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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is College Of Southern Idaho, our #1 best value for education in Idaho. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Education graduates carry a median of $8,006 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $39,099. That is a strong return on a $8,006 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #2 place for education. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,878 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $42,009. That is a strong return on a $13,878 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Western Idaho earned it the #3 place for education. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Students borrow a median of $10,626 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $40,963.
A rank of #4 makes Lewis Clark State College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Education graduates carry a median of $27,988 in student loans. Education graduates of Lewis Clark State College earn a median of $40,305 early in their careers. Set against $27,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at University Of Idaho, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical student debt for education graduates is $28,731. Education graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $47,792 early in their careers. Set against $28,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
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Idaho State University came in at #6 for value in education this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,592. Early-career education graduates make about $41,332. That is a strong return on a $23,592 median debt.
Boise State University earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,765. Education graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $50,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,765 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwest Nazarene University came in at #8 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,824. Education graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Education graduates of Northwest Nazarene University earn a median of $59,567 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Northwest Nazarene University admits about 65% of applicants.
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.