by our College Data Analytics Team
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Western Iowa Tech Community College, our #1 best value for education in Iowa. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $35,742. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Iowa Central Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshalltown Community College earned it the #3 place for education. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,577. Education graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $45,382 early in their careers. Set against $11,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Hawkeye Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,001. Education graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Education graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Education graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College placed #6 among the best values for education. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,390. Education graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington came in at #9 for value in education this year. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Students borrow a median of $16,126 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $45,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ellsworth Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Ellsworth Community College is a small public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,062. Early-career education graduates make about $40,503. That is a strong return on a $17,062 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Education graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Education graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #12 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,995. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Education graduates carry a median of $26,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $52,064. That is a strong return on a $26,008 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University placed #14 among the best values for education. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,717 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $46,781. That is a strong return on a $19,717 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Coe College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,666. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Coe College generally make around $44,511. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Coe College admits about 64% of applicants.
Buena Vista University earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,798. Typical student debt for education graduates is $30,561. Early-career education graduates make about $43,994. Set against $30,561 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Graceland University Lamoni placed #17 among the best values for education. Located in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,848. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Education graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $36,563 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Graceland University Lamoni admits about 81% of applicants.
Waldorf College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,978. Education graduates carry a median of $24,622 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Waldorf College generally make around $63,346. Set against $24,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mercy University came in at #19 for value in education this year. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $40,878 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,687 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $43,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Grand View University placed #20 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $46,547 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Loras College came in at #21 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,824. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $40,391. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,239. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $47,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University landed the #23 spot for education value this year. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Students borrow a median of $29,457 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $49,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Simpson College earned the #24 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $44,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Luther College came in at #25 for value in education this year. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $45,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Luther College admits about 72% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
This ranking is produced 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.