by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 339 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value education schools.
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 Cuyahoga Community College District this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,564 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $30,880. That is a strong return on a $11,564 median debt.
Elgin Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Education graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,607. Education graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $14,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Harper College one of the best values for education. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,963. Early-career education graduates make about $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College one of the best values for education. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,458 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn a median of $27,158 early in their careers. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Bay Mills Community College came in at #6 for value in education this year. Bay Mills Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Brimley. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,048.
Sinclair Community College came in at #7 for value in education this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Education graduates carry a median of $12,129 in student loans. Education graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $24,950 early in their careers. Set against $12,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alpena Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College placed #9 among the best values for education. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,365. Early-career education graduates make about $17,481. Set against $17,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College placed #10 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,928. Early-career education graduates make about $48,267. That is a strong return on a $14,928 median debt.
College Of Lake County placed #11 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #12 for value in education this year. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,384. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $35,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College came in at #13 for value in education this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Education graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Education graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Oakland Community College earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,865. Early-career education graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,932 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $26,302. Set against $13,932 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Kokomo landed the #16 spot for education value this year. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,885. Education graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $40,553 early in their careers. Set against $25,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #17 among the best values for education. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,925. Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $51,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Gateway Technical College came in at #18 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $14,829 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $42,410. That is a strong return on a $14,829 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,000. Education graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $27,548 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Southeast ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,145. Education graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $48,032 early in their careers. Set against $24,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Northwest ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $48,497. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College landed the #22 spot for education value this year. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Students borrow a median of $21,616 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $29,867. Set against $21,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #23 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Education graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #24 for value in education this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $20,710 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $30,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Michigan College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,417, while out-of-state students pay about $8,394. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,575. Early-career education graduates make about $43,153. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for education 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 · 339 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 151 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.