2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in the Far Western Region
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong teacher education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value teacher education schools.
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2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the teacher education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of California Irvine, our #1 best value for teacher education in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $16,539. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $65,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Nevada Las Vegas one of the best values for teacher education. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $24,913. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Southern Nevada one of the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $11,069 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $19,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $17,342 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $17,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Heritage University one of the best values for teacher education. Set in the rural area of Toppenish, Heritage University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,928 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $20,049 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Heritage University generally make around $51,116. That is a strong return on a $20,049 median debt.
Fresno Pacific University placed #6 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $25,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $33,727. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley placed #7 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $22,960. Teacher Education graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,794 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Hawaii ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $41,461. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Oregon University landed the #10 spot for teacher education value this year. Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of La Grande. Students from in state pay about $11,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,729. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $48,893. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Southern Oregon University came in at #11 for value in teacher education this year. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,762, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $28,906 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Southern Oregon University earn a median of $47,690 early in their careers. Set against $28,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Western Oregon University landed the #12 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,514 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,169. Students borrow a median of $25,458 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Western Oregon University earn a median of $39,436 early in their careers. Set against $25,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Vanguard University Of Southern California landed the #13 spot for teacher education value this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $41,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $21,111. Teacher Education graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. Vanguard University Of Southern California admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Oregon earned the #14 position for value in teacher education this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $48,790. Set against $22,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
United States University landed the #15 spot for teacher education value this year. United States University is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,108. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $32,641 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of United States University earn a median of $120,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,641 median debt.
The Evergreen State College placed #16 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the suburb of Olympia, The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,264, compared with $31,905 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $21,850. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from The Evergreen State College generally make around $26,942. Set against $21,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Redlands came in at #17 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $59,996. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. University Of Redlands admits about 83% of applicants.
Saint Martins University earned the #18 position for value in teacher education this year. Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lacey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,510. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $22,818 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $60,864. That is a strong return on a $22,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northwest Christian University landed the #19 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the city of Eugene, Northwest Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $62,860. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Ashford University placed #20 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $34,575 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $35,426. That is a strong return on a $34,575 median debt.
George Fox University landed the #21 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,320 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $43,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Seattle University placed #22 among the best values for teacher education. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $22,289. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $72,295. Set against $22,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Pacific University landed the #23 spot for teacher education value this year. Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Forest Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,374. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $26,170. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $49,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Santa Clara University came in at #24 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $20,144. Teacher Education graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $68,067 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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Notes and References
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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
