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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
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.
Columbia State Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value education schools in Tennessee. Set in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,674. Early-career education graduates make about $44,481. That is a strong return on a $12,674 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Roane State Community College one of the best values for education. 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, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,408. Early-career education graduates make about $36,933. Set against $9,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Pellissippi State Community College, which ranked #3. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $43,816 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
Walters State Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,210. Education graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $12,280 early in their careers. Set against $10,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattanooga State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,079. Early-career education graduates make about $37,252. Set against $12,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast State Community College placed #6 among the best values for education. Set in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,782, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Education graduates carry a median of $6,404 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northeast State Community College generally make around $39,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nashville State Community College earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,730, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. Students borrow a median of $16,745 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $41,456 early in their careers. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Motlow State Community College landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Located in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,738, compared with $17,722 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $6,470 in student loans. Education graduates of Motlow State Community College earn a median of $43,750 early in their careers. Set against $6,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #9 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for education graduates is $21,000. Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $43,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Tennessee State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $34,756. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Volunteer State Community College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. In-state tuition and fees average $4,756, compared with $17,740 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. Education graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,462 median debt.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for education graduates is $20,003. Education graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $44,347 early in their careers. Set against $20,003 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Christian Brothers University landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Typical student debt for education graduates is $32,416. Early-career education graduates make about $54,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #14 position for value in education this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $22,517 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $44,889 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,517 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Education graduates carry a median of $14,566 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $41,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Memphis landed the #16 spot for education value this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Education graduates carry a median of $22,687 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $44,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,300. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $63,755. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $50,276 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Bryan College Dayton ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,800. Education graduates carry a median of $25,652 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Bryan College Dayton generally make around $44,067. That is a strong return on a $25,652 median debt.
East Tennessee State University landed the #20 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $49,864. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #21 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $47,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
South College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. South College is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $18,535 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,533 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of South College earn a median of $51,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,533 median debt.
Lincoln Memorial University placed #23 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,938. Education graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $57,508. That is a strong return on a $20,693 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $68,272. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Cumberland University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,840. Typical student debt for education graduates is $21,902. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $46,297. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
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. 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.