[Other Education](/majors/education/other-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 89 schools to find the best return on investment for other education students.
Finding the Best Value Other Education School for You
The right other education school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Other Education 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 Other Education Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Leading the list is Foothill College, our #1 best value for other education in the United States. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the other education program here. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes California State Polytechnic University Pomona one of the best values for other education. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $12,200 to complete the other education program here. Early-career other education graduates make about $31,250. Set against $12,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Petersburg College earned it the #3 place for other education. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $30,870. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $35,491. That is a strong return on a $30,870 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hillsborough Community College earned it the #4 place for other education. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Other Education graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Rhode Island College one of the best values for other education. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Students borrow a median of $23,394 to complete the other education program here. Other Education graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $57,316 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Sonoma State University earned the #6 position for value in other education this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, compared with $21,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $17,305. Other Education graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $31,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Channel Islands landed the #7 spot for other education value this year. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $14,000. Early-career other education graduates make about $34,646. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Saint Johns River State College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value other education schools. Set in the town of Palatka, Saint Johns River State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,591, with out-of-state students paying around $9,334. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $16,293. Other Education graduates of Saint Johns River State College earn a median of $47,807 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #9 for value in other education this year. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Other Education graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value other education schools. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the other education program here. Other Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,256 early in their careers. Set against $24,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
Polk State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value other education schools. Set in the city of Winter Haven, Polk State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,694, while out-of-state students pay about $9,818. Other Education graduates carry a median of $14,806 in student loans. Early-career other education graduates make about $49,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of West Georgia came in at #12 for value in other education this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Other Education graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Early-career other education graduates make about $96,760. Set against $26,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of West Alabama came in at #13 for value in other education this year. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the other education program here. Other Education graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $53,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Andrews University placed #14 among the best values for other education. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Columbus State University landed the #15 spot for other education value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Students borrow a median of $28,493 to complete the other education program here. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $105,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Berkeley City College placed #16 among the best values for other education. Set in the city of Berkeley, Berkeley City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,898. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,217.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #17 among the best values for other education. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Other Education graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Arizona State University placed #18 among the best values for other education. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Other Education graduates carry a median of $25,367 in student loans. Other Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $37,535 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #19 spot for other education value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $20,542. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Mary Baldwin College placed #20 among the best values for other education. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,187. Other Education graduates carry a median of $29,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $57,479. That is a strong return on a $29,562 median debt.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #21 position for value in other education this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Other Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career other education graduates make about $32,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value other education schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for other education graduates is $19,625. Other Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $46,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,625 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value other education schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Other Education graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career other education graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Valencia College landed the #24 spot for other education value this year. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Other Education graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Other Education graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $42,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value other education schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mercedita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Students borrow a median of $7,869 to complete the other education program here. Soon after graduation, other education degree recipients from Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Ponce generally make around $17,850. That is a strong return on a $7,869 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Other Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in other education:
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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 89 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).
[Other Education](/majors/education/other-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
