2026 Best Value Secondary Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Queens College the best value for a degree in secondary education in the United States. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $13,100 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,100 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

2

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #2 place for secondary education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $17,661 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $50,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

3

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $25,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,542 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $28,933 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,542 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

5

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Western New Mexico University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,425. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,366. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

7

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $46,646 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

8

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in secondary education this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,705 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,913. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,475. Set against $24,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

10

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #10 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,489 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,951. Set against $19,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

11

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.

12

Great Basin College
Elko, NV

Great Basin College earned the #12 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Elko, Great Basin College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,923, compared with $11,996 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,128 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Great Basin College earn a median of $67,461 early in their careers. Set against $17,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida landed the #13 spot for secondary education value this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $19,097 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $47,210. That is a strong return on a $19,097 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #14 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,573 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,619. That is a strong return on a $24,573 median debt.

15

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #15 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,458. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK

University Of Alaska Southeast ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $20,527 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Alaska Southeast generally make around $52,875. That is a strong return on a $20,527 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

17

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,250. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,443. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA

University Of North Georgia earned the #18 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $46,099 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

19

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University placed #19 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $18,670. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,861. That is a strong return on a $18,670 median debt.

20

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University placed #20 among the best values for secondary education. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $40,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

21

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,885 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $40,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,885 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

22

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming earned the #22 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

23

Northern New Mexico College
Espanola, NM

Northern New Mexico College placed #23 among the best values for secondary education. Northern New Mexico College is a small public school located in the town of Espanola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,064, while out-of-state students pay about $14,328. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.

24

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University earned the #24 position for value in secondary education this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $22,324. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,423. Set against $22,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University placed #25 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.