by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/college-postsecondary-university-teaching/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Delta State University, our #1 best value for value in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,605. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $41,156. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Delta State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at East Tennessee State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Value graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Value graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $42,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes East Carolina University one of the best values for value. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,625. Value graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $45,356 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Kentucky is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,250. Value graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $42,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes High Point University one of the best values for value. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,312. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,500. Early-career value graduates make about $113,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.
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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.