by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 302 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in education, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Education graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Oxnard College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,000. Education graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $48,657 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Saddleback College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #4 spot this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Education graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,331. Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $47,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Mt San Antonio College placed #6 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for education graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College landed the #8 spot for education value this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Education graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #9 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College placed #10 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $21,500. Early-career education graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,288. Early-career education graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Santa Ana College landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Santa Monica College placed #15 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
California State University Fullerton placed #16 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Education graduates carry a median of $14,945 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $57,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Norco College earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology placed #18 among the best values for education. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $33,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Ventura College came in at #19 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $20,250. Education graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Renton Technical College came in at #20 for value in education this year. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,566. Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $71,044 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #22 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Education graduates carry a median of $13,805 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $30,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Citrus College placed #23 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Bates Technical College earned the #24 position for value in education this year. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
Riverside City College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
This ranking is produced 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 · 302 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.