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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for teacher education students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the teacher education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Rich Mountain Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools in Arkansas. Rich Mountain Community College is a small public school located in the town of Mena. In-state tuition and fees average $3,696, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Teacher Education graduates of Rich Mountain Community College earn a median of $21,186 early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Mid South Community College one of the best values for teacher education. Located in the suburb of West Memphis, Mid South Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,126, with out-of-state students paying around $4,824. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
A rank of #3 makes Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas one of the best values for teacher education. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of De Queen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $5,190. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $7,018 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $35,035 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Arkansas Community College earned it the #4 place for teacher education. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,342, with out-of-state students paying around $5,238. Students borrow a median of $12,479 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $40,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education will find it at Arkansas Northeastern College, which ranked #5. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school located in the town of Blytheville. Students from in state pay about $2,570 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,250. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $7,944. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $23,575. Set against $7,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Black River Technical College came in at #6 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,776, with out-of-state students paying around $7,488. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $12,420 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $41,888 early in their careers. Set against $12,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Arkansas Community College earned the #7 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,324, while out-of-state students pay about $5,532. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $15,386. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $59,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Arkansas Community College earned the #8 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,380. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $8,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from East Arkansas Community College generally make around $42,134. That is a strong return on a $8,110 median debt.
Arkansas State University Beebe landed the #9 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Arkansas State University Beebe generally make around $18,025. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earned the #10 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $4,662. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $9,265 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville generally make around $64,187. That is a strong return on a $9,265 median debt.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,776. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $18,097 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Arkansas State University Mountain Home earn a median of $39,011 early in their careers. Set against $18,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Newport earned the #12 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,752. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $10,925. Teacher Education graduates of Arkansas State University Newport earn a median of $44,500 early in their careers. Set against $10,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Arkansas College placed #13 among the best values for teacher education. North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Harrison. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Students borrow a median of $10,645 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $38,948. That is a strong return on a $10,645 median debt.
National Park Community College earned the #14 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,600, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $14,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $42,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #15 spot for teacher education value this year. University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Monticello. In-state tuition and fees average $9,292, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $15,611 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $44,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pulaski Technical College earned the #16 position for value in teacher education this year. Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of North Little Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $14,849. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Pulaski Technical College generally make around $32,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock landed the #17 spot for teacher education value this year. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public school located in the city of Little Rock. Students from in state pay about $9,911 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $41,714 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock admits about 59% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $26,141. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $49,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Harding University came in at #19 for value in teacher education this year. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,639. Teacher Education graduates of Harding University earn a median of $44,416 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
John Brown University earned the #20 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,756. Students borrow a median of $25,216 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of John Brown University earn a median of $47,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. John Brown University admits about 76% of applicants.
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.