[Teacher Assistant/Aide](/majors/education/teaching-assistants-aides/teacher-assistant-aide/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 220 schools to find the best return on investment for teacher assistant/aide students.
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Finding the Best Value Teacher Assistant/Aide School for You
Where you study teacher assistant/aide affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Teacher Assistant/Aide Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Teacher Assistant/Aide Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Leading the list is Mt San Antonio College, our #1 best value for teacher assistant/aide in the United States. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the teacher assistant/aide program here. Early-career teacher assistant/aide graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for teacher assistant/aide. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the teacher assistant/aide program here. Early-career teacher assistant/aide graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ventura College earned it the #3 place for teacher assistant/aide. 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. Typical student debt for teacher assistant/aide graduates is $20,250. Teacher Assistant/aide graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Ana College earned it the #4 place for teacher assistant/aide. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. 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 teacher assistant/aide program here. Soon after graduation, teacher assistant/aide degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in teacher assistant/aide will find it at Henry Ford Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for teacher assistant/aide graduates is $18,876. Teacher Assistant/aide 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 teacher assistant/aide this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher assistant/aide graduates is $12,531. Teacher Assistant/aide graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $43,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #7 spot for teacher assistant/aide value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Teacher Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Teacher Assistant/aide 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 earned the #8 position for value in teacher assistant/aide 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. Typical student debt for teacher assistant/aide graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, teacher assistant/aide degree recipients from Cuny Hostos Community College generally make around $24,283. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #9 spot for teacher assistant/aide value this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Teacher Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career teacher assistant/aide graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher assistant/aide schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the teacher assistant/aide program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College earned the #11 position for value in teacher assistant/aide this year. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,516, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the teacher assistant/aide program here. Teacher Assistant/aide graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #12 position for value in teacher assistant/aide this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Typical student debt for teacher assistant/aide graduates is $8,380. Teacher Assistant/aide graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $21,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,380 median debt.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #13 for value in teacher assistant/aide this year. Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cumberland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,687 to complete the teacher assistant/aide program here. Soon after graduation, teacher assistant/aide 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 earned the #14 position for value in teacher assistant/aide this year. Set in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,588 to complete the teacher assistant/aide program here. Soon after graduation, teacher assistant/aide degree recipients from Big Sandy Community And Technical College generally make around $33,956. Set against $11,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College landed the #15 spot for teacher assistant/aide value this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Teacher Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher assistant/aide degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Columbia Greene Community College landed the #16 spot for teacher assistant/aide value this year. Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hudson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,048, while out-of-state students pay about $11,448. Students borrow a median of $19,168 to complete the teacher assistant/aide program here. Soon after graduation, teacher assistant/aide degree recipients from Columbia Greene Community College generally make around $44,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
National University College Bayamon earned the #17 position for value in teacher assistant/aide this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,723, while out-of-state students pay about $13,886. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the teacher assistant/aide program here. Early-career teacher assistant/aide graduates make about $9,445. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College placed #18 among the best values for teacher assistant/aide. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Students borrow a median of $13,366 to complete the teacher assistant/aide program here. Soon after graduation, teacher assistant/aide degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $44,431. That is a strong return on a $13,366 median debt.
Jefferson Community And Technical College earned the #19 position for value in teacher assistant/aide this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the teacher assistant/aide program here. Teacher Assistant/aide 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 ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher assistant/aide schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Teacher Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Early-career teacher assistant/aide graduates make about $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher assistant/aide schools. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Typical student debt for teacher assistant/aide graduates is $12,868. Soon after graduation, teacher assistant/aide degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt.
Niagara County Community College landed the #22 spot for teacher assistant/aide value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Typical student debt for teacher assistant/aide graduates is $8,756. Soon after graduation, teacher assistant/aide degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. That is a strong return on a $8,756 median debt.
Leeward Community College landed the #23 spot for teacher assistant/aide value this year. Located in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,214, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Teacher Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $10,776 in student loans. Early-career teacher assistant/aide graduates make about $21,784. Set against $10,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher assistant/aide schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the teacher assistant/aide program here. Teacher Assistant/aide graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $23,117 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #25 for value in teacher assistant/aide this year. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Teacher Assistant/aide graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Early-career teacher assistant/aide graduates make about $35,981. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Teacher Assistant/Aide Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in teacher assistant/aide:
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 · 220 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).
[Teacher Assistant/Aide](/majors/education/teaching-assistants-aides/teacher-assistant-aide/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
