by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 188 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for education in the Far Western Region. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #2 place for education. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Education graduates carry a median of $12,566 in student loans. Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $74,565 early in their careers. Set against $12,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #3. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,331 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $49,672 early in their careers. Set against $12,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at California State University Bakersfield, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College placed #8 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, 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.
West Valley College came in at #10 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Education graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for education graduates is $5,707. Education graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College placed #13 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Education graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
California State University Northridge earned the #14 position for value in education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $74,082 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,805. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $30,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Education graduates carry a median of $14,945 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $56,782. Set against $14,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Modesto Junior College came in at #17 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Education graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College placed #18 among the best values for education. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Education graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Education graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology came in at #20 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College earned the #21 position for value in education this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Imperial Valley College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College Fresno ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students.
California State University Fresno placed #24 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $35,424 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Leeward Community College came in at #25 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,874 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Leeward Community College generally make around $21,784. Set against $11,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 188 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 188 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.