by our College Data Analytics Team
[Teacher Education Grade Specific](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/) 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 78 schools to find the best return on investment for teacher education grade specific students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education grade specific, balancing cost against outcomes.
California State University Bakersfield tops our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools in California. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education grade specific, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $12,566 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $25,177. That is a strong return on a $12,566 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #3 place for teacher education grade specific. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $14,542. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $47,473 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for teacher education grade specific. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for teacher education grade specific. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $74,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
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California State University Fresno ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $51,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #7 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $12,000. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $29,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #8 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $13,805. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $30,232 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,805 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Sacramento landed the #9 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $17,492. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $49,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University East Bay came in at #10 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $18,073. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of California Irvine earned the #11 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $65,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos placed #12 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $15,150. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $29,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
San Francisco State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $12,692 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $56,041. That is a strong return on a $12,692 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jose State University earned the #14 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Desert earned the #15 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,326, while out-of-state students pay about $10,174. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $7,826. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from College Of The Desert generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $7,826 median debt.
University Of California Berkeley placed #16 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
California State University Chico earned the #17 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $18,591 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $45,591. Set against $18,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
Fresno Pacific University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $36,660 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $33,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,500. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $40,095. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $40,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $18,090. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $22,293. That is a strong return on a $18,090 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #21 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $41,700 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $80,727. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
San Diego State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $37,946 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Azusa Pacific University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Sonora placed #24 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Set in the rural area of Sonora, Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $13,293 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Columbia College Sonora generally make around $103,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Azusa Pacific University College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Azusa Pacific University College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,360. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $35,625. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University College generally make around $55,054.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s teacher education grade specific value ranking:
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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 · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.