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.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
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 Middlesex County College this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Education graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $16,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Education graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $21,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #3 place for education. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Education graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Education graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $23,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at County College Of Morris, which ranked #5. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,420. Education graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,594, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $37,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,581. Education graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $28,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,581 median debt.
Brookdale Community College earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $19,157 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salem Community College came in at #9 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Carneys Point, Salem Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,360, compared with $10,260 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $17,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Salem Community College generally make around $51,781. Set against $17,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Peters College earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,627. Education graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $63,263 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Kean University earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $28,930 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $51,076. Set against $28,930 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Montclair State University earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $61,723. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $24,770 in student loans. Education graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $60,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Gloucester County College earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $10,987 in student loans. Education graduates of Gloucester County College earn a median of $38,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Jersey City University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $67,263. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #16 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,014 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $64,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,014 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #17 position for value in education this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Typical student debt for education graduates is $30,244. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $60,592. That is a strong return on a $30,244 median debt. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,577. Early-career education graduates make about $61,146. Set against $24,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Georgian Court University earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,110. Education graduates carry a median of $24,752 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $76,814. That is a strong return on a $24,752 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Centenary College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hackettstown. Students from in state pay about $37,732 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Centenary College generally make around $64,254. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Rowan University placed #21 among the best values for education. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $59,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Education graduates carry a median of $39,000 in student loans. Education graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $61,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham came in at #23 for value in education this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,468. Students borrow a median of $24,701 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $60,843. Set against $24,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham admits about 95% of applicants.
Drew University came in at #24 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,100. Education graduates carry a median of $26,449 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Drew University generally make around $63,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drew University admits about 68% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #25 among the best values for education. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,120. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $61,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
