by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 154 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Middlesex Community College Bedford the best value for a degree in education in the New England Region. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $27,981. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Essex Community College earned it the #2 place for education. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Education graduates carry a median of $10,129 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $28,635. That is a strong return on a $10,129 median debt.
Bunker Hill Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $51,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Bristol Community College one of the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Education graduates carry a median of $7,788 in student loans. Education graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $21,738 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Springfield Technical Community College earned it the #5 place for education. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,881 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $28,769. Set against $5,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,187 in student loans. Education graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,187 median debt.
Capital Community College placed #7 among the best values for education. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Education graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $29,811. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kennebec Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $9,920 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $25,484. That is a strong return on a $9,920 median debt.
North Shore Community College landed the #9 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. Students borrow a median of $14,145 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $51,255. That is a strong return on a $14,145 median debt.
Harvard University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $86,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Massachusetts Bay Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Students borrow a median of $11,008 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Massachusetts Bay Community College generally make around $44,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Worcester State University placed #12 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $22,971. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $42,313. Set against $22,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Holyoke Community College came in at #13 for value in education this year. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,763. Early-career education graduates make about $43,423. That is a strong return on a $9,763 median debt.
Quinsigamond Community College landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Students borrow a median of $18,235 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $31,901 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,235 median debt.
Massasoit Community College came in at #15 for value in education this year. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,894. Education graduates of Massasoit Community College earn a median of $42,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fitchburg State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $65,436. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Central Maine Community College landed the #17 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,700. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Central Maine Community College generally make around $43,934. Set against $14,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rhode Island College earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Students borrow a median of $29,522 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $51,435. Set against $29,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Southern Maine Community College came in at #19 for value in education this year. Located in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Education graduates carry a median of $12,987 in student loans. Education graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $25,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Vermont came in at #20 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Montpelier, Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,920, compared with $13,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,357. Early-career education graduates make about $31,610. That is a strong return on a $10,357 median debt.
Berkshire Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Pittsfield, Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,712 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,328. Students borrow a median of $16,167 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Berkshire Community College earn a median of $45,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,167 median debt.
Charter Oak State College earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,506. Education graduates carry a median of $23,584 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $62,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Maine Community College earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,741. Early-career education graduates make about $52,263. That is a strong return on a $17,741 median debt.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $40,004. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Cape Cod Community College placed #25 among the best values for education. Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of West Barnstable. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,000, compared with $10,944 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $14,669 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $47,939. That is a strong return on a $14,669 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s education value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 154 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.