2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Massachusetts

[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.
What’s on this page:
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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%.
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%.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
More Secondary Education Rankings
View All Secondary Education Rankings >
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.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.