2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the New England Region
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong secondary education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value secondary education schools.
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2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Springfield Technical Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools in the New England Region. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $5,881 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $28,769. That is a strong return on a $5,881 median debt.
Worcester State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Students borrow a median of $22,971 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $42,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salem State University earned it the #3 place for secondary education. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,176. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Framingham State University one of the best values for secondary education. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,872. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,006. That is a strong return on a $25,872 median debt. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at University Of Maine At Presque Isle, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Maine At Presque Isle generally make around $41,148. Set against $23,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $48,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island College earned the #7 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,973 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Westfield State University placed #8 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $46,645 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine At Augusta landed the #9 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $29,313. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Maine At Augusta earn a median of $45,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Connecticut State University landed the #10 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,401, with out-of-state students paying around $16,901. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $21,000. Secondary Education graduates of Western Connecticut State University earn a median of $47,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine At Farmington landed the #11 spot for secondary education value this year. University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. In-state tuition and fees average $11,308, with out-of-state students paying around $23,878. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,094. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $38,835. Set against $26,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Maine came in at #12 for value in secondary education this year. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $38,924. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Vermont earned the #13 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $44,588. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
Keene State College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,784 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $41,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Rhode Island placed #16 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,026. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $44,363 early in their careers. Set against $24,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Plymouth State University placed #17 among the best values for secondary education. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. Students from in state pay about $14,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $44,487 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Eastern Connecticut State University placed #18 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,928, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,978. Secondary Education graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $48,624 early in their careers. Set against $26,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Thomas College placed #19 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Waterville, Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,824 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Thomas College generally make around $38,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Husson University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bangor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,304. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of Husson University earn a median of $40,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #21 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Students borrow a median of $26,368 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $48,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
American International College came in at #22 for value in secondary education this year. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $30,390 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of American International College earn a median of $59,475 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Gordon College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,700 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Gordon College generally make around $37,097. That is a strong return on a $26,975 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts placed #24 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Emmanuel College Massachusetts generally make around $42,216. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.
Smith College landed the #25 spot for secondary education value this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Smith College earn a median of $40,436 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Secondary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s secondary education value ranking:
Narrow Secondary Education Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
