2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in secondary education in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,542 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,473. That is a strong return on a $14,542 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Southern Nevada is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $11,069 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $19,662. Set against $11,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Alaska Southeast earned it the #3 place for secondary education. Located in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,936, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $20,527 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Alaska Southeast earn a median of $55,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,527 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned it the #4 place for secondary education. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $16,151 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $72,769 early in their careers. Set against $16,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Alaska Fairbanks one of the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Students borrow a median of $24,573 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of $51,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,573 median debt.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,913. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,913. 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 came in at #7 for value in secondary education this year. 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. Set against $17,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $20,548. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $55,555. That is a strong return on a $20,548 median debt. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
Truckee Meadows Community College landed the #9 spot for secondary education value this year. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. In-state tuition and fees average $3,352, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.
Washington State University earned the #10 position for value in secondary education this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $22,960. Secondary Education graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,794 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $22,700 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $50,858 early in their careers. Set against $22,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
Nevada State College placed #12 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Nevada State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,765, with out-of-state students paying around $21,833. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $30,037 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Hawaii earned the #13 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,461. Brigham Young University Hawaii admits about 47% of applicants.
Western Washington University earned the #14 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $58,418. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Azusa Pacific University earned the #15 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Oregon University earned the #16 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of La Grande, Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,729 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,893. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Southern Oregon University placed #17 among the best values for secondary education. Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ashland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,762, with out-of-state students paying around $31,887. Students borrow a median of $28,906 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Southern Oregon University earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Western Oregon University placed #18 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,514, compared with $32,169 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,458 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Western Oregon University earn a median of $47,690 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Oregon University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Redlands earned the #19 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,878. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,175. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $59,996. Set against $27,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Saint Martins University earned the #20 position for value in secondary education this year. Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lacey. Students from in state pay about $45,510 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,818 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Saint Martins University earn a median of $53,633 early in their careers. Set against $22,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Seattle Pacific University earned the #21 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $59,268. Set against $25,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Northwest Christian University landed the #22 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Eugene, Northwest Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,800. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northwest Christian University generally make around $62,860. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Christian University admits about 67% of applicants.
Walla Walla University came in at #23 for value in secondary education this year. Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of College Place. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,227. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $29,249. Secondary Education graduates of Walla Walla University earn a median of $55,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,249 median debt.
University Of La Verne ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. Students from in state pay about $49,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $35,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Whitworth University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $51,174 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Secondary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for secondary education this year:
Narrow Secondary Education Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
