2026 Best Value Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented](/majors/education/special-education/teaching-the-gifted-and-talented/) 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 11 schools to find the best return on investment for education/teaching of the gifted & talented students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education/teaching of the gifted & talented degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Schools
Leading the list is Purdue University Main Campus, our #1 best value for education/teaching of the gifted & talented in the Great Lakes Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $26,276. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $48,773 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,276 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Youngstown State University earned it the #2 place for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates is $29,125. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $49,025. That is a strong return on a $29,125 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ball State University earned it the #3 place for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $54,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented will find it at Concordia University Chicago, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $64,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cleveland State University one of the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Early-career education/teaching of the gifted & talented graduates make about $50,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #6 position for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Muskingum University placed #7 among the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Set in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,701 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,932 to complete the education/teaching of the gifted & talented program here. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from Muskingum University generally make around $39,918. Set against $26,932 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Muskingum University admits about 82% of applicants.
Ashland University placed #8 among the best values for education/teaching of the gifted & talented. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,210. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $45,537 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #9 for value in education/teaching of the gifted & talented this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Education/teaching Of The Gifted & Talented graduates carry a median of $24,742 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education/teaching of the gifted & talented degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $51,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Narrow Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Schools by State
More Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Rankings
View All Education/Teaching of the Gifted & Talented Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
