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 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for science education students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the science education degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in science education, no school beat Minot State University this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $28,324. Early-career science education graduates make about $50,645. Set against $28,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Dickinson State University one of the best values for science education. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,118. Science Education graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $51,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in science education will find it at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $25,485 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $46,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of North Dakota is a great value for students pursuing a degree in science education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $56,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
