[Science Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 328 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for science education students.
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Finding the Best Value Science Education School for You
The science education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Science Education Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Science Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for science education in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $12,000. Science Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $61,604 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for science education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $13,178. Science Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $61,164 early in their careers. Set against $13,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in science education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $15,671. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $16,000. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $67,212. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for science education. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $73,336. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Florida came in at #7 for value in science education this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Science Education graduates carry a median of $15,275 in student loans. Science Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,275 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #8 position for value in science education this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $90,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. 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 $20,375 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $51,543. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $21,794. Science Education graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,794 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
California State University East Bay landed the #11 spot for science education value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #12 for value in science education this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $27,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Set against $27,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #13 spot for science education value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,125 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $58,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Itawamba Community College earned the #14 position for value in science education this year. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Science Education graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #15 spot for science education value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Science Education graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $71,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Western Governors University came in at #16 for value in science education this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $25,145. Early-career science education graduates make about $51,888. Set against $25,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College came in at #17 for value in science education this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Science Education graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
San Jose State University came in at #18 for value in science education this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Arizona State University earned the #19 position for value in science education this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $54,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $61,081. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Weber State University earned the #21 position for value in science education this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Science Education graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $50,600 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,767 median debt.
Eastern Washington University earned the #22 position for value in science education this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Science Education graduates carry a median of $23,009 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $41,914. Set against $23,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Davis came in at #23 for value in science education this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $53,749. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Saint Xavier University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Science Education graduates carry a median of $27,194 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Set against $27,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #25 for value in science education this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $5,500. Early-career science education graduates make about $24,881. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Science Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in science education:
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 · 328 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 114 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).
[Science Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
