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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Massachusetts

7 Colleges in the United States
$23,594 Avg Student Debt
$61,817 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Secondary Education Badge [Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value secondary education schools.

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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Massachusetts

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Secondary Education Schools

1

Springfield Technical Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $5,881 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $28,769. Set against $5,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

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. Students borrow a median of $22,971 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $42,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,971 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.

3

Framingham State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. 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

A rank of #4 makes Holyoke Community College one of the best values for secondary education. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $9,763. Secondary Education graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $43,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. 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.

6

Salem State University placed #6 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

7

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,106. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.

8

Westfield State University landed the #8 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $46,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

9
Gordon College crest
Gordon College
Wenham, MA

Gordon College earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Wenham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,700. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,975 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $37,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

10

American International College landed the #10 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Students borrow a median of $30,390 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $59,475. That is a strong return on a $30,390 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

11
Stonehill College crest
Stonehill College
Easton, MA

Stonehill College placed #11 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the suburb of Easton, Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,370 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,990 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Stonehill College earn a median of $44,027 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

12

Wheaton College Massachusetts came in at #12 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Norton, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,960. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,117. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Wheaton College Massachusetts generally make around $32,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Massachusetts admits about 68% of applicants.

13

Emmanuel College Massachusetts earned the #13 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Emmanuel College Massachusetts generally make around $42,216. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.

14
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University placed #14 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Students borrow a median of $17,918 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $44,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lesley University admits about 97% of applicants.

15

Brandeis University placed #15 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. Students borrow a median of $25,653 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.

16
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College landed the #16 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,913. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. Set against $26,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

17
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,650 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,973. Secondary Education graduates of Endicott College earn a median of $61,759 early in their careers. Set against $25,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Endicott College admits about 71% of applicants.

18
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College came in at #18 for value in secondary education this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $18,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $66,132. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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