2027 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in Arkansas

[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for teacher education students.
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2027 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in Arkansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas tops our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools in Arkansas. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of De Queen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $7,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rich Mountain Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,696, 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.
Black River Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #3 spot this year. Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pocahontas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,776, while out-of-state students pay about $7,488. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $12,420. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Black River Technical College generally make around $41,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Arkansas Northeastern College one of the best values for teacher education. Located in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
A rank of #5 makes Northwest Arkansas Community College one of the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,479 median debt.
Mid South Community College came in at #6 for value in teacher education this year. Located in the suburb of West Memphis, Mid South Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,126, compared with $4,824 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
East Arkansas Community College landed the #7 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the town of Forrest City, East Arkansas Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $4,380 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $8,110. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from East Arkansas Community College generally make around $42,134. Set against $8,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Arkansas Community College earned the #8 position for value in teacher education this year. South Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in the town of El Dorado. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,324, while out-of-state students pay about $5,532. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $15,386. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $59,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville placed #9 among the best values for teacher education. University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public school located in the town of Batesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $4,662. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $9,265 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $64,187. That is a strong return on a $9,265 median debt.
Arkansas State University Newport landed the #10 spot for teacher education value this year. Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newport. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Teacher Education graduates of Arkansas State University Newport earn a median of $44,500 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,776. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Beebe placed #12 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $18,025. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
North Arkansas College earned the #13 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $10,645 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of North Arkansas College earn a median of $38,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,645 median debt.
National Park Community College earned the #14 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,600, while out-of-state students pay about $7,280. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $14,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $42,458. That is a strong return on a $14,525 median debt.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello came in at #15 for value in teacher education this year. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,292, with out-of-state students paying around $14,857. Students borrow a median of $15,611 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $44,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,611 median debt.
Pulaski Technical College landed the #16 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the city of North Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $14,849. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $32,554. That is a strong return on a $14,849 median debt.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock placed #17 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,911, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $22,500. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $41,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
University Of Arkansas placed #18 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,141 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $49,641 early in their careers. Set against $26,141 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Southeast Arkansas College landed the #19 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, Southeast Arkansas College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,200, compared with $8,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $12,008. Teacher Education graduates of Southeast Arkansas College earn a median of $30,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Brown University came in at #20 for value in teacher education this year. John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Siloam Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,756. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,216 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of John Brown University earn a median of $47,188 early in their careers. Set against $25,216 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. John Brown University admits about 76% of applicants.
Harding University placed #21 among the best values for teacher education. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $44,416. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Henderson State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,244, compared with $10,620 for out-of-state students. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Henderson State University generally make around $40,131. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Teacher Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.