by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value education schools in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,821 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $68,002. Set against $11,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,901. Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $61,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Education graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $65,726. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #4 place for education. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $66,193 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Education graduates carry a median of $9,916 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $72,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #6 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $87,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $11,492 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $49,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cuny Medgar Evers College earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $5,500. Education graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $49,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #9 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,854. Early-career education graduates make about $60,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $49,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,500. Education graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $23,672 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Hostos Community College earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $24,283 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #15 among the best values for education. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Education graduates carry a median of $8,380 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $21,589. That is a strong return on a $8,380 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College came in at #16 for value in education this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $31,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $31,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Education graduates carry a median of $23,808 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $60,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara County Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Education graduates carry a median of $8,756 in student loans. Education graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. Set against $8,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Empire State College earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $21,422. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $62,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College placed #21 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Education graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercy College landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Typical student debt for education graduates is $28,304. Education graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $70,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,805. Early-career education graduates make about $42,929. Set against $24,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Potsdam placed #24 among the best values for education. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $46,407. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
Monroe College Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $18,464 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $21,450. Early-career education graduates make about $58,194. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Monroe College Main Campus admits about 68% of applicants.
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 · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 100 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.