2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in Texas
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools to find the best return on investment for teacher education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the teacher education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Texas A And M International University tops our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools in Texas. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #2 spot this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $12,500. Teacher Education graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $25,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #3 spot this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Palo Alto College one of the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,430 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $19,141. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
San Antonio College earned the #6 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $10,375. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $21,184. Set against $10,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District came in at #7 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $24,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned the #8 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $10,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College came in at #10 for value in teacher education this year. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College came in at #11 for value in teacher education this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $11,598. Teacher Education graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College placed #12 among the best values for teacher education. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paris Junior College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $8,846. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $38,811. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vernon College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,720, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $12,513 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College came in at #15 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Lee College landed the #16 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $10,941. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $53,448. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #17 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $11,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $19,581. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Panola College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,072.
Northeast Texas Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Northeast Texas Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mount Pleasant. In-state tuition and fees average $2,980, with out-of-state students paying around $5,620. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $15,089. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Northeast Texas Community College generally make around $37,839. That is a strong return on a $15,089 median debt.
Angelina College landed the #20 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,430, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $7,828. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $50,767. Set against $7,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College placed #21 among the best values for teacher education. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $11,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $43,348. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $20,959. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Sul Ross State University came in at #24 for value in teacher education this year. Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpine. In-state tuition and fees average $7,592, compared with $17,672 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,951 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Sul Ross State University earn a median of $44,296 early in their careers. Set against $18,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University landed the #25 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $46,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Teacher Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s teacher education value ranking:
More Teacher Education Rankings
View All Teacher Education Rankings >
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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
