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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary education students.
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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 Dodge City Community College this year. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $45,427 ten years out.
A rank of #2 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for secondary education. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $30,800 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $42,112 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Emporia State University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,976. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #4 place for secondary education. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,776 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $45,405 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,776 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Butler Community College earned it the #5 place for secondary education. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Kansas State University landed the #6 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $24,999 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,512. That is a strong return on a $24,999 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Newman University landed the #7 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Newman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,500. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,296. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Southwestern College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,822. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,874. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Southwestern College generally make around $44,511. Set against $26,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Benedictine College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,350 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,377 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $42,834. Set against $23,377 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.