College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Education

1,080 Ranked Colleges
327,871 Degrees Awarded
$14,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Education Schools” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 327,871 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, education is the 4th most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $46,202 and had an average of $24,437 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools” ranking analyzed 1,080 colleges that offered a degree in education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Education Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The education school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Education Schools”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Education Schools

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools. This large school is located in Provo, Utah, and it awarded 491 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, BYU also did well on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend BYU is $13,474 for Education students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full BYU Education Report

2
Urban College of Boston crest
Urban College of Boston
Boston, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Urban College of Boston. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 101 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Urban College of Boston is also in the top of our “Best Education Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools” list. It costs about $12,714 for education students per year to attend Urban College of Boston.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Education at Urban College of Boston

3
WGU crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah

Out of the 1,080 schools in the Best Value Education Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Governors University landed the #3 spot on the list. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 12,503 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, WGU is in the top on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for WGU is $9,969 for education students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at WGU

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Rexburg, Idaho is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 380 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend BYU - I is $6,698 for Education students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Brigham Young University - Idaho Education Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Concordia University, Nebraska. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools. Seward, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 1,009 students in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Nebraska excels when it comes to education quality. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Nebraska is $22,035 for education students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Education at Concordia University, Nebraska

6

Central New Mexico Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools list. Central New Mexico Community College is a fairly large school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 334 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,322 for Education students per year to attend Central New Mexico Community College.

Full CNM Education Report

7

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #7. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Erie, Pennsylvania. It awarded 34 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, LECOM also did well on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 1 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Education at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

8
Cumberlands crest
University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, Kentucky

University of the Cumberlands landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. University of the Cumberlands is a fairly large school located in Williamsburg, Kentucky that handed out 1,458 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,476 for education students per year to attend University of the Cumberlands.

Full University of the Cumberlands Education Report

9
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 987 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Chicago excels when it comes to education quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $17,051 for education students per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Concordia University, Chicago

10
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Top 15% in overall quality
$55,437 Average Early-Career Earnings

Walden University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools ranking. Walden University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,924 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Walden University also did well on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools” list.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Walden University

11
ICC crest
Itawamba Community College
Fulton, Mississippi

Itawamba Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. Itawamba Community College is a small public school situated in Fulton, Mississippi. It awarded 80 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,086 for education students per year to attend Itawamba Community College.

Full Itawamba Community College Education Report

12

North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 208 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, North Dakota State University is in the top on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,998 for Education students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Education at North Dakota State University

13

With a ranking of #13, Delaware Technical Community College - Terry did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Dover, Delaware is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 148 students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Delaware Tech also did well on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $8,479 for education students per year to attend Delaware Technical Community College - Terry.

Read more about Education at Delaware Technical Community College - Terry

14
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools ranking. Minot State University is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 132 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Minot State University is $12,205 for Education students.

Full Minot State University Education Report

15
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

With a ranking of #15, Grand Canyon University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Grand Canyon University is a large school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 9,205 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Grand Canyon University excels when it comes to education quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Grand Canyon University is $20,585 for education students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Grand Canyon University

16

University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. University of Phoenix - Arizona is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,725 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UOPX - Arizona also did well on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for UOPX - Arizona is $13,038 for education students.

Read more about Education at University of Phoenix - Arizona

17
MLC crest
Martin Luther College
New Ulm, Minnesota

With a ranking of #17, Martin Luther College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Located in New Ulm, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 160 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, MLC is in the top on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Martin Luther College is $22,205 for Education students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Martin Luther College Education Report

18
Seattle U crest
Seattle University
Seattle, Washington

Seattle University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Seattle, Washington, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 141 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Seattle U is in the top on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our “Best Education Schools” list. It costs about $35,109 for Education students per year to attend Seattle U.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Seattle University Education Report

19

With a ranking of #19, Sinclair Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Located in Dayton, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 87 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $4,959 for education students.

Read full report on Education at Sinclair Community College

20
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 1,463 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, Capella University is in the top on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $16,545 for education students per year to attend Capella University.

Read more about Education at Capella University

21
Valley City State University crest
Valley City State University
Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. This small school is located in Valley City, North Dakota, and it awarded 282 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,676 for education students per year to attend Valley City State University.

Read full report on Education at Valley City State University

22
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, Delaware

Wilmington University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking, coming in at #22. Wilmington University is a fairly large school located in New Castle, Delaware that handed out 709 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wilmington University is $15,186 for education students.

Read more about Education at Wilmington University

23

University of Northern Iowa came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 674 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UNI is also in the top of our “Best Education Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $16,438 for education students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Northern Iowa Education Report

24

With a ranking of #24, Concordia University, Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools list. Concordia University, Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 528 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Irvine also claimed a top spot on our “Best Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $27,201 for Education students per year to attend Concordia University, Irvine.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Concordia University, Irvine Education Report

25
Georgia Military College crest
Georgia Military College
Milledgeville, Georgia

Georgia Military College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools ranking. Georgia Military College is a public institution located in Milledgeville, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 138 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Georgia Military College is $11,029 for Education students.

