2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 127 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 Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Leading the list is Florida Atlantic University, our #1 best value for secondary education in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $17,661 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $50,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #2 place for secondary education. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $50,686 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Itawamba Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $45,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at University Of North Georgia, which ranked #5. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $49,402 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Holmes Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $6,200 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $18,553 early in their careers. Set against $6,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Florida came in at #7 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,097 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $48,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Northwest Mississippi Community College landed the #8 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $8,803 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $18,490. That is a strong return on a $8,803 median debt.
Marshall University earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,886 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $41,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Murray State University earned the #10 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,324 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #11 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $19,489. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $50,951. Set against $19,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University landed the #12 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,750. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,722. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Shepherd University placed #13 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,056, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $46,549. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Gordon State College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Barnesville, Gordon State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,628, while out-of-state students pay about $10,948. Students borrow a median of $23,073 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,644. That is a strong return on a $23,073 median debt. Gordon State College admits about 86% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,224. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Concord University landed the #16 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the rural area of Athens, Concord University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,664, while out-of-state students pay about $22,000. Students borrow a median of $20,209 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Concord University generally make around $42,081. That is a strong return on a $20,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #17 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $43,634. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport earned the #18 position for value in secondary education this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,327. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #19 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,447. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #20 for value in secondary education this year. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,600 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $45,143 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University earned the #21 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,420. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $32,416. Secondary Education graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $51,040 early in their careers. Set against $32,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Morehead State University earned the #22 position for value in secondary education this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,292. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $42,941. Set against $25,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,000. Secondary Education graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $47,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #24 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,725 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,114. Set against $26,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of New Orleans came in at #25 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,172 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,514 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $47,905 early in their careers. Set against $24,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Secondary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for secondary education this year:
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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 · 127 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 127 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.
