2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in New York
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong secondary education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for secondary education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Cuny Queens College earned the #1 spot for value among secondary education schools in New York. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $13,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Old Westbury earned it the #2 place for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny Empire State College earned it the #3 place for secondary education. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $62,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Plattsburgh earned it the #4 place for secondary education. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,521. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,736. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Canisius College landed the #6 spot for secondary education value this year. Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,200. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Canisius College generally make around $61,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo came in at #7 for value in secondary education this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,008. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
New York Institute Of Technology ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,560. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,435 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,435 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Houghton College landed the #9 spot for secondary education value this year. Houghton College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $24,725 median debt. Houghton College admits about 89% of applicants.
Le Moyne College earned the #10 position for value in secondary education this year. Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,330. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,739. Secondary Education graduates of Le Moyne College earn a median of $60,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,739 median debt. Le Moyne College admits about 83% of applicants.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College landed the #11 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,450. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,100 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Saint Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of $44,519 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Mount Saint Mary College came in at #12 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Newburgh, Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,450 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $65,715. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Utica College landed the #13 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,930 in tuition and fees. 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.
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #14 for value in secondary education this year. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. In-state tuition and fees average $42,432. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $43,186 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Molloy College placed #15 among the best values for secondary education. Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. Students from in state pay about $39,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
St Johns University New York landed the #16 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $56,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Manhattan College placed #17 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,400. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Manhattan College generally make around $47,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Saint Bonaventure University earned the #18 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Saint Bonaventure, Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,735. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,917 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Saint Bonaventure University earn a median of $43,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Wagner College placed #19 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Staten Island, Wagner College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,200 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,997 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $80,067. Set against $26,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Iona College landed the #20 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the suburb of New Rochelle, Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,260. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,530. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #21 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,491 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $63,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Saint John Fisher College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,190. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Saint John Fisher College generally make around $38,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Nazareth College placed #24 among the best values for secondary education. Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,210. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Nazareth College generally make around $46,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nazareth College admits about 75% of applicants.
Pace University New York landed the #25 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. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,670 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $75,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% 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
This ranking is produced 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
