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 43 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value education schools.
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.
Our analysis ranked Mid South Community College the best value for a degree in education in Arkansas. Mid South Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of West Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,126, while out-of-state students pay about $4,824. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
A rank of #2 makes Rich Mountain Community College one of the best values for education. Set in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,696, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Rich Mountain Community College generally make around $21,186.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas, which ranked #3. Set in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,018 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $35,035. Set against $7,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarka College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,820, compared with $6,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,778. Early-career education graduates make about $48,116. Set against $11,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Northwest Arkansas Community College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,342 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,238. Students borrow a median of $12,479 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $40,671. Set against $12,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Arkansas Northeastern College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school located in the town of Blytheville. Students from in state pay about $2,570 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,250. Students borrow a median of $7,944 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $23,575. Set against $7,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black River Technical College came in at #7 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,776, with out-of-state students paying around $7,488. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,420. Education graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $41,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,420 median debt.
East Arkansas Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,380. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,110. Education graduates of East Arkansas Community College earn a median of $42,134 early in their careers. Set against $8,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Arkansas Community College placed #9 among the best values for education. South Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in the town of El Dorado. In-state tuition and fees average $3,324, compared with $5,532 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $15,386 in student loans. Education graduates of South Arkansas Community College earn a median of $59,370 early in their careers. Set against $15,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Beebe placed #10 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Typical student debt for education graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Arkansas State University Beebe generally make around $18,025. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville came in at #11 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $4,662. Education graduates carry a median of $9,265 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $64,187. That is a strong return on a $9,265 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Hope, University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,885, compared with $5,565 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $34,162 ten years out.
Arkansas State University Newport came in at #13 for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. Students borrow a median of $10,925 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Arkansas State University Newport earn a median of $44,500 early in their careers. Set against $10,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,776. Students borrow a median of $18,097 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $39,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith came in at #15 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, compared with $12,182 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $16,955 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $40,539 early in their careers. Set against $16,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
North Arkansas College came in at #16 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $5,592. Students borrow a median of $10,645 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from North Arkansas College generally make around $38,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
National Park Community College earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, compared with $7,280 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,525 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $42,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $4,728. Education graduates carry a median of $13,758 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earn a median of $47,729 early in their careers. Set against $13,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton admits about 100% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,042. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $43,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff came in at #20 for value in education this year. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. In-state tuition and fees average $9,375, compared with $17,955 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $25,984 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $30,536. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $24,691 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $49,156. That is a strong return on a $24,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,292 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,857 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,611. Early-career education graduates make about $44,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pulaski Technical College placed #23 among the best values for education. Located in the city of North Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $14,849 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $32,554. That is a strong return on a $14,849 median debt.
Williams Baptist College landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Set in the rural area of Walnut Ridge, Williams Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,070. Students borrow a median of $18,933 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $31,309. Set against $18,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Williams Baptist College admits about 83% of applicants.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Students borrow a median of $12,516 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $44,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s education value ranking:
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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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.