2027 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in the Southeast Region
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 87 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value teacher education schools.
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2027 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Holmes Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Students borrow a median of $6,200 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Set against $6,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $20,995. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,532. That is a strong return on a $20,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Black River Technical College earned it the #3 place for teacher education. Located in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,776, with out-of-state students paying around $7,488. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $12,420 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $41,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas one of the best values for teacher education. Set in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $5,190. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $7,018. Teacher Education graduates of Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $35,035 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Rich Mountain Community College one of the best values for teacher education. Rich Mountain Community College is a small public school located in the town of Mena. Students from in state pay about $3,696 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Teacher Education graduates of Rich Mountain Community College earn a median of $21,186 early in their careers.
Northwest Arkansas Community College came in at #6 for value in teacher education this year. Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bentonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,342, while out-of-state students pay about $5,238. Students borrow a median of $12,479 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $40,671. Set against $12,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $50,686 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University earned the #8 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,886 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $41,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,886 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia landed the #9 spot for teacher education value this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $19,500. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $49,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Arkansas State University Newport came in at #10 for value in teacher education this year. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. Students borrow a median of $10,925 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $44,500. Set against $10,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville came in at #11 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $4,662. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $9,265. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $64,187. That is a strong return on a $9,265 median debt.
Arkansas Northeastern College placed #12 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,570, while out-of-state students pay about $4,250. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $7,944. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Arkansas Northeastern College generally make around $23,575. That is a strong return on a $7,944 median debt.
Murray State University earned the #13 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,324 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $40,669. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
East Arkansas Community College came in at #14 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,380 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $8,110. Teacher Education graduates of East Arkansas Community College earn a median of $42,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Arkansas Community College placed #15 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,324, compared with $5,532 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,386 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of South Arkansas Community College earn a median of $59,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid South Community College landed the #16 spot for teacher education value this year. Mid South Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of West Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $3,126, compared with $4,824 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home came in at #17 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, compared with $4,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $18,097. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Arkansas State University Mountain Home generally make around $39,011. Set against $18,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Peay State University placed #18 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $25,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $41,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #19 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $43,634. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Christian Brothers University placed #20 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,420 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $32,416. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $51,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama placed #21 among the best values for teacher education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $47,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Beebe ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $18,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Kentucky University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $41,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #24 position for value in teacher education this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $40,114. Set against $26,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia placed #25 among the best values for teacher education. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Students borrow a median of $25,217 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $50,204 early in their careers. Set against $25,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Teacher Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s teacher education value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 87 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.
