by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2376 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.
For return on investment in education, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,821 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $65,099. Set against $11,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $12,901 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $56,814. That is a strong return on a $12,901 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #3. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,916 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $72,383. Set against $9,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $57,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,779. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
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Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #6 for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Indian River State College earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $48,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University placed #8 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,940 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $57,276. That is a strong return on a $17,940 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield placed #9 among the best values for education. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
St Petersburg College earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,956 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $49,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,956 median debt.
University Of Florida landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,608. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $49,897. That is a strong return on a $15,608 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,331 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $47,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Miami Dade College earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Education graduates carry a median of $9,671 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $53,509. Set against $9,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $48,657. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,854. Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $46,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,854 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
El Centro College landed the #16 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $25,385. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno came in at #17 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $37,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge earned the #18 position for value in education this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,099. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Florida Gateway College came in at #19 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,669 in student loans. Education graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. Set against $8,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #20 for value in education this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,492. Education graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $49,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $13,805 in student loans. Education graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $30,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,805 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Chipola College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,097. Early-career education graduates make about $43,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton came in at #23 for value in education this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,945 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $40,602. That is a strong return on a $14,945 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,000. Education graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $45,008 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg placed #25 among the best values for education. Located in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, with out-of-state students paying around $9,424. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,182. Early-career education graduates make about $35,543. That is a strong return on a $11,182 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
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These institutions also earned high marks for education value:
Also worth considering for value in education:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Education rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 2376 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 654 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.