by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 77 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Northeast Community College, our #1 best value for secondary education in the The Plains States Region. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,799. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $24,710. That is a strong return on a $11,799 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Iowa Tech Community College earned it the #2 place for secondary education. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Western Nebraska Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $14,507. Secondary Education graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Iowa Central Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $39,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Community College Creston earned it the #5 place for secondary education. Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public school located in the town of Creston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $46,106. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #6 spot for secondary education value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College placed #7 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,390. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $49,626. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valley City State University placed #8 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,179. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Mayville State University landed the #9 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,237. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $45,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Hays State University landed the #10 spot for secondary education value this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $30,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $42,112. That is a strong return on a $30,800 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #11 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,123. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Ellsworth Community College came in at #12 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,062 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of $40,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #13 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,420 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $16,126. Secondary Education graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $45,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,126 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $36,345 early in their careers. Set against $21,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #15 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $39,942. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Dickinson State University came in at #16 for value in secondary education this year. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,750. Secondary Education graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $49,811 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned the #17 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies generally make around $31,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #18 for value in secondary education this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,199. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $38,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #19 position for value in secondary education this year. Iowa Western Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,153. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #20 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,995. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #21 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $42,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Butler Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,541, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $39,404. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cottey College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Nevada, Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,562 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,422. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #24 spot for secondary education value this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,128 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $44,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
William Jewell College landed the #25 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Liberty, William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,610. Students borrow a median of $25,950 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,588. That is a strong return on a $25,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in secondary education:
This ranking is produced 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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 77 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.