by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
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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.
Copiah Lincoln Community College earned the #1 spot for value among education schools in Mississippi. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wesson. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.
A rank of #2 makes Itawamba Community College one of the best values for education. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Education graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at East Mississippi Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,095, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,422. Early-career education graduates make about $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holmes Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Education graduates carry a median of $6,200 in student loans. Education graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $18,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Mississippi Community College earned it the #5 place for education. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Students borrow a median of $8,803 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $18,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi University For Women came in at #7 for value in education this year. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of $36,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
Mississippi Valley State University placed #8 among the best values for education. Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Itta Bena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,692. Median earnings reach $31,919 ten years out. Mississippi Valley State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for education. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,937 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $40,926. That is a strong return on a $20,937 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Alcorn State University came in at #10 for value in education this year. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,674. Early-career education graduates make about $35,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Delta State University came in at #11 for value in education this year. Delta State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $8,605. Education graduates carry a median of $22,141 in student loans. Education graduates of Delta State University earn a median of $36,307 early in their careers. Set against $22,141 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rust College placed #12 among the best values for education. Rust College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Holly Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,265. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Rust College earn a median of $25,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
William Carey University earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Education graduates carry a median of $24,954 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $53,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Belhaven University landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,250. Typical student debt for education graduates is $34,181. Education graduates of Belhaven University earn a median of $47,106 early in their careers. Set against $34,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Mississippi State University placed #15 among the best values for education. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,411 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $43,118. Set against $17,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #16 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $38,766. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Jackson State University placed #17 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,965, with out-of-state students paying around $11,965. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,137. Education graduates of Jackson State University earn a median of $40,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,137 median debt. Jackson State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Blue Mountain College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Blue Mountain, Blue Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,180. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $37,485. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Blue Mountain College admits about 89% of applicants.
Mississippi College came in at #19 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,644. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Mississippi College generally make around $45,147. Set against $25,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants.
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.