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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in education, no school beat Minot State University this year. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,025 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $45,518. Set against $28,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valley City State University earned it the #2 place for education. Valley City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Valley City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $24,586 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $50,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Mayville State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,237. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $47,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Dickinson State University one of the best values for education. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,750. Education graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $46,305 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the best values for education. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Education graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $47,625. That is a strong return on a $25,485 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,351. Early-career education graduates make about $45,991. Set against $27,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of North Dakota earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $55,921 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Jamestown College came in at #8 for value in education this year. Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Jamestown. Students from in state pay about $24,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $49,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Jamestown College admits about 88% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
