2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/curriculum-and-instruction/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 494 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for curriculum & instruction students.
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Finding the Best Value Curriculum & Instruction School for You
The curriculum & instruction program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Curriculum & Instruction 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.
See how we build our rankings
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools list, to help you choose. 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.
Learn more about our methodology
2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in curriculum & instruction, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $65,893. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #3 place for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $81,909. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $63,281. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #5 place for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $14,694. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $59,119 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University came in at #6 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $65,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Marcos came in at #7 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Florida International University landed the #8 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $60,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #9 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $58,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
California State University East Bay placed #10 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Western Governors University placed #11 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,277. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $62,910. That is a strong return on a $23,277 median debt.
Suny Empire State College earned the #12 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $53,832. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #13 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $20,212. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $51,797 early in their careers. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #15 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $58,763. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #16 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $50,839. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #17 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #18 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $50,955. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #19 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $47,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida placed #20 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $54,063. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $21,829. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $61,900 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Texas Womans University came in at #22 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,211. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $54,611. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #23 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,312. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $59,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Louisiana State University Shreveport landed the #24 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,327. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
Utah State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $16,191. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $96,401. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in curriculum & instruction:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 494 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 169 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.
