2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Arizona
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for secondary education students.
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2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Arizona
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 Pima Community College, our #1 best value for secondary education in Arizona. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $18,417. Secondary Education graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $37,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Arizona Western College, which ranked #2. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,895.
A rank of #3 makes Rio Salado College one of the best values for secondary education. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Arizona College one of the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $9,552. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $6,781. Secondary Education graduates of Eastern Arizona College earn a median of $40,304 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College landed the #6 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $13,750. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Phoenix College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,204. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #8 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $78,359. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paradise Valley Community College came in at #9 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. That is a strong return on a $14,204 median debt.
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Mountain Community College placed #11 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,825.
Northern Arizona University earned the #12 position for value in secondary education this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $18,600. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,551. That is a strong return on a $18,600 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #13 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $43,822. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $46,439. That is a strong return on a $43,822 median debt.
Arizona State University earned the #14 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #15 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $18,687 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $41,490. That is a strong return on a $18,687 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University placed #16 among the best values for secondary education. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $36,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $51,423. Set against $36,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Ashford University landed the #17 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Students borrow a median of $34,575 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Christian University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Arizona Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $35,098. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $22,625. Secondary Education graduates of Arizona Christian University earn a median of $40,702 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
More Secondary Education Rankings
View All Secondary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
