2027 Best Value Earth Science Teacher Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Earth Science Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/earth-science-teacher-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for earth science teacher education students.
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2027 Best Value Earth Science Teacher Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the earth science teacher education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Earth Science Teacher Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Saint Cloud State University the best value for a degree in earth science teacher education in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Students borrow a median of $30,795 to complete the earth science teacher education program here. Early-career earth science teacher education graduates make about $43,279. That is a strong return on a $30,795 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in earth science teacher education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for earth science teacher education graduates is $25,485. Soon after graduation, earth science teacher education degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $46,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Emporia State University earned it the #3 place for earth science teacher education. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Earth Science Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Earth Science Teacher Education graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $46,440 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Winona State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value earth science teacher education schools. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Typical student debt for earth science teacher education graduates is $26,762. Early-career earth science teacher education graduates make about $53,109. Set against $26,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in earth science teacher education will find it at Minnesota State University Moorhead, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the earth science teacher education program here. Earth Science Teacher Education graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $44,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value earth science teacher education schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,082 to complete the earth science teacher education program here. Earth Science Teacher Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.