by our College Data Analytics Team
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong secondary education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in secondary education, no school beat Eastern Wyoming College this year. Located in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,290 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $7,690. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $34,058. That is a strong return on a $7,690 median debt.
Laramie County Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,309. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $51,302. That is a strong return on a $15,309 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest College earned it the #3 place for secondary education. Set in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,962, while out-of-state students pay about $11,262. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Northwest College earn a median of $40,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Wyoming Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $10,530. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $12,628. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $53,554. Set against $12,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Sheridan College one of the best values for secondary education. Located in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,130. Students borrow a median of $11,334 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Sheridan College earn a median of $49,039 early in their careers. Set against $11,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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University Of Wyoming landed the #6 spot for secondary education value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,250. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,901. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Central Wyoming College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Central Wyoming College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Riverton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $11,100. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $12,820 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Central Wyoming College earn a median of $65,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,820 median debt.
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.