by our College Data Analytics Team
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/curriculum-and-instruction/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 63 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value curriculum & instruction schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in curriculum & instruction, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Peru State College, our #1 best value for curriculum & instruction in the The Plains States Region. Peru State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Peru. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,254. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $53,549 early in their careers. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chadron State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $22,912. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $60,127. Set against $22,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #3 place for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $52,217 early in their careers. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,262. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $51,618. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in curriculum & instruction, landing the #5 spot this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $53,346. That is a strong return on a $22,974 median debt.
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Emporia State University came in at #6 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,131. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $53,656. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $54,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,173 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $46,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $62,695 early in their careers. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #10 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $55,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #11 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $51,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Northern State University placed #12 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,845 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Students borrow a median of $26,143 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $51,127. That is a strong return on a $26,143 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $29,026. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $54,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #14 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,447 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $57,408 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University came in at #15 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $51,234. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kansas State University earned the #16 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,546. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,909 early in their careers. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Buena Vista University landed the #17 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,798. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $44,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Lindenwood University earned the #18 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $83,131. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University came in at #19 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $67,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Dakota placed #20 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University came in at #21 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,876 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $42,039 early in their careers. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #22 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $54,270. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Jamestown College placed #23 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $24,990. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Jamestown College earn a median of $56,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
St Catherine University landed the #24 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $29,883 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $60,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
William Woods University earned the #25 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the town of Fulton, William Woods University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,340 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,512 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $39,567. That is a strong return on a $25,512 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for curriculum & instruction this year:
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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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.