2027 Best Value Science Education Master’s Degree Schools
[Science Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 122 schools to find the best return on investment for science education students.
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2027 Best Value Science Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in science education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Science Education Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among science education schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $73,962 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for science education. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $13,178. Early-career science education graduates make about $76,095. Set against $13,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $75,530. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in science education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $13,389. Early-career science education graduates make about $73,336. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for science education. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $80,081. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida landed the #6 spot for science education value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,275 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $55,380 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,275 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay earned the #7 position for value in science education this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Long Beach landed the #8 spot for science education value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $51,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #9 position for value in science education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Science Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $70,171 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology landed the #10 spot for science education value this year. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public school located in the town of Socorro. Students from in state pay about $9,476 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Students borrow a median of $18,747 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $64,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,747 median debt. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #11 spot for science education value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Science Education graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $55,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #12 for value in science education this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
San Jose State University came in at #13 for value in science education this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Fresno Pacific University earned the #14 position for value in science education this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Science Education graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $60,890. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Western Governors University landed the #15 spot for science education value this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,145 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $58,818 early in their careers. Set against $25,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rhode Island College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Science Education graduates carry a median of $29,659 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $57,458. Set against $29,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Georgia earned the #17 position for value in science education this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $56,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University came in at #18 for value in science education this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $23,009 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,009 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #19 for value in science education this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $53,042. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Mercy College placed #20 among the best values for science education. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $28,304. Science Education graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $72,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Science Education graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $59,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,695 median debt. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #22 spot for science education value this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,550 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $50,012. That is a strong return on a $28,550 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Guam came in at #23 for value in science education this year. Located in the suburb of Mangilao, University Of Guam is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,110, with out-of-state students paying around $11,414. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $15,650. Early-career science education graduates make about $26,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #24 position for value in science education this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. 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 science education graduates is $26,660. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $40,578. Set against $26,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Truman State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,321. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Science Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for science education this year:
Other Science Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Science Education rankings across degree levels:
View All Science Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 122 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 122 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.
