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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Granite State College the best value for a degree in education in New Hampshire. Set in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,724, compared with $9,284 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $26,770 in student loans. Education graduates of Granite State College earn a median of $52,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,770 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at White Mountains Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Berlin, White Mountains Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,300. Education graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from White Mountains Community College generally make around $60,162. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Keene State College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $25,679 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $42,178. That is a strong return on a $25,679 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Great Bay Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Portsmouth, Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. Students borrow a median of $17,639 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Great Bay Community College generally make around $48,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nhti Concords Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Nhti Concords Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Concord. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,317. Early-career education graduates make about $50,550. That is a strong return on a $13,317 median debt.
Plymouth State University placed #6 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $44,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Nashua Community College placed #7 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Nashua, Nashua Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,140, with out-of-state students paying around $15,390. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,608. Education graduates of Nashua Community College earn a median of $24,074 early in their careers. Set against $10,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #8 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,368. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $50,606. Set against $26,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
New England College came in at #9 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,474. Education graduates carry a median of $35,038 in student loans. Education graduates of New England College earn a median of $92,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New England College admits about 92% of applicants.
Colby Sawyer College earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of New London, Colby Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,125. Students borrow a median of $26,832 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Colby Sawyer College earn a median of $54,655 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,832 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rivier College landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Nashua, Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,488. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Rivier College generally make around $43,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Anselm College landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Saint Anselm College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,920. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $40,836. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Saint Anselm College admits about 78% of applicants.
Southern New Hampshire University earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,200. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,880. Education graduates of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $47,843 early in their careers. Set against $26,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.