2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Texas
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for secondary education students.
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2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
For return on investment in secondary education, no school beat College Of The Mainland this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Tarrant County College District one of the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $24,507. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $25,385. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #4 place for secondary education. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $16,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $10,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $10,375 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Set against $10,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College earned the #8 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
Brazosport College earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Austin Community College District placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $17,785 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Panola College landed the #11 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,072 ten years after entry.
Collin County Community College District earned the #12 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Texas College earned the #13 position for value in secondary education this year. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $5,739. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $16,352. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,536. That is a strong return on a $16,352 median debt.
Howard College landed the #14 spot for secondary education value this year. Howard College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $14,242. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $41,039. Set against $14,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College landed the #15 spot for secondary education value this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $55,057. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,348. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midwestern State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,415. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,638. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Temple College placed #18 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, compared with $7,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $16,617. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College placed #19 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $19,581. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #20 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $55,826. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Navarro College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Corsicana, Navarro College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,008, compared with $6,578 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $16,488. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Navarro College generally make around $32,872. Set against $16,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #22 spot for secondary education value this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $53,259 early in their careers. Set against $25,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,659. Secondary Education graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $53,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Tarleton State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $53,121. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Mcmurry University landed the #25 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Mcmurry University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,100. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $29,750. Secondary Education graduates of Mcmurry University earn a median of $41,609 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in secondary education:
More Secondary Education Rankings
View All Secondary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
