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 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
University Of North Alabama tops our 2027 list of the best value education schools in Alabama. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $48,082. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of West Alabama came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $58,139. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Bishop State Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,340, compared with $9,210 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $13,712 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $35,475. Set against $13,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Auburn University At Montgomery came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,700, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $47,000. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Jacksonville State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Students borrow a median of $24,576 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $53,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Troy University landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,000. Education graduates of Troy University earn a median of $50,256 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Stillman College came in at #7 for value in education this year. Stillman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. In-state tuition and fees average $12,126. Median earnings reach $35,421 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 62%.
University Of South Alabama earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,880 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $41,936. That is a strong return on a $26,880 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Alabama A And M University landed the #9 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Students borrow a median of $27,594 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $56,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #10 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Education graduates carry a median of $25,341 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $43,817 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,341 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Montevallo came in at #11 for value in education this year. University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Montevallo. Students from in state pay about $13,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,968. Education graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Montevallo generally make around $45,368. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,132 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $54,661. Set against $24,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Spring Hill College came in at #13 for value in education this year. Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,500. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Alabama State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,248, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Students borrow a median of $49,938 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Alabama State University earn a median of $46,178 early in their careers. Set against $49,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alabama State University admits about 98% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama landed the #15 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Education graduates carry a median of $25,352 in student loans. Education graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $47,165 early in their careers. Set against $25,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Huntingdon College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Montgomery, Huntingdon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,070. Education graduates carry a median of $28,252 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $33,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University placed #17 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,243. Education graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $57,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Samford University earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. In-state tuition and fees average $40,150. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,250. Education graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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.