2026 Best Value Education Schools in Pennsylvania

1

Delaware County Community College
Media, PA

Leading the list is Delaware County Community College, our #1 best value for education in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Education graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $25,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Bucks County Community College
Newtown, PA

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Bucks County Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $19,993. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt.

3

Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, PA

A rank of #3 makes Lehigh Carbon Community College one of the best values for education. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #4 makes Holy Family University one of the best values for education. Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,330. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $64,748. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

5

Butler County Community College
Butler, PA

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Butler County Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,910, while out-of-state students pay about $12,000. Education graduates carry a median of $10,836 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $41,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Westmoreland County Community College
Youngwood, PA

Westmoreland County Community College earned the #6 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the education program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

7

Community College Of Beaver County
Monaca, PA

Community College Of Beaver County came in at #7 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500, with out-of-state students paying around $20,700. Students borrow a median of $14,324 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $49,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell, PA

Montgomery County Community College came in at #8 for value in education this year. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $20,885. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Community College Of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA

Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $28,805. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Northampton County Area Community College
Bethlehem, PA

Northampton County Area Community College landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,796. Early-career education graduates make about $26,956. Set against $13,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, 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.

12

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Johnstown, PA

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College came in at #12 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,110, while out-of-state students pay about $13,350. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,732. Education graduates of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earn a median of $40,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,732 median debt.

13

Reading Area Community College
Reading, PA

Reading Area Community College earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Students borrow a median of $13,979 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #14 for value in education this year. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Students borrow a median of $16,838 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $30,289. That is a strong return on a $16,838 median debt.

15

Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College placed #15 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $19,500. Education graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.

16

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, PA

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,082 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.

17

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington
Abington, PA

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 97%.

18

Pennsylvania Western University
California, PA

Pennsylvania Western University earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.

19

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Indiana, PA

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #19 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $27,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $49,423. That is a strong return on a $27,942 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

20

Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania
Cheyney, PA

Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot for education value this year. Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in the rural area of Cheyney. In-state tuition and fees average $10,904, while out-of-state students pay about $18,870. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,128.

21

York College Pennsylvania
York, PA

York College Pennsylvania earned the #21 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $48,002. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

22

Saint Francis University
Loretto, PA

Saint Francis University earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Loretto. In-state tuition and fees average $26,388. Typical student debt for education graduates is $30,729. Education graduates of Saint Francis University earn a median of $63,097 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,729 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

23

Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania
Lincoln University, PA

Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania placed #23 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,512, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,959 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $55,747 early in their careers. Set against $30,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

24

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Education graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,875 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.

25

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.