by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Snow College tops our 2026 list of the best value education schools in Utah. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Education graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Salt Lake Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Education graduates carry a median of $13,649 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Set against $13,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,890. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $49,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Governors University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,146. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $52,727. Set against $25,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,799. Early-career education graduates make about $52,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Southern Utah University landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Education graduates carry a median of $16,151 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $45,417. Set against $16,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Utah State University came in at #7 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Education graduates carry a median of $15,494 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $52,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Education graduates carry a median of $25,472 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $69,158 early in their careers. Set against $25,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,627 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $47,343. That is a strong return on a $9,627 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #10 among the best values for education. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,565 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $49,823 early in their careers. Set against $27,565 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.