by our College Data Analytics Team
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong teacher education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value teacher education schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the teacher education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Sinclair Community College earned the #1 spot for value among teacher education schools in the Great Lakes Region. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $12,129. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $24,950. That is a strong return on a $12,129 median debt.
University Of Michigan Dearborn is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Purdue University Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $57,500. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $32,164. That is a strong return on a $57,500 median debt.
Saint Xavier University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $29,854 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. That is a strong return on a $29,854 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Owens Community College one of the best values for teacher education. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $22,645. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #6 position for value in teacher education this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $31,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $48,149. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Superior State University placed #7 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,890 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,429 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $47,910. That is a strong return on a $22,429 median debt.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #8 among the best values for teacher education. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $21,944 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $39,496. That is a strong return on a $21,944 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Youngstown State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $29,500. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $33,735. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #10 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $38,830 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University earned the #11 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $52,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,346. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in teacher education this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Toledo landed the #14 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $24,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $39,947. Set against $24,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Calvin College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $45,751. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mary College earned the #16 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Mount Mary College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,420. Students borrow a median of $26,372 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Mount Mary College earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Wisconsin Lutheran College earned the #17 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,110. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Wisconsin Lutheran College generally make around $49,485. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Marian University Indiana placed #18 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,664. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Marian University Indiana earn a median of $46,587 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $19,545 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $40,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Elmhurst College placed #20 among the best values for teacher education. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Students borrow a median of $24,064 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $48,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Northern University came in at #21 for value in teacher education this year. Located in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Ohio Northern University generally make around $56,878. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Lakeland College landed the #22 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the rural area of Plymouth, Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,396. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $29,722. Teacher Education graduates of Lakeland College earn a median of $52,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Edgewood College earned the #23 position for value in teacher education this year. Edgewood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $35,860. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Edgewood College generally make around $56,578. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Edgewood College admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $49,822. Set against $19,891 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Saint Norbert College placed #25 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,580. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $44,823. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for teacher education this year:
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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.