by our College Data Analytics Team
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong teacher education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for teacher education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in teacher education, no school beat Delaware County Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $13,340. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $25,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Community College Of Philadelphia one of the best values for teacher education. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $28,805 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education will find it at Holy Family University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $53,228. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. Students borrow a median of $26,263 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cedar Crest College earned it the #5 place for teacher education. Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. In-state tuition and fees average $46,314. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $30,759. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $67,662. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Seton Hill University landed the #6 spot for teacher education value this year. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Students from in state pay about $42,944 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Seton Hill University earn a median of $53,485 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,263 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona earn a median of $45,795 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona admits about 98% of applicants.
Gannon University came in at #8 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,656 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $44,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Juniata College landed the #9 spot for teacher education value this year. Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntingdon. In-state tuition and fees average $58,580. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Juniata College generally make around $30,552. That is a strong return on a $26,976 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College placed #10 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,263 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College generally make around $45,795. That is a strong return on a $26,263 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Geneva College placed #11 among the best values for teacher education. Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beaver Falls. Students from in state pay about $33,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Geneva College generally make around $33,818. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gwynedd Mercy College placed #12 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley, Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,838 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $49,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arcadia University came in at #13 for value in teacher education this year. Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,610. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $54,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $36,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Desales University came in at #15 for value in teacher education this year. Located in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,800. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Teacher Education graduates of Desales University earn a median of $46,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,263 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,795 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University earned the #17 position for value in teacher education this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $32,375 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $50,312. That is a strong return on a $32,375 median debt. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.