[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 286 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for teacher education students.
Finding the Best Value Teacher Education School for You
The teacher education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Teacher Education Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Teacher Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $10,500. Teacher Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Tarrant County College District came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $9,750. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $24,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Houston Community College one of the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $40,365. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes St Philips College one of the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $15,653. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Odessa College one of the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University earned the #6 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $15,095. Teacher Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
El Centro College came in at #7 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $12,500. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $25,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palo Alto College earned the #8 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $9,430. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $29,062. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College earned the #9 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $10,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $21,184. That is a strong return on a $10,375 median debt.
Essex County College came in at #10 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $23,768. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Idaho ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $8,006 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $39,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange placed #12 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #13 spot for teacher education value this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $9,625. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $29,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College earned the #14 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $21,956. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $10,576 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
South Plains College came in at #16 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Essex Community College placed #17 among the best values for teacher education. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $10,129 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $28,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #18 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $19,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $49,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Midland College earned the #20 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada earned the #21 position for value in teacher education this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $11,069 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $19,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #22 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $20,995. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $52,532. Set against $20,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Sinclair Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $12,129 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $24,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,129 median debt.
Mclennan Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,598 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College placed #25 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $17,997 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in teacher education:
This ranking is produced 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 · 286 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 286 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).
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
