2026 Best Value Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in education/teaching of the gifted & talented, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $11,091. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $77,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education/teaching of the gifted & talented, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $13,213. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $54,729. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

4

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education/teaching of the gifted & talented, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $51,538. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

5

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value education/teaching of the gifted & talented schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $26,276 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $48,773. That is a strong return on a $26,276 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

6

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #6 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $53,546. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

7

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University earned the #7 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $20,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $44,926. That is a strong return on a $20,485 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.

8

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value education/teaching of the gifted & talented schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $22,444. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

9

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine placed #9 among the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $53,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

10

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University placed #10 among the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $23,168. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.

11

Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University placed #11 among the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $25,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $56,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University landed the #12 spot for education/teaching of the gifted & talented value this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $25,286. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $69,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

13

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University came in at #13 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $27,000. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $41,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

14

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University landed the #14 spot for education/teaching of the gifted & talented value this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $28,381 in student loans. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $41,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,381 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

15

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University earned the #15 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

16

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,720 early in their careers. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

17

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #17 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $26,602 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $47,549. That is a strong return on a $26,602 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

18

Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University earned the #18 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $57,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University placed #19 among the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $59,077. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.

20

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University placed #20 among the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $54,096 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

21

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University earned the #21 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $29,125 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Set against $29,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

22

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value education/teaching of the gifted & talented schools. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $28,061. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Northwestern State University Of Louisiana generally make around $49,123. That is a strong return on a $28,061 median debt. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana admits about 92% of applicants.

23

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago came in at #23 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $64,673. Set against $26,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.

24

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value education/teaching of the gifted & talented schools. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,918 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $50,691. Set against $19,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

25

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #25 spot for education/teaching of the gifted & talented value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $18,387 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $51,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.