by our College Data Analytics Team
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) 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 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary education students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Montgomery County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among secondary education schools in Pennsylvania. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $14,250. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $20,885. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northampton County Area Community College earned it the #2 place for secondary education. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Students borrow a median of $13,796 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $26,956 early in their careers. Set against $13,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Philadelphia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $28,805 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for secondary education. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned it the #5 place for secondary education. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $16,838. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $30,289. That is a strong return on a $16,838 median debt.
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Pennsylvania Western University placed #6 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for secondary education value this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,557 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $50,484. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Bradford, University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,770, with out-of-state students paying around $26,644. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Bradford earn a median of $36,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earned the #10 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,710, with out-of-state students paying around $26,584. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $36,248. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #11 for value in secondary education this year. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $36,248. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #12 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
La Salle University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,462 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $54,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Geneva College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Beaver Falls, Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,450. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $46,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carlow University landed the #15 spot for secondary education value this year. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,874. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $39,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Marywood University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,420. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Marywood University generally make around $42,049. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Cedar Crest College earned the #17 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,314. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $30,759. Secondary Education graduates of Cedar Crest College earn a median of $67,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cedar Crest College admits about 84% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #19 among the best values for secondary education. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Point Park University placed #20 among the best values for secondary education. Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,570. Students borrow a median of $28,323 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $35,540. Set against $28,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Arcadia University earned the #21 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,610. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $54,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Robert Morris University came in at #22 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,770. Students borrow a median of $26,748 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Robert Morris University generally make around $58,900. Set against $26,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Gwynedd Mercy College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,838. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of Gwynedd Mercy College earn a median of $49,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Gwynedd Mercy College admits about 90% of applicants.
Delaware Valley College earned the #24 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Doylestown, Delaware Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,278 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,012. Set against $26,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Wilkes University placed #25 among the best values for secondary education. Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $53,433. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in secondary education:
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.