by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 35 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.
Dodge City Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value education schools in Kansas. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $45,427 ten years out.
A rank of #2 makes Colby Community College one of the best values for education. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,796 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Colby Community College earn a median of $40,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,796 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Highland Community College Highland earned it the #3 place for education. Set in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,495. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,000. Early-career education graduates make about $22,909. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Washburn University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Students borrow a median of $22,945 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $46,519. That is a strong return on a $22,945 median debt.
Barton County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,680, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Education graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Barton County Community College generally make around $44,536. Set against $14,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Fort Hays State University came in at #6 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Education graduates carry a median of $24,004 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $43,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Wichita State University earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,114. Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $47,547 early in their careers. Set against $23,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Education graduates carry a median of $22,676 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $52,862. That is a strong return on a $22,676 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas landed the #9 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Education graduates carry a median of $24,246 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $46,546. Set against $24,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Butler Community College landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, with out-of-state students paying around $6,271. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $39,404. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kansas State University earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Education graduates carry a median of $23,075 in student loans. Education graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $45,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University placed #12 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,958. Education graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $47,861 early in their careers. Set against $23,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Newman University landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Newman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,500. Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Newman University earn a median of $43,360 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Newman University admits about 74% of applicants.
Tabor College placed #14 among the best values for education. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,200 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,058. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Baker University earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Baldwin City, Baker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,554 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Baker University earn a median of $73,665 early in their careers. Set against $29,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Saint Mary placed #16 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Leavenworth, University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,380. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,810. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Saint Mary generally make around $42,512. That is a strong return on a $27,810 median debt. University Of Saint Mary admits about 87% of applicants.
Mcpherson College landed the #17 spot for education value this year. Mcpherson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of McPherson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,146. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $42,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Friends University placed #18 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Wichita, Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,192. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $53,788. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern College landed the #19 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,822. Education graduates carry a median of $26,874 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southwestern College generally make around $44,511. Set against $26,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Benedictine College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,377. Education graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $42,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,377 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Midamerica Nazarene University earned the #21 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Olathe, Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,174 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,875. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Midamerica Nazarene University generally make around $42,032. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. Midamerica Nazarene University admits about 79% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.