2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in Pennsylvania

[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 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value teacher education schools.
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2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Leading the list is Delaware County Community College, our #1 best value for teacher education in Pennsylvania. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $13,340. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $25,854. That is a strong return on a $13,340 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education will find it at Community College Of Beaver County, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,700. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $14,324 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $49,354. Set against $14,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Holy Family University one of the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $53,228. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Community College Of Philadelphia one of the best values for teacher education. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $28,805 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earned it the #5 place for teacher education. Set in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,268, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Geneva College came in at #6 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the suburb of Beaver Falls, Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,450. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Geneva College generally make around $33,818. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt.
Cedar Crest College landed the #7 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,314. Students borrow a median of $30,759 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $67,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hill University placed #8 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,944. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $27,056. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earned the #9 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.
Gannon University placed #10 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $26,934. Teacher Education graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $44,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks admits about 99% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona landed the #12 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Arcadia University landed the #13 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,610 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Arcadia University generally make around $54,496. That is a strong return on a $26,921 median debt. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
Gwynedd Mercy College earned the #14 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,838. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Gwynedd Mercy College earn a median of $49,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gwynedd Mercy College admits about 90% of applicants.
Delaware Valley College earned the #15 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the suburb of Doylestown, Delaware Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,278 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Delaware Valley College generally make around $40,012. That is a strong return on a $26,278 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Juniata College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the town of Huntingdon, Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,580. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Juniata College generally make around $30,552. That is a strong return on a $26,976 median debt. Juniata College admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #17 position for value in teacher education this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $36,248 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Desales University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,800 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 $46,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for teacher education. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.