by our College Data Analytics Team
[Mathematics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/mathematics-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for mathematics education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mathematics education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Montgomery College tops our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools in Maryland. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $11,230. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mathematics education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salisbury University earned it the #3 place for mathematics education. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $24,240. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $45,808. Set against $24,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics education will find it at Towson University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $21,500. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $56,200. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $13,426. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $84,850. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.