by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
For return on investment in education, no school beat Oglala Lakota College this year. Set in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,684 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $22,517.
Northern State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Students borrow a median of $24,242 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $46,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Sinte Gleska University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Sinte Gleska University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mission. Students from in state pay about $4,714 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $20,948 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Black Hills State University earned it the #4 place for education. Located in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,916, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $26,624 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $48,546. Set against $26,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Dakota Wesleyan University one of the best values for education. Located in the town of Mitchell, Dakota Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,790. Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Dakota Wesleyan University earn a median of $71,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University placed #6 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Education graduates carry a median of $25,992 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $45,663. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of South Dakota earned the #7 position for value in education this year. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $50,769. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
Dakota State University placed #8 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,342 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $44,161. Set against $29,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Sioux Falls earned the #9 position for value in education this year. University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,750. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Sioux Falls earn a median of $43,934 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Mount Marty College landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Yankton, Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,600 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $45,760. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Augustana College South Dakota landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,160. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Augustana College South Dakota generally make around $44,403. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.