2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Kentucky
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for secondary education students.
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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Kentucky
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
Our analysis ranked Northern Kentucky University the best value for a degree in secondary education in Kentucky. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $22,324. 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. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Kentucky University earned it the #3 place for secondary education. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,725. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,292 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $42,941. That is a strong return on a $25,292 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,782 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $38,571. That is a strong return on a $22,782 median debt. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Georgetown College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,840. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Kentucky earned the #7 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $42,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University landed the #8 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,998. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $43,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Campbellsville University admits about 80% of applicants.
Thomas More College landed the #9 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Crestview Hills, Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,025. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Thomas More College generally make around $40,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Bellarmine University landed the #10 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Bellarmine University generally make around $45,567. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bellarmine University admits about 86% of applicants.
More Secondary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
