by our College Data Analytics Team
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong teacher education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 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.
North Central Missouri College earned the #1 spot for value among teacher education schools in Missouri. Located in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Students borrow a median of $16,685 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $40,934. That is a strong return on a $16,685 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $21,850. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $36,345. Set against $21,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri St Louis earned it the #3 place for teacher education. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $23,375. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $42,019. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Central Missouri is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $24,199. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $38,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #5 makes Missouri Western State University one of the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $21,352 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $33,695 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Park University came in at #6 for value in teacher education this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $25,732. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $36,667. That is a strong return on a $25,732 median debt.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #7 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,907. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Lindenwood University came in at #8 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,600 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 Lindenwood University generally make around $39,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Stephens College placed #9 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,300. Students borrow a median of $33,326 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $55,458. That is a strong return on a $33,326 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Baptist University landed the #10 spot for teacher education value this year. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $33,122 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Webster University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $25,939. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $57,152. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Webster University admits about 86% 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.