2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Master’s Degree Schools
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 494 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for curriculum & instruction students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the curriculum & instruction degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among curriculum & instruction schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,323 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Texas A And M International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $63,281. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes California State University San Marcos one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $17,527. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
Utah Valley University landed the #6 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $16,478. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $65,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Florida International University came in at #7 for value in curriculum & instruction 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, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $60,563. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #8 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $58,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay earned the #9 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Western Governors University placed #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Students borrow a median of $23,277 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $62,910. Set against $23,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Empire State College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $53,832. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $20,212. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #13 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $20,015. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $58,763 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #14 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $18,660. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Florida State University came in at #15 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $20,488. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $50,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #16 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $17,024. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #18 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $47,042. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #19 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. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $48,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Texas Womans University placed #20 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,611 early in their careers. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #21 spot for curriculum & instruction value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,312. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $59,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of West Florida landed the #22 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $54,063. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Louisiana State University Shreveport earned the #23 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $45,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $19,844. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $57,521. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Utah State University came in at #25 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. 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, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $16,191. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $96,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for curriculum & instruction this year:
Other Curriculum & Instruction Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Curriculum & Instruction rankings across degree levels:
View All Curriculum & Instruction Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 494 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 159 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.
