2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value secondary education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
For return on investment in secondary education, no school beat Northampton County Area Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $13,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $26,956. Set against $13,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Montgomery County Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $14,250. Secondary Education graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $20,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $43,291 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $16,838. Secondary Education graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $30,289 early in their careers. Set against $16,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,557. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford placed #6 among the best values for secondary education. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bradford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,770, with out-of-state students paying around $26,644. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $36,248. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford admits about 88% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #7 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $37,833. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Cedar Crest College placed #8 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,314. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $30,759. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Cedar Crest College generally make around $67,662. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,710, compared with $26,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earn a median of $36,248 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $36,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #11 among the best values for secondary education. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Mercyhurst College earned the #13 position for value in secondary education this year. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,770. Students borrow a median of $25,705 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Mercyhurst College generally make around $46,826. That is a strong return on a $25,705 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Robert Morris University landed the #14 spot for secondary education value this year. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,770. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,748 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $58,900. That is a strong return on a $26,748 median debt. Robert Morris University admits about 90% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #15 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Students borrow a median of $26,263 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of $60,149 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,263 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Carlow University earned the #16 position for value in secondary education this year. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,874. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $39,596. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Marywood University came in at #17 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,420. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earned the #18 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,263. Secondary Education graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earn a median of $45,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,263 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Point Park University landed the #19 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,570. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $28,323. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $35,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Wilkes University placed #20 among the best values for secondary education. Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,496. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $53,433 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Geneva College came in at #21 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Beaver Falls, Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,450. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $46,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gwynedd Mercy College placed #22 among the best values for secondary education. Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,838. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Gwynedd Mercy College generally make around $49,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University placed #23 among the best values for secondary education. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $57,473. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Chestnut Hill College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,870. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of Chestnut Hill College earn a median of $46,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Secondary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s secondary education value ranking:
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
