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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Connecticut

2 Colleges in the United States
$25,806 Avg Student Debt
$66,774 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Secondary Education Badge [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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for secondary education students.

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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Connecticut

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Secondary Education Schools

1

Leading the list is Western Connecticut State University, our #1 best value for secondary education in Connecticut. Located in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,401, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $47,559. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

2

Eastern Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,978. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $48,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at University Of Bridgeport, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,760. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $28,601. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Bridgeport admits about 83% of applicants.

4
Saint Joseph College crest
Saint Joseph College
West Hartford, CT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Joseph College earned it the #4 place for secondary education. Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,278. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,798. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $52,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

5
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Hartford earned it the #5 place for secondary education. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,075. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,648 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hartford admits about 96% of applicants.

6
Connecticut College crest
Connecticut College
New London, CT

Connecticut College landed the #6 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the city of New London, Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,242. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,807. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Connecticut College generally make around $43,936. Set against $23,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Connecticut College admits about 37% of applicants.

7

Quinnipiac University landed the #7 spot for secondary education value this year. Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamden. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Students borrow a median of $25,926 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $51,985 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Quinnipiac University admits about 72% of applicants.

8
Fairfield University crest
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT

Fairfield University landed the #8 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,400. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,687. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Fairfield University generally make around $48,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairfield University admits about 33% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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