by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Mt Hood Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value education schools in Oregon. Set in the suburb of Gresham, Mt Hood Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $9,819. Typical student debt for education graduates is $18,767. Early-career education graduates make about $53,948. That is a strong return on a $18,767 median debt.
Klamath Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Klamath Falls, Klamath Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,965, compared with $8,025 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,644 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $24,370. That is a strong return on a $14,644 median debt.
Chemeketa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,345, with out-of-state students paying around $14,040. Students borrow a median of $24,087 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Chemeketa Community College earn a median of $32,829 early in their careers. Set against $24,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Portland State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Education graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $48,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Portland Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $20,648 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Portland Community College generally make around $49,580. Set against $20,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Gorge Community College earned the #6 position for value in education this year. Columbia Gorge Community College is a small public school located in the town of The Dalles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940, while out-of-state students pay about $10,260. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,416. Early-career education graduates make about $78,167. That is a strong return on a $17,416 median debt.
Treasure Valley Community College placed #7 among the best values for education. Treasure Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ontario. In-state tuition and fees average $6,345, compared with $6,795 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $47,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Oregon Community College earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Central Oregon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bend. Students from in state pay about $5,683 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,246 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Central Oregon Community College earn a median of $52,183 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt.
Southern Oregon University earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,762, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $28,906. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Southern Oregon University generally make around $47,728. Set against $28,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Blue Mountain Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Blue Mountain Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pendleton. Students from in state pay about $7,076 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,754 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,615 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Blue Mountain Community College generally make around $25,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Oregon University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of La Grande. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,184, while out-of-state students pay about $24,729. Students borrow a median of $26,994 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Eastern Oregon University earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Set against $26,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Western Oregon University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,514, while out-of-state students pay about $32,169. Education graduates carry a median of $25,433 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Western Oregon University generally make around $56,290. Set against $25,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Oregon University admits about 98% of applicants.
Oregon State University landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Education graduates carry a median of $24,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $50,295. Set against $24,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Oregon earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical student debt for education graduates is $20,096. Early-career education graduates make about $49,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Linfield College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Linfield College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of McMinnville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,736. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Linfield College generally make around $43,862. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Linfield College admits about 85% of applicants.
Corban University landed the #16 spot for education value this year. Corban University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,963. Students borrow a median of $26,528 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $43,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Portland earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $44,152. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Portland admits about 89% of applicants.
George Fox University came in at #18 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,320. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,000. Education graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $54,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. George Fox University admits about 94% of applicants.
Pacific University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Forest Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,374. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Pacific University generally make around $50,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lewis And Clark College came in at #20 for value in education this year. Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $64,828. Students borrow a median of $23,301 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lewis And Clark College generally make around $52,109. Set against $23,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.