by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
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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 Mt Hood Community College this year. Mt Hood Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gresham. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $9,819. Students borrow a median of $18,767 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $53,948. That is a strong return on a $18,767 median debt.
Treasure Valley Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Ontario, Treasure Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,345 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,795 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Treasure Valley Community College earn a median of $47,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Klamath Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Klamath Falls, Klamath Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,965, with out-of-state students paying around $8,025. Students borrow a median of $14,644 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Klamath Community College earn a median of $24,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,644 median debt.
Portland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,648 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Portland Community College earn a median of $49,580 early in their careers. Set against $20,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chemeketa Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,345 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,040. Students borrow a median of $24,087 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $32,829. That is a strong return on a $24,087 median debt.
Rogue Community College earned the #6 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Grants Pass, Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $15,248 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $51,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia Gorge Community College landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Columbia Gorge Community College is a small public school located in the town of The Dalles. In-state tuition and fees average $5,940, with out-of-state students paying around $10,260. Students borrow a median of $17,416 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $78,167. That is a strong return on a $17,416 median debt.
Central Oregon Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,246. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,250. 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.
Linn Benton Community College landed the #9 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Albany, Linn Benton Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,317, with out-of-state students paying around $16,736. Students borrow a median of $17,959 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $43,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland State University earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $48,533. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Blue Mountain Community College landed the #11 spot for education value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,754. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,615 median debt.
Eastern Oregon University placed #12 among the best values for education. Set in the town of La Grande, Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,729 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,994 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Eastern Oregon University earn a median of $48,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Southern Oregon University placed #13 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,887. Education graduates carry a median of $28,906 in student loans. Education graduates of Southern Oregon University earn a median of $47,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,906 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Western Oregon University placed #14 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,514, with out-of-state students paying around $32,169. Education graduates carry a median of $25,433 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $57,277. That is a strong return on a $25,433 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Oregon State University placed #15 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,043. Early-career education graduates make about $50,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon landed the #16 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Education graduates carry a median of $20,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $50,079. Set against $20,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Christian University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Northwest Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Eugene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,800. Education graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Education graduates of Northwest Christian University earn a median of $55,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Corban University earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Salem, Corban University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,963 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,528 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $43,558. Set against $26,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Linfield College earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of McMinnville, Linfield College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,736 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $43,862. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
George Fox University earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,320. Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Education graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $52,774 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pacific University landed the #21 spot for education value this year. 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. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $50,705. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pacific University admits about 90% of applicants.
Lewis And Clark College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,828. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,301. Education graduates of Lewis And Clark College earn a median of $52,285 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis And Clark College admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Portland placed #23 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Education graduates of University Of Portland earn a median of $44,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.