2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in Kentucky
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value teacher education schools.
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2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Murray State University the best value for a degree in teacher education in Kentucky. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $22,324 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $40,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Kentucky University earned it the #2 place for teacher education. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Teacher Education graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $40,114 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,725 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #3 place for teacher education. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, 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 $41,250 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Georgetown College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,840. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Georgetown College earn a median of $43,752 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgetown College admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education will find it at University Of Kentucky, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $23,250. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $49,568. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Students borrow a median of $23,584 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $47,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,584 median debt. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Campbellsville University landed the #7 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,998. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $43,474. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Asbury University earned the #8 position for value in teacher education this year. Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wilmore. In-state tuition and fees average $33,640. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Asbury University generally make around $39,215. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
