[Teacher Education Grade Specific](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1895 schools to find the best return on investment for teacher education grade specific students.
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Finding the Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific School for You
The teacher education grade specific program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
Frederick Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools in the United States. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $10,778. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $51,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #3 place for teacher education grade specific. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $10,862 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $48,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for teacher education grade specific. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $9,916 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $57,296 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
St Petersburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education grade specific, landing the #5 spot this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $19,900 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $49,672 early in their careers. Set against $19,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $13,100. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $46,208. Set against $13,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #7 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $11,602. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $27,981 early in their careers. Set against $11,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College came in at #8 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Northwest Vista College earn a median of $22,352 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #9 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $62,489. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Indian River State College placed #10 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $10,492. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $48,612 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #11 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $9,625 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $29,708. That is a strong return on a $9,625 median debt.
Texas A And M International University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
College Of The Mainland ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palo Alto College landed the #14 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $9,430. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
Tarrant County College District placed #15 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $24,507. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #16 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $19,695. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $33,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #17 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #18 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $12,566 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $25,177 early in their careers. Set against $12,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #19 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,331 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $31,366. That is a strong return on a $12,331 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Essex Community College earned the #20 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,129 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $28,635 early in their careers. Set against $10,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida earned the #21 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,063 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $48,506 early in their careers. Set against $18,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Miami Dade College landed the #22 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $51,545 early in their careers. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College landed the #23 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $25,385 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Essex County College earned the #24 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $23,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Renton Technical College came in at #25 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $7,768. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $18,582. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s teacher education grade specific value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1895 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 783 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).
[Teacher Education Grade Specific](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
