[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-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.
College Factual analyzed 427 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value secondary education schools.
El Centro College tops our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools in the United States. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $12,500. Secondary Education graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $25,385 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Odessa College one of the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values 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. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,661 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $50,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #4 place for secondary education. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,542 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $28,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,896. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #6 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida State University placed #7 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia placed #8 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $46,099. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida placed #9 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $19,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $49,475. Set against $24,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Great Basin College placed #11 among the best values for secondary education. Great Basin College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elko. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,923, with out-of-state students paying around $11,996. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $17,128. Secondary Education graduates of Great Basin College earn a median of $67,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $18,670 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,925. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,458. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Marshall University landed the #14 spot for secondary 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,886 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $40,057. That is a strong return on a $25,886 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Kokomo earned the #15 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,885 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $24,705 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,888. Set against $24,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,573 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of $51,619 early in their careers. Set against $24,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #18 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,145 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Western New Mexico University earned the #19 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,425. Secondary Education graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midwestern State University earned the #20 position for value in secondary education this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,415. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,638. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Murray State University placed #21 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, while out-of-state students pay about $14,862. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,148. Set against $23,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #23 among the best values for secondary education. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $16,335 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $45,522. That is a strong return on a $16,335 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #24 for value in secondary education this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $19,489 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #25 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $46,744. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Secondary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for secondary education this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 427 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 427 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/) 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.
