2027 Best Value Teacher Education Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 139 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for teacher education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in teacher education in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $51,372. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for teacher education. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $54,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,995 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $54,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Nevada Las Vegas one of the best values for teacher education. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $24,913 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $54,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,913 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #5 place for teacher education. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #6 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia placed #7 among the best values for teacher education. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $19,500. Teacher Education graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $52,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Western New Mexico University came in at #8 for value in teacher education this year. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State University placed #9 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $44,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #10 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $65,591. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #11 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,342 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $17,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Marshall University earned the #12 position for value in teacher education this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,886 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $43,110 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Alabama earned the #13 position for value in teacher education this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $53,005 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Christian Brothers University placed #14 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,420. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $32,416. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. Set against $32,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of West Georgia came in at #15 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $25,217. Teacher Education graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $58,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,217 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #16 among the best values for teacher education. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $21,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Saint Xavier University landed the #17 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $29,854. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $51,753. That is a strong return on a $29,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Purdue University Global placed #18 among the best values for teacher education. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $57,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $42,508. That is a strong return on a $57,500 median debt.
Western Kentucky University earned the #19 position for value in teacher education this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $25,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,211. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Fresno Pacific University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $25,000. Teacher Education graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $33,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of West Alabama landed the #21 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $54,953. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.
Middle Georgia State University earned the #22 position for value in teacher education this year. Middle Georgia State University is a large public school located in the city of Macon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, with out-of-state students paying around $16,390. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $23,125. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $41,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #23 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $26,725 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $42,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University came in at #24 for value in teacher education this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $62,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #25 for value in teacher education this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $53,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Teacher Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s teacher education value ranking:
Other Teacher Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Teacher Education rankings across degree levels:
View All Teacher 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 · 139 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 139 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.
