2026 Best Value Secondary Education Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among secondary education schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $14,542. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $66,012. Set against $14,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. 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. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

3

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,661 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $50,178. That is a strong return on a $17,661 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

4

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $16,151. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $72,769. That is a strong return on a $16,151 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

University Of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK

University Of Alaska Southeast placed #6 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,936, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,527 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $57,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

7

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida placed #7 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $54,726 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

8

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University earned the #8 position for value in secondary education this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $18,670 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $60,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University landed the #9 spot for secondary education value this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,904. Secondary Education graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

10

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,913 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $50,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

11

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #11 for value in secondary education this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

12

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College placed #12 among the best values for secondary education. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $62,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.

13

Indiana University Northwest
Gary, IN

Indiana University Northwest earned the #13 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $31,000. Secondary Education graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,497 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

14

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University came in at #14 for value in secondary education this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,324 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,423. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

15

Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN

Indiana University Southeast ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,145. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $52,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

16

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #16 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $20,548 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $59,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.

17

University Of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA

University Of North Georgia earned the #17 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $52,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

18

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama placed #18 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $53,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

19

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida came in at #19 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $19,097 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,299. Set against $19,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

20

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University earned the #20 position for value in secondary education this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $15,612 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $60,664. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

21

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University earned the #21 position for value in secondary education this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,886 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. Set against $25,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

22

The University Of Tennessee Martin
Martin, TN

The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #22 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $45,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

23

Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University landed the #23 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,750. Secondary Education graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

24

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #24 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $52,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

25

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $55,826 early in their careers. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.