2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in the New England Region

[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for teacher education students.
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2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in the New England Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the teacher education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Northern Essex Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools in the New England Region. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Students borrow a median of $10,129 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $28,635 early in their careers. Set against $10,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education will find it at Worcester State University, which ranked #2. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $22,971. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $42,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,549 early in their careers. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Bridgewater State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $50,137 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Connecticut State University earned it the #5 place for teacher education. Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Danbury. In-state tuition and fees average $13,401, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $21,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $47,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Connecticut State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Plymouth State University landed the #6 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $45,528. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Connecticut State University landed the #7 spot for teacher education value this year. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,928, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $26,978. Teacher Education graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $48,624 early in their careers. Set against $26,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Lesley University landed the #8 spot for teacher education value this year. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $17,918 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $44,692. That is a strong return on a $17,918 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Saint Anselm College placed #9 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the suburb of Manchester, Saint Anselm College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,920 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Saint Anselm College generally make around $48,228. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Champlain College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the city of Burlington, Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,850. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Teacher Education graduates of Champlain College earn a median of $37,027 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Champlain College admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of New England landed the #11 spot for teacher education value this year. Set in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,210. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,142 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of New England generally make around $68,490. That is a strong return on a $25,142 median debt. University Of New England admits about 92% of applicants.
Merrimack College earned the #12 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,962 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $26,913. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $55,327. Set against $26,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Roger Williams University placed #13 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the suburb of Bristol, Roger Williams University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,197. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $48,664. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.