2026 Best Value Education Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among education schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $65,726. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.

2

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for education. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. 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. Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $75,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,821 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $12,901 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $76,173 early in their careers. Set against $12,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

4

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,916 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $75,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for education. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,653. Early-career education graduates make about $74,361. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #6 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Education graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $48,657 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

7

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Education graduates carry a median of $12,331 in student loans. Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $81,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College placed #8 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $77,971 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

9

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,945. Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $70,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

10

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #10 among the best values for education. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

11

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

12

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University placed #12 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $17,940 in student loans. Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $60,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,940 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

13

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus placed #13 among the best values for education. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $13,805 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $30,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,805 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

14

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,566. Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $67,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

15

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno landed the #15 spot for education value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,000. Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $37,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

16

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $15,608 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $55,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

17

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,854. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $74,905. That is a strong return on a $11,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

18

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #18 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,202. Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $74,118 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

19

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,671. Early-career education graduates make about $80,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

20

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #20 spot for education value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $61,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

21

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $19,157. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $49,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

22

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Education graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $55,098. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.

23

University Of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK

University Of Alaska Southeast landed the #23 spot for education value this year. Located in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $20,527 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $68,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

24

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University came in at #24 for value in education this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Education graduates carry a median of $17,890 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $49,388. That is a strong return on a $17,890 median debt.

25

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,333 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $55,932. Set against $26,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.