by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in education, no school beat Capital Community College this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Education graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $29,811. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Charter Oak State College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,506. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,584. Education graduates of Charter Oak State College earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,584 median debt.
Central Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $25,478 in student loans. Education graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $62,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,478 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Connecticut State University earned it the #4 place for education. Located in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,401, compared with $16,901 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,283 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $39,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Post University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,922. Education graduates carry a median of $35,364 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Post University generally make around $59,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,928, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,758 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $48,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut placed #7 among the best values for education. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,010. Education graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $28,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #8 among the best values for education. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,264. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $51,147. Set against $25,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Yale University came in at #9 for value in education this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Bridgeport came in at #10 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,760. Education graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Bridgeport earn a median of $64,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,601 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Saint Joseph College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,278 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,798 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $55,775. That is a strong return on a $27,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Wesleyan University landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $70,042. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,125. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hartford came in at #13 for value in education this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,075. Education graduates carry a median of $20,874 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $56,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hartford admits about 96% of applicants.
Goodwin College landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Goodwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of East Hartford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,188. Education graduates carry a median of $35,611 in student loans. Education graduates of Goodwin College earn a median of $52,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,611 median debt.
Connecticut College earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New London. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,242. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,807. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Connecticut College generally make around $43,936. That is a strong return on a $23,807 median debt. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Hartford, Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,770 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $23,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Trinity College generally make around $52,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Quinnipiac University earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Education graduates carry a median of $25,926 in student loans. Education graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $56,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Quinnipiac University admits about 72% of applicants.
Sacred Heart University landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,404. Education graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Education graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of $93,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,831 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Fairfield University earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,400. Students borrow a median of $26,687 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of $48,519 early in their careers. Set against $26,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.