[Teaching Assistants](/majors/education/teaching-assistants-aides/) 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 239 schools to find the best return on investment for teaching assistants students.
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Finding the Best Value Teaching Assistants School for You
Where you study teaching assistants affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Teaching Assistants Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Teaching Assistants Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Mt San Antonio College tops our 2026 list of the best value teaching assistants schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teaching assistants graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, teaching assistants degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #2 place for teaching assistants. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the teaching assistants program here. Soon after graduation, teaching assistants degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teaching assistants, landing the #3 spot this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Teaching Assistants graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Teaching Assistants graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for teaching assistants. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the teaching assistants program here. Early-career teaching assistants graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #5 place for teaching assistants. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for teaching assistants graduates is $18,876. Teaching Assistants graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #6 position for value in teaching assistants this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $12,531 to complete the teaching assistants program here. Teaching Assistants graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $43,434 early in their careers. Set against $12,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value teaching assistants schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teaching assistants graduates is $9,500. Teaching Assistants graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $23,672 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hostos Community College came in at #8 for value in teaching assistants this year. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $5,254 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Teaching Assistants graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career teaching assistants graduates make about $24,283. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value teaching assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for teaching assistants graduates is $11,246. Teaching Assistants graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #10 for value in teaching assistants this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Teaching Assistants graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #11 for value in teaching assistants this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Typical student debt for teaching assistants graduates is $17,619. Teaching Assistants graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #12 for value in teaching assistants this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete the teaching assistants program here. Soon after graduation, teaching assistants degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $21,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #13 for value in teaching assistants this year. Set in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Teaching Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching assistants degree recipients from Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $35,946. That is a strong return on a $9,687 median debt.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College came in at #14 for value in teaching assistants this year. Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Prestonsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Teaching Assistants graduates carry a median of $11,588 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching assistants degree recipients from Big Sandy Community And Technical College generally make around $33,956. That is a strong return on a $11,588 median debt.
Chaffey College came in at #15 for value in teaching assistants this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the teaching assistants program here. Early-career teaching assistants graduates make about $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Greene Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value teaching assistants schools. Set in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,048, while out-of-state students pay about $11,448. Teaching Assistants graduates carry a median of $19,168 in student loans. Teaching Assistants graduates of Columbia Greene Community College earn a median of $44,597 early in their careers. Set against $19,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
National University College Bayamon ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value teaching assistants schools. Located in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,723 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,886 for out-of-state students. Teaching Assistants graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career teaching assistants graduates make about $9,445. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College came in at #18 for value in teaching assistants this year. Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,366 to complete the teaching assistants program here. Teaching Assistants graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson Community And Technical College earned the #19 position for value in teaching assistants this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Typical student debt for teaching assistants graduates is $10,000. Teaching Assistants graduates of Jefferson Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,346 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #20 spot for teaching assistants value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for teaching assistants graduates is $11,889. Early-career teaching assistants graduates make about $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College earned the #21 position for value in teaching assistants this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Typical student debt for teaching assistants graduates is $12,868. Teaching Assistants graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt.
Leeward Community College placed #22 among the best values for teaching assistants. Located in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,214, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Teaching Assistants graduates carry a median of $10,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teaching assistants degree recipients from Leeward Community College generally make around $21,784. That is a strong return on a $10,776 median debt.
Niagara County Community College earned the #23 position for value in teaching assistants this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,756 to complete the teaching assistants program here. Early-career teaching assistants graduates make about $36,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College earned the #24 position for value in teaching assistants this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Teaching Assistants graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career teaching assistants graduates make about $23,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #25 for value in teaching assistants this year. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the teaching assistants program here. Early-career teaching assistants graduates make about $35,981. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Teaching Assistants Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s teaching assistants value ranking:
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 · 239 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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).
[Teaching Assistants](/majors/education/teaching-assistants-aides/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
