2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in New York
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value teacher education schools.
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2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in teacher education in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Canisius College earned it the #2 place for teacher education. Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $34,200. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Canisius College generally make around $61,512. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Niagara University earned it the #3 place for teacher education. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,026 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. Set against $26,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $22,232. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
A rank of #5 makes Utica College one of the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,930 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 Utica College generally make around $47,021. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Molloy College placed #6 among the best values for teacher education. Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. In-state tuition and fees average $39,790. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $47,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
St Johns University New York landed the #7 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,529 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $56,340. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Rochester came in at #8 for value in teacher education this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
New York University came in at #9 for value in teacher education this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $19,455. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from New York University generally make around $54,901. Set against $19,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Hofstra University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,660. Students borrow a median of $25,359 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $39,556. That is a strong return on a $25,359 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Marist College came in at #11 for value in teacher education this year. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,620. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Marist College earn a median of $60,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
