by our College Data Analytics Team
[Teacher Education Grade Specific](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Our analysis ranked Dodge City Community College the best value for a degree in teacher education grade specific in Kansas. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washburn University earned it the #2 place for teacher education grade specific. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,945 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $46,519. Set against $22,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for teacher education grade specific. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $30,800. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $42,112. That is a strong return on a $30,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #4 place for teacher education grade specific. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $30,250. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $43,764 early in their careers. Set against $30,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Emporia State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $23,976 in student loans. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $47,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Kansas landed the #6 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $24,776. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $45,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Butler Community College landed the #7 spot for teacher education grade specific value this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,541, with out-of-state students paying around $6,271. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kansas State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $24,999 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $45,512. Set against $24,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Pittsburg State University earned the #9 position for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $22,727. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $45,712. Set against $22,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Newman University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Newman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,500. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $43,296. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Newman University admits about 74% of applicants.
Mcpherson College placed #11 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Located in the town of McPherson, Mcpherson College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,146. Typical student debt for teacher education grade specific graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher education grade specific graduates make about $42,278. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Southwestern College came in at #12 for value in teacher education grade specific this year. Located in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,822. Students borrow a median of $26,874 to complete the teacher education grade specific program here. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates of Southwestern College earn a median of $44,511 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,874 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Benedictine College placed #13 among the best values for teacher education grade specific. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,350. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $23,377 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $42,834. Set against $23,377 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Benedictine College admits about 98% of applicants.
Midamerica Nazarene University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education grade specific schools. Set in the suburb of Olathe, Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,174 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education Grade Specific graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education grade specific degree recipients from Midamerica Nazarene University generally make around $40,676. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.