2026 Best Value Secondary Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 693 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary education students.
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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Queens College the best value for a degree in secondary education in the United States. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $13,100 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,100 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #2 place for secondary education. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $17,661 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $50,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
El Centro College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $25,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,542 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $28,933 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,542 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Western New Mexico University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,425. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,366. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $46,646 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in secondary education this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,705 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,913. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,475. Set against $24,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #10 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,489 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,951. Set against $19,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #11 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Great Basin College earned the #12 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Elko, Great Basin College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,923, compared with $11,996 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,128 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Great Basin College earn a median of $67,461 early in their careers. Set against $17,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Florida landed the #13 spot for secondary education value this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $19,097 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $47,210. That is a strong return on a $19,097 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #14 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,573 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,619. That is a strong return on a $24,573 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #15 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,458. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alaska Southeast ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $20,527 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Alaska Southeast generally make around $52,875. That is a strong return on a $20,527 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,250. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,443. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia earned the #18 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $46,099 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Weber State University placed #19 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $18,670. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,861. That is a strong return on a $18,670 median debt.
Marshall University placed #20 among the best values for secondary education. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $40,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Indiana University Kokomo ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,885 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $40,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,885 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wyoming earned the #22 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Northern New Mexico College placed #23 among the best values for secondary education. Northern New Mexico College is a small public school located in the town of Espanola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,064, while out-of-state students pay about $14,328. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.
Murray State University earned the #24 position for value in secondary education this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $22,324. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,423. Set against $22,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northern Kentucky University placed #25 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Secondary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for secondary education this year:
Other Secondary Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Secondary Education rankings across degree levels:
View All Secondary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 693 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 159 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.
