2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the New England Region

1

Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield, MA

For return on investment in secondary education, no school beat Springfield Technical Community College this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. 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.

2

Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $22,971 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

3

Framingham State University
Framingham, MA

Framingham State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,872 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $49,006. Set against $25,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

4

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Rhode Island College, which ranked #4. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Students borrow a median of $27,973 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $42,119. That is a strong return on a $27,973 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5

Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MA

Holyoke Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Students borrow a median of $9,763 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,423. That is a strong return on a $9,763 median debt.

6

Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater State University earned the #6 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Maine At Presque Isle
Presque Isle, ME

University Of Maine At Presque Isle came in at #7 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,402, with out-of-state students paying around $14,862. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Maine At Presque Isle generally make around $41,148. That is a strong return on a $23,434 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

8

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Salem State University placed #8 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Maine At Farmington
Farmington, ME

University Of Maine At Farmington earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,308, compared with $23,878 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,094 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $38,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

10

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,026 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $44,363 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Maine
Orono, ME

University Of Maine landed the #11 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $38,924. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.

12

University Of Maine At Augusta
Augusta, ME

University Of Maine At Augusta placed #12 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,888 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $29,313. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, CT

Western Connecticut State University earned the #13 position for value in secondary education this year. Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Danbury. In-state tuition and fees average $13,401, with out-of-state students paying around $16,901. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $47,559. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

14

Westfield State University
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University earned the #14 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $46,645. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.

15

Keene State College
Keene, NH

Keene State College came in at #15 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,784 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,564. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #16 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

17

Plymouth State University
Plymouth, NH

Plymouth State University placed #17 among the best values for secondary education. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,528. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

18

University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont earned the #18 position for value in secondary education this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,250. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.

19

Eastern Connecticut State University
Willimantic, CT

Eastern Connecticut State University placed #19 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,928, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,978 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

20

Thomas College
Waterville, ME

Thomas College landed the #20 spot for secondary education value this year. Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. In-state tuition and fees average $31,824. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $38,994. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thomas College admits about 96% of applicants.

21

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Durham, NH

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,368. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,175. That is a strong return on a $26,368 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

22

Husson University
Bangor, ME

Husson University placed #22 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,304. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,485. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT

University Of Bridgeport ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bridgeport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,760. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $28,601. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Bridgeport generally make around $49,952. That is a strong return on a $28,601 median debt. University Of Bridgeport admits about 83% of applicants.

24

Gordon College
Wenham, MA

Gordon College came in at #24 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,700. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,975. Secondary Education graduates of Gordon College earn a median of $37,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gordon College admits about 69% of applicants.

25

American International College
Springfield, MA

American International College landed the #25 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,230. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $30,390 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $59,475. Set against $30,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.