by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary education students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is College Of Western Idaho, our #1 best value for secondary education in Idaho. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Students borrow a median of $10,626 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,963.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Idaho State University earned it the #2 place for secondary education. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $43,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,164. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Boise State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $42,237. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwest Nazarene University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Nampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,824. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,450. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.