by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value teacher education schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the teacher education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Simpson College earned the #1 spot for value among teacher education schools in Iowa. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,656. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Simpson College earn a median of $42,760 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Iowa came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $45,015 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cornell College earned it the #3 place for teacher education. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,660 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $42,756. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $57,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Dordt College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,050. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $21,500. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $39,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.