by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Leading the list is Community College Of Rhode Island, our #1 best value for education in Rhode Island. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,187. Education graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,187 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Rhode Island one of the best values for education. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $23,343 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $41,376. Set against $23,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rhode Island College earned it the #3 place for education. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Education graduates carry a median of $29,522 in student loans. Education graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $51,435 early in their careers. Set against $29,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Brown University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,025. Early-career education graduates make about $56,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Johnson And Wales University Providence one of the best values for education. Set in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,982. Students borrow a median of $26,350 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Johnson And Wales University Providence generally make around $99,680. Set against $26,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson And Wales University Providence admits about 88% of applicants.
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Salve Regina University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $48,643. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Roger Williams University landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Roger Williams University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bristol. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,197. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $48,664. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Providence College landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,550. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Providence College generally make around $57,430. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Providence College admits about 51% of applicants.
Rhode Island School Of Design placed #9 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Providence, Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Education graduates carry a median of $26,943 in student loans. Education graduates of Rhode Island School Of Design earn a median of $29,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,943 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.