[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong secondary education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 567 schools to find the best return on investment for secondary education students.
Finding the Best Value Secondary Education School for You
The secondary education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Secondary Education Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Secondary Education Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in secondary education, no school beat Tarrant County College District this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $24,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Grayson College one of the best values for secondary education. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,627. Secondary Education graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
Odessa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
College Of The Mainland came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #6 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,430. Set against $17,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College landed the #7 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $10,375. Secondary Education graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. Set against $10,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College landed the #8 spot for secondary education value this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $25,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $9,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $29,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Atlantic University placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,661 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $50,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton earned the #11 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $14,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $47,473. Set against $14,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #12 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $5,881. Secondary Education graduates of Springfield Technical Community College earn a median of $28,769 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,881 median debt.
Itawamba Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
North Central Texas College placed #14 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $16,352 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $43,536. Set against $16,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College earned the #15 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $18,417 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $37,485. Set against $18,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Western Idaho landed the #16 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $10,626. Secondary Education graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #17 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $10,576. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College placed #18 among the best values for secondary education. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $5,500. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $16,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $14,607 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #20 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Students borrow a median of $11,069 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $19,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,000. Secondary Education graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $41,896 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #22 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $16,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $72,769. Set against $16,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #23 position for value in secondary education this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $50,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Snow College came in at #24 for value in secondary education this year. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Brazosport College placed #25 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Secondary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for secondary education this year:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Secondary Education. See all related rankings.
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 · 567 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 567 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).
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong secondary education education at a price that pays off.
