[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong secondary education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 693 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value secondary education schools.
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Finding the Best Value Secondary Education School for You
Where you study secondary education affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Secondary Education 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Secondary Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
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Our analysis ranked Cuny Queens College the best value for a degree in secondary education in the United States. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $13,100. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $24,507. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $9,625. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $29,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,430. Set against $17,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Collin County Community College District, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
San Antonio College earned the #6 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $10,375 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $10,928. Secondary Education graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College came in at #8 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,150. Secondary Education graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $44,618 early in their careers. Set against $25,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton came in at #9 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $14,542. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,473. Set against $14,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #10 for value in secondary education this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,661 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $50,178. Set against $17,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
El Centro College placed #11 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $12,500. Secondary Education graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $25,385 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Grayson College earned the #12 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Itawamba Community College landed the #13 spot for secondary education value this year. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $10,942. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Brazosport College came in at #14 for value in secondary education this year. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College earned the #15 position for value in secondary education this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College came in at #16 for value in secondary education this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $18,417 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $37,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College earned the #17 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $16,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Wyoming College landed the #18 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,290 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $7,690 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Eastern Wyoming College generally make around $34,058. That is a strong return on a $7,690 median debt.
Springfield Technical Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,904 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $5,881 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Springfield Technical Community College earn a median of $28,769 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,881 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #20 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,069. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $19,662. That is a strong return on a $11,069 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #21 for value in secondary education this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $19,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holmes Community College placed #22 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Students borrow a median of $6,200 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $18,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,200 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $10,576. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Florida State University came in at #24 for value in secondary education this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $45,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $16,151. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $72,769. Set against $16,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Secondary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for secondary education this year:
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Secondary Education is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
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 · 693 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 275 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).
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong secondary education education at a price that pays off.
