $41,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westmoreland County Community College earned the #6 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Community College Of Beaver County came in at #7 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500, with out-of-state students paying around $20,700. Students borrow a median of $14,324 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $49,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery County Community College came in at #8 for value in education this year. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $20,885. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $28,805. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,796. Early-career education graduates make about $26,956. Set against $13,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College came in at #12 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,110, while out-of-state students pay about $13,350. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,732. Education graduates of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earn a median of $40,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,732 median debt.
Reading Area Community College earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Students borrow a median of $13,979 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #14 for value in education this year. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Students borrow a median of $16,838 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $30,289. That is a strong return on a $16,838 median debt.
Swarthmore College placed #15 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $19,500. Education graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,082 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earned the #17 position 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #19 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $27,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $49,423. That is a strong return on a $27,942 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot for education value this year. Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in the rural area of Cheyney. In-state tuition and fees average $10,904, while out-of-state students pay about $18,870. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,128.
York College Pennsylvania earned the #21 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $48,002. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Francis University earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Loretto. In-state tuition and fees average $26,388. Typical student debt for education graduates is $30,729. Education graduates of Saint Francis University earn a median of $63,097 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,729 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania placed #23 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,512, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,959 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $55,747 early in their careers. Set against $30,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Education graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,875 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s education value ranking:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 117 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
