2026 Best Value Teacher Education Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in teacher education in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

A rank of #2 makes Western New Mexico University one of the best values for teacher education. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,425. Teacher Education graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt.

3

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $54,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

4

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #4 place for teacher education. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $65,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

5

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

A rank of #5 makes University Of Nevada Las Vegas one of the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,913 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $54,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

6

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $17,342. 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.

7

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #7 spot for teacher education value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $54,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,995 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

8

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $44,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

9

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama came in at #9 for value in teacher education this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $53,005. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

10

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University came in at #10 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $25,886. Teacher Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $43,110 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

11

The University Of Tennessee Martin
Martin, TN

The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #11 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,434. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #12 for value in teacher education this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

13

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University landed the #13 spot for teacher education value this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,725 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $42,861. That is a strong return on a $26,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

14

New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey City University landed the #14 spot for teacher education value this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $22,107. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $62,079. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

15

Heritage University
Toppenish, WA

Heritage University earned the #15 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the rural area of Toppenish, Heritage University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,928. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $20,049. Teacher Education graduates of Heritage University earn a median of $67,426 early in their careers. Set against $20,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

National University College Bayamon
Bayamon, PR

National University College Bayamon earned the #16 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,723, with out-of-state students paying around $13,886. Students borrow a median of $14,583 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from National University College Bayamon generally make around $29,130. Set against $14,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University landed the #17 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $62,589. Set against $22,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

18

Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University earned the #18 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $25,000. Teacher Education graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $33,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.

19

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $45,211 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

20

Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Holy Family University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $35,330 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $59,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.

21

Christian Brothers University
Memphis, TN

Christian Brothers University earned the #21 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,420. Students borrow a median of $32,416 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $51,040 early in their careers. Set against $32,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

22

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University landed the #22 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $29,854 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. Set against $29,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

23

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine landed the #23 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $23,593. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,549. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

24

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #24 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $22,517 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $50,277. That is a strong return on a $22,517 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.

25

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $23,375. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $48,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.