by our College Data Analytics Team
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/) 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for curriculum & instruction students.
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 Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 best value for curriculum & instruction in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned it the #2 place for curriculum & instruction. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at Carlow University, which ranked #3. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,874. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $30,222 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $66,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kings College earned it the #4 place for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,980 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Kings College earn a median of $45,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gannon University earned it the #5 place for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,656. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $53,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
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Saint Vincent College placed #6 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,396. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,986. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Saint Vincent College earn a median of $49,291 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,986 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,307. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $58,124. That is a strong return on a $26,307 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Robert Morris University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,770. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,748. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $67,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern University placed #9 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Students from in state pay about $38,400 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $28,584 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Eastern University generally make around $50,474. That is a strong return on a $28,584 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wilkes University earned the #10 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,496. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $64,004 early in their careers. Set against $26,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,500. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $48,472. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary admits about 54% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #12 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.