by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 415 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Indian River State College, our #1 best value for education in the Southeast Region. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $48,612. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,784 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
St Petersburg College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $19,956 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $49,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes South Georgia Technical College one of the best values for education. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Miami Dade College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Education graduates carry a median of $9,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $52,914. Set against $9,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $25,522 in student loans. Education graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $33,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College placed #7 among the best values for education. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Education graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Education graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Education graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $23,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Florida State College came in at #9 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,583, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,000. Early-career education graduates make about $44,340. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James Sprunt Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Education graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $26,775. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Wilkes Community College landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,125. Education graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Education graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chipola College placed #14 among the best values for education. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,097. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $43,599. Set against $9,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg came in at #15 for value in education this year. West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Parkersburg. Students from in state pay about $5,476 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,424. Students borrow a median of $11,182 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $35,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,182 median debt.
University Of Florida earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,608 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $52,034. Set against $15,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #17 spot for education value this year. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Lenoir Community College came in at #18 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Education graduates carry a median of $9,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $27,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,165, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. Students borrow a median of $8,204 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $45,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Copiah Lincoln Community College earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #21 position for value in education this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Students borrow a median of $16,142 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $44,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $45,008. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Education graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $39,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Roane State Community College earned the #24 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Students borrow a median of $9,408 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $36,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edison State College earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $51,448. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
These institutions also earned high marks for education value:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Rich Mountain Community College | Mena, AR | Full Report |
| #52 | Vance Granville Community College | Henderson, NC | Full Report |
| #53 | Columbus Technical College | Columbus, GA | Full Report |
| #54 | Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga, TN | Full Report |
| #55 | Dabney S Lancaster Community College | Clifton Forge, VA | Full Report |
| #56 | Alamance Community College | Graham, NC | Full Report |
| #57 | Surry Community College | Dobson, NC | Full Report |
| #58 | West Georgia Technical College | Waco, GA | Full Report |
| #59 | John Tyler Community College | Chester, VA | Full Report |
| #60 | Jefferson Community And Technical College | Louisville, KY | Full Report |
| #61 | South Piedmont Community College | Polkton, NC | Full Report |
| #62 | Edgecombe Community College | Tarboro, NC | Full Report |
| #63 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | Full Report |
A few more high-value education schools worth a look:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 415 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 415 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.