by our College Data Analytics Team
[Science Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value science education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in science education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in science education, no school beat Western Governors University this year. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,145 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $51,888. That is a strong return on a $25,145 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Weber State University one of the best values for science education. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
A rank of #3 makes Utah State University one of the best values for science education. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Science Education graduates carry a median of $14,757 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $50,877. Set against $14,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #4 makes Brigham Young University Provo one of the best values for science education. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $9,117. Science Education graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $47,153 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,117 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.