by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in education, no school beat Community College Of Rhode Island this year. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Students borrow a median of $9,187 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $39,680. That is a strong return on a $9,187 median debt.
Rhode Island College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Education graduates carry a median of $29,522 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $51,457. Set against $29,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at University Of Rhode Island, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,343. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brown University earned it the #4 place for education. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $56,851. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Johnson And Wales University Providence, which ranked #5. Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,982. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,350. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Johnson And Wales University Providence generally make around $99,740. That is a strong return on a $26,350 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Salve Regina University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,100. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $48,311. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Roger Williams University earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Bristol, Roger Williams University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,197. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $48,664. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Providence College placed #8 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,550. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Education graduates of Providence College earn a median of $57,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island School Of Design came in at #9 for value in education this year. Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,943. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Rhode Island School Of Design generally make around $29,894. Set against $26,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.