by our College Data Analytics Team
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-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 347 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for teacher education students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study teacher education affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Teacher Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Teacher Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the teacher education degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in teacher education, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,625 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $29,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $24,507. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #4 spot this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education will find it at Palo Alto College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,430 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $29,062. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
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Northern Essex Community College came in at #6 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Students borrow a median of $10,129 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $28,635 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,129 median debt.
Essex County College placed #7 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $23,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $12,500. Teacher Education graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $25,385 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Houston Community College placed #9 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $16,250. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt.
Camden County College landed the #10 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $8,750. Teacher Education graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $21,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
San Antonio College landed the #11 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $10,375. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $21,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Idaho came in at #12 for value in teacher education this year. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $8,006 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of College Of Southern Idaho earn a median of $39,099 early in their careers. Set against $8,006 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange placed #13 among the best values for teacher education. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College landed the #14 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $19,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $11,069 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $19,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #16 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $7,750. Teacher Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $10,576 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #17 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $8,450 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn a median of $25,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.
Holmes Community College came in at #18 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Students borrow a median of $6,200 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College earned the #19 position for value in teacher education this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $19,581 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College came in at #20 for value in teacher education this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $11,598 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $40,499. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paris Junior College earned the #21 position for value in teacher education this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for teacher education. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $52,532. That is a strong return on a $20,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Sinclair Community College placed #23 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,129 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $24,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alpena Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned the #25 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $7,018. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $35,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in teacher education:
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Teacher Education is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
The ranking above is published 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 · 347 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 104 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.