by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 63 schools to find the best return on investment for curriculum & instruction students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in curriculum & instruction, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Peru State College, our #1 best value for curriculum & instruction in the The Plains States Region. Peru State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Peru. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $53,549. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Chadron State College one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $60,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,912 median debt.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in curriculum & instruction, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,741. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $52,217 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Wichita State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $51,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Wayne State College one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $22,974. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $53,346. That is a strong return on a $22,974 median debt.
Emporia State University came in at #6 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $53,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $22,173. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $54,750 early in their careers. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #8 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,585. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $46,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #9 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $62,695. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,608. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $55,595. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $51,473. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Northern State University came in at #12 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $51,127. Set against $26,143 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #13 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $54,835. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #14 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,447. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $57,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University came in at #15 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,200. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $29,750. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Avila University earn a median of $51,234 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University earned the #16 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Buena Vista University earned the #17 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $41,798. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $29,317. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
Lindenwood University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $83,131. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University placed #19 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Capella University earn a median of $67,984 early in their careers. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Dakota earned the #20 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Evangel University came in at #21 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,548 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,876 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $42,039. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #22 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $54,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Jamestown College placed #23 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,990. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $56,836. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jamestown College admits about 88% of applicants.
St Catherine University earned the #24 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $29,883 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $60,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,883 median debt. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
William Woods University landed the #25 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the town of Fulton, William Woods University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,340. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $25,512. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $39,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
These schools also delivered strong value for curriculum & instruction this year:
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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.