by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 94 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.
For return on investment in secondary education, no school beat Northeast Community College this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,799. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $24,710. That is a strong return on a $11,799 median debt.
Western Nebraska Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Western Nebraska Community College is a small public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $62,413. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,390. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,626. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Dodge City Community College one of the best values for secondary education. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $45,427 ten years out.
A rank of #5 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,886. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Iowa Central Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $39,624. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $14,956. Secondary Education graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Creston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,881. Secondary Education graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,000. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $47,123 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa Western Community College came in at #11 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,153. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #12 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,019. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #13 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $39,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $21,850. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $36,345. Set against $21,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,760. That is a strong return on a $16,126 median debt.
Valley City State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Valley City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Valley City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $44,179. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Fort Hays State University placed #17 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $30,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $42,112. That is a strong return on a $30,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Sinte Gleska University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the rural area of Mission, Sinte Gleska University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,714. Graduates go on to earn a median of $20,948 ten years after entry.
Mayville State University came in at #19 for value in secondary education this year. Mayville State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mayville. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #20 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $22,995. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $37,061. Set against $22,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Dickinson State University landed the #21 spot for secondary education value this year. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $49,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 37%.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #22 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,199 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $38,947. That is a strong return on a $24,199 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Emporia State University landed the #23 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,976 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #24 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Kansas came in at #25 for value in secondary education this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,776. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,405. That is a strong return on a $24,776 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.