2026 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in the Southeast Region
[Reading Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/reading-teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong reading teacher education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 82 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value reading teacher education schools.
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2026 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in reading teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in reading teacher education in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $15,275. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,476 early in their careers. Set against $15,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for reading teacher education. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $27,516. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $53,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #3 place for reading teacher education. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $20,375. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $51,543. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Students looking for strong value in reading teacher education will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,802 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $44,809. That is a strong return on a $18,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Students looking for strong value in reading teacher education will find it at Florida Gulf Coast University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $20,015. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #6 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,088 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $38,466. Set against $21,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Murray State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $47,734. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida came in at #8 for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #9 spot for reading teacher education value this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $26,660. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $45,285. Set against $26,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Marshall University landed the #10 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $47,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #11 among the best values for reading teacher education. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $23,038 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $50,715. That is a strong return on a $23,038 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for reading teacher 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. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #13 among the best values for reading teacher education. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $61,081. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #14 for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $45,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Arkansas Tech University placed #15 among the best values for reading teacher education. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $41,160. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
West Virginia University landed the #16 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $25,242 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $40,152 early in their careers. Set against $25,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Western Kentucky University landed the #17 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $30,375 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $39,727. That is a strong return on a $30,375 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #18 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $22,754. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Augusta University earned the #19 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,969 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $54,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $25,134 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $45,716. Set against $25,134 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #21 spot for reading teacher education value this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Old Dominion University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $44,883. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #23 for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $27,174. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $49,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana placed #24 among the best values for reading teacher education. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. Students borrow a median of $27,962 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $42,684 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Georgetown College landed the #25 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Set in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,840. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Georgetown College earn a median of $42,223 early in their careers. Set against $26,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgetown College admits about 91% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in reading teacher education:
Narrow Reading Teacher Education Schools by State
More Reading Teacher Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
