2027 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 244 schools to find the best return on investment for curriculum & instruction students.
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2027 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 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $63,281 early in their careers. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes California State University East Bay one of 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, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $18,073. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in curriculum & instruction, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. 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.
California State University San Marcos came in at #6 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University landed the #7 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $65,419. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University placed #8 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $19,349. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $60,563. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University came in at #9 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $17,020. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $49,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,020 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $64,503. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #11 for value in curriculum & instruction 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. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $58,692. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #12 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. 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. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $49,340. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #13 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #14 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. 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, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $19,677. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $54,063 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Empire State College placed #15 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $53,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Florida State University came in at #16 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. 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. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $50,839 early in their careers. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport came in at #17 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #18 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $48,079 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.
Western Governors University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,277 in student loans. 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.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #20 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $18,660. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $51,797. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #22 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $61,095. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
National Louis University placed #23 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $61,839. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #24 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $59,223. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Florida placed #25 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in curriculum & instruction:
Other Curriculum & Instruction Degree Levels
Explore the best-value curriculum & instruction schools at other degree levels:
View All Curriculum & Instruction Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 244 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 244 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.
