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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for science education students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in science education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Odessa College tops our 2026 list of the best value science education schools in Texas. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Science Education graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #2 place for science education. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $21,275. Science Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Texas Tech University one of the best values for science education. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $24,271. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Hardin Simmons University one of the best values for science education. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,960. Students borrow a median of $27,709 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $48,334. Set against $27,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes Abilene Christian University one of the best values for science education. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,200. Science Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $56,463. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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Dallas Baptist University came in at #6 for value in science education this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $22,819. Early-career science education graduates make about $48,822. That is a strong return on a $22,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Christian University earned the #7 position for value in science education this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $57,665. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Baylor University landed the #8 spot for science education value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $49,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.