Read more about Education at Georgia Military College

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Education Schools

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska
28
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, Texas
29
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota
30
31
South Texas College crest
South Texas College
McAllen, Texas
32
33
Essex crest
Essex County College
Newark, New Jersey
34
35
36
Azusa Pacific crest
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, California
37
La Salle crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
38
Touro crest
Touro College
New York, New York
39
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
40
UMary crest
University of Mary
Bismarck, North Dakota
41
42
43
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota
44
Stanly Technical College crest
Stanly Community College
Albemarle, North Carolina
44
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota
46
47
48
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
49
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Education Schools

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte, NC
52Northeast Wisconsin Technical CollegeGreen Bay, WI
53William Carey UniversityHattiesburg, MS
54Missouri State University - SpringfieldSpringfield, MO
54University of Wisconsin - La CrosseLa Crosse, WI
56The University of Arizona Global CampusSan Diego, CA
57Hunter CollegeNew York, NY
58Fox Valley Technical CollegeAppleton, WI
59Holmes Community CollegeGoodman, MS
60Harding UniversitySearcy, AR
61VanderCook College of MusicChicago, IL
62William Woods UniversityFulton, MO
63Southwest Minnesota State UniversityMarshall, MN
64Dickinson State UniversityDickinson, ND
65Viterbo UniversityLa Crosse, WI
RankCollegeLocation
66University of Wisconsin - Eau ClaireEau Claire, WI
67National Louis UniversityChicago, IL
68Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud, MN
69South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SD
70University of West AlabamaLivingston, AL
71Ivy Tech Community CollegeIndianapolis, IN
72Southern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondale, IL
73Concordia University, Saint PaulSaint Paul, MN
74University of WyomingLaramie, WY
75University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls, SD
76Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL
77Central Georgia Technical CollegeWarner Robins, GA
78Gordon CollegeWenham, MA
79Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL
80Morningside CollegeSioux City, IA
81Drake UniversityDes Moines, IA
82Bristol Community CollegeFall River, MA
83Chadron State CollegeChadron, NE
84University of Minnesota - DuluthDuluth, MN
85University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND
86Delaware County Community CollegeMedia, PA
87Truman State UniversityKirksville, MO
88The College of New JerseyEwing, NJ
89College of Southern NevadaLas Vegas, NV
90Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeFayetteville, NC
RankCollegeLocation
91University of Wisconsin - StoutMenomonie, WI
92Minnesota State University - MoorheadMoorhead, MN
93Harrisburg Area Community CollegeHarrisburg, PA
94Olivet Nazarene UniversityBourbonnais, IL
95Middlesex Community CollegeBedford, MA
96Piedmont CollegeDemorest, GA
97Camden County CollegeBlackwood, NJ
97Alverno CollegeMilwaukee, WI
99University of Wisconsin - WhitewaterWhitewater, WI
100University of JamestownJamestown, ND
101Delta State UniversityCleveland, MS
102Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA
103Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA
104Rasmussen University - IllinoisRockford, IL
105Goucher CollegeBaltimore, MD
106Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ
107Brandman UniversityIrvine, CA
108University of Akron Main CampusAkron, OH
109Lone Star College SystemThe Woodlands, TX
110Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztown, PA
111Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL
112Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau, MO
113Bemidji State UniversityBemidji, MN
114Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA
115Montclair State UniversityMontclair, NJ
RankCollegeLocation
116Worcester State UniversityWorcester, MA
117Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles, MO
118University of Wisconsin - Stevens PointStevens Point, WI
119Mayville State UniversityMayville, ND
119Fitchburg State UniversityFitchburg, MA
121Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown, OH
122Northern State UniversityAberdeen, SD
123Utah State UniversityLogan, UT
124Northcentral UniversitySan Diego, CA
125Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno, CA
126University of North AlabamaFlorence, AL
127Lewis & Clark CollegePortland, OR
128Union UniversityJackson, TN
129Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA
129University of St FrancisJoliet, IL
131Wisconsin Lutheran CollegeMilwaukee, WI
132Freed-Hardeman UniversityHenderson, TN
132McDaniel CollegeWestminster, MD
134Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock, PA
135Carson - Newman UniversityJefferson City, TN
136Ashland UniversityAshland, OH
136Springfield Technical Community CollegeSpringfield, MA
138University of North TexasDenton, TX
139Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, VA
140Doane UniversityCrete, NE
RankCollegeLocation
141Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC
142Southern Adventist UniversityCollegedale, TN
143Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE
144Purdue University NorthwestHammond, IN
145Southwest Baptist UniversityBolivar, MO
146Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL
147Mississippi Gulf Coast Community CollegePerkinston, MS
148Citadel Military College of South CarolinaCharleston, SC
148Rasmussen University - MinnesotaSt. Cloud, MN
150Northeastern State UniversityTahlequah, OK
151Community College of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA
152Webster UniversitySaint Louis, MO
153Trevecca Nazarene UniversityNashville, TN
154Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityDurant, OK
154Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC
156University of South Florida - Main CampusTampa, FL
157Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI
158West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA
159Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids, MI
160SUNY CortlandCortland, NY
161Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw, GA
161Georgia Northwestern Technical CollegeRome, GA
163East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options