by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 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 Capital Community College this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,059. Education graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $29,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Charter Oak State College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,506. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,584. Early-career education graduates make about $62,864. That is a strong return on a $23,584 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Central Connecticut State University one of the best values for education. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,478. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $61,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Western Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,401, compared with $16,901 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $26,283 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $39,803. Set against $26,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Connecticut State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Southern Connecticut State University, which ranked #5. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Education graduates carry a median of $25,264 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $49,798. That is a strong return on a $25,264 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Education graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Eastern Connecticut State University landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,928 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $28,758. Education graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $48,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Connecticut came in at #8 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Students borrow a median of $25,010 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $28,249. That is a strong return on a $25,010 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Post University came in at #9 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,922. Typical student debt for education graduates is $35,364. Education graduates of Post University earn a median of $59,783 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Bridgeport landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,760. Typical student debt for education graduates is $28,601. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Bridgeport generally make around $60,352. Set against $28,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Joseph College earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,278. Education graduates carry a median of $27,798 in student loans. Education graduates of Saint Joseph College earn a median of $56,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Joseph College admits about 79% of applicants.
Wesleyan University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,042 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,125. Early-career education graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Goodwin College came in at #13 for value in education this year. Goodwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of East Hartford. In-state tuition and fees average $21,188. Typical student debt for education graduates is $35,611. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Goodwin College generally make around $52,724. Set against $35,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Hartford ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Students borrow a median of $20,874 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $55,986. Set against $20,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Mitchell College earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of New London, Mitchell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,490. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,500. Early-career education graduates make about $28,355. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Quinnipiac University landed the #16 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,926. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $56,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Sacred Heart University earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. In-state tuition and fees average $50,404. Education graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Sacred Heart University generally make around $93,677. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Fairfield University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,400. Education graduates carry a median of $26,687 in student loans. Education graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of $48,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,687 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.