[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 270 schools to find the best return on investment for secondary education students.
California State University Fullerton tops our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools in the United States. 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, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $14,542 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $66,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $16,008. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $72,769. That is a strong return on a $16,008 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #3 place for secondary education. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $18,670 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $60,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for secondary education. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $54,726. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at University Of Nevada Las Vegas, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,913. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $54,350. That is a strong return on a $24,913 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Portland State University placed #6 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,475. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $43,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of North Georgia ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $52,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,516. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Indiana University Southeast landed the #9 spot for secondary education value this year. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,145. Secondary Education graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Western New Mexico University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,855, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,425. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Empire State College earned the #11 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,693. Secondary Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $62,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Murray State University landed the #12 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,324 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,423. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University came in at #13 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $57,751. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #14 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $44,388 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida earned the #15 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $19,097. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,299. That is a strong return on a $19,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Oakland University earned the #16 position for value in secondary education this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $29,019 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $50,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Marshall University came in at #17 for value in secondary education this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,886 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. Set against $25,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Worcester State University came in at #18 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $22,971. Secondary Education graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $42,313 early in their careers. Set against $22,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Christian Brothers University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $38,420 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,416 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #20 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rhode Island College earned the #21 position for value in secondary education this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,973 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Dominican University placed #22 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $50,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Students borrow a median of $25,217 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $58,664 early in their careers. Set against $25,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University placed #25 among the best values for secondary education. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $29,854 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $52,674 early in their careers. Set against $29,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in secondary education:
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 · 270 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 270 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/) 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.
