2026 Best Value Education Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Education Philosophy master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 83 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Teaching Degree Search evaluated schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Education Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Education Philosophy master's degree schools in the United States. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in West Chester, PA. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full West Chester University Of Pennsylvania report
Out of the 83 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Drury University landed the #2 spot. Drury University is a private not-for-profit school based in Springfield, MO. Students from in state pay about $36,745 in tuition and fees. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $26,641. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,694. That is a strong return on a $26,641 median debt. About 58% of those who apply are admitted. More on Drury University
You'll get strong value at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Loyola University Chicago Education Philosophy students take on a median of $23,521 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,530 ten years after entry. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants. Read the full report on Loyola University Chicago
Out of the 83 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Northern Iowa landed the #4 spot. Located in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $22,635. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,177 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%. More on University Of Northern Iowa
Out of the 83 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Depaul University landed the #5 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,405. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $25,310. Depaul University alumni report median earnings of $68,751 a decade after entry. Set against $25,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%. Read the full report on Depaul University
Hope International University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Fullerton, CA, Hope International University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,125. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $24,656. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,697. That is a strong return on a $24,656 median debt. Hope International University has an acceptance rate of 33%. Read more about Hope International University
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,792. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison has an acceptance rate of 45%. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Utah offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. University Of Utah Education Philosophy students take on a median of $20,798 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,170. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Utah
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Median earnings reach $111,371 ten years out. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
Teachers College At Columbia University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,294. Read the full report on Teachers College At Columbia University
Northwestern University placed #11 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $16,616. Median earnings reach $89,363 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Northwestern University has an acceptance rate of 8%. See the full Northwestern University profile
University Of Kansas placed #12 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Median earnings reach $61,945 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Kansas
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $20,778. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $81,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Ohio University Main Campus Education Philosophy students take on a median of $24,546 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,581. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants. Read more about Ohio University Main Campus
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Based in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Education Philosophy students take on a median of $23,138 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,126. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus has an acceptance rate of 77%. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Florida State University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Florida State University is a public school based in Tallahassee, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $20,488. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,675 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted. See the full Florida State University profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school based in New Brunswick, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $25,120. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $74,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report
Georgia State University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Set in Atlanta, GA, Georgia State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Georgia State University Education Philosophy students take on a median of $26,091 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 55% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Georgia State University
Arizona State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,668. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Arizona State University report
University Of Iowa landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $24,463. University Of Iowa alumni report median earnings of $64,762 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants. Read more about University Of Iowa
Western Michigan University landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $27,981. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,562. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%. Read the full report on Western Michigan University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school based in Cincinnati, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus Education Philosophy students take on a median of $23,530 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,810. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 85%. Get the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus report
Kent State University At Kent landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Kent, OH, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical Education Philosophy student debt is $25,174. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,388 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants. See the full Kent State University At Kent profile
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #24 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. This public school is set in Honolulu, HI. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,624 ten years after entry. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
Syracuse University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete their Education Philosophy program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $79,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University has an acceptance rate of 46%. More on Syracuse University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Education Philosophy Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Located in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. Median earnings reach $44,792 ten years out. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of New Mexico Main Campus
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,738. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Colorado Boulder report
Eastern Michigan University came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Ypsilanti, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. The median Education Philosophy program debt is $28,781. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,793 ten years after entry. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants. See the full Eastern Michigan University profile
University Of Toledo placed #29 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Set in Toledo, OH, University Of Toledo is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,632. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%. More on University Of Toledo
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. Based in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee alumni report median earnings of $54,990 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
Hofstra University landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Hofstra University report
Wesleyan University placed #32 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Read the full report on Wesleyan University
Bard College At Simons Rock landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Bard College At Simons Rock
University Of The Pacific came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of The Pacific
Amherst College
Amherst College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full Amherst College report
Pitzer College
Pitzer College placed #36 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. More on Pitzer College
Chapman University offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. More on Chapman University
Iowa State University came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Iowa State University
University Of California Los Angeles offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
San Francisco State University offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Read the full report on San Francisco State University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #41 among the best-value Education Philosophy schools in the United States. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Northern Arizona University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. More on Northern Arizona University
Eastern Mennonite University landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Eastern Mennonite University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Cuny Lehman College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Read more about Cuny Lehman College
Loyola University Baltimore landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Loyola University Baltimore report
Southern Utah University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Education Philosophy schools. Read the full report on Southern Utah University
University Of Maryland College Park offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
University Of St Thomas Texas came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of St Thomas Texas
Michigan State University came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Michigan State University report
Related Education Philosophy Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Education Philosophy Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Education Philosophy Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Education Philosophy Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 83 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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