2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in New York

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary education students.
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2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
For return on investment in secondary education, no school beat Suny College At Old Westbury this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny Empire State College earned it the #2 place for secondary education. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the secondary education program here. 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.
Suny College At Plattsburgh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $9,035, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,657. That is a strong return on a $24,217 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Canisius College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,200. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $61,512 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College came in at #6 for value in secondary education this year. Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sparkill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,450. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,100. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University At Buffalo ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $45,008. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Utica College landed the #8 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,930. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,021. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Houghton College came in at #9 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the rural area of Houghton, Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,430. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,725 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Houghton College generally make around $26,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Le Moyne College placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $40,330. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,739 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $60,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Le Moyne College admits about 83% of applicants.
Elmira College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Elmira, Elmira College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,896. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of Elmira College earn a median of $47,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Molloy College landed the #12 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,790. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,898. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
New York Institute Of Technology landed the #13 spot for secondary education value this year. New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Old Westbury. In-state tuition and fees average $46,560. Students borrow a median of $25,435 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. Set against $25,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York Institute Of Technology admits about 81% of applicants.
Mount Saint Mary College landed the #14 spot for secondary education value this year. Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newburgh. Students from in state pay about $43,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Mount Saint Mary College generally make around $65,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Saint Bonaventure University placed #15 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the town of Saint Bonaventure, Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,735 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,917. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Saint Bonaventure University generally make around $43,190. Set against $25,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattan College came in at #16 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,400 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,564. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Wagner College placed #17 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Staten Island, Wagner College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,200. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,997 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Wagner College generally make around $61,515. Set against $26,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Saint John Fisher College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $41,190. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $38,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Iona College landed the #19 spot for secondary education value this year. Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Rochelle. Students from in state pay about $47,260 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Iona College earn a median of $51,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Iona College admits about 87% of applicants.
St Johns University New York came in at #20 for value in secondary education this year. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $56,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Nazareth College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,210. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Nazareth College earn a median of $46,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Pace University New York landed the #22 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,510. Students borrow a median of $25,656 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $75,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Siena College placed #23 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,805. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,656 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,535. Set against $26,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Long Island University C W Post Campus landed the #24 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,432. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,186. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ithaca College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,517. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Ithaca College generally make around $52,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in secondary education:
More Secondary Education Rankings
View All Secondary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.