2026 Best Value Teacher Education And Development Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Teacher Education And Development certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1272 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, 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 Teacher Education And Development Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is Valley City State University, our #1 best-value Teacher Education And Development school in the United States. This public school is set in Valley City, ND. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Valley City State University Teacher Education And Development students take on a median of $24,394 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,725. Set against $24,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants. Read more about Valley City State University
You'll get strong value at Bemidji State University, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Typical Teacher Education And Development student debt is $23,389. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,755. Set against $23,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted. More on Bemidji State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Cloud Technical And Community College earned it the #3 place in the United States. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public school based in Saint Cloud, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Typical Teacher Education And Development student debt is $16,734. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,874. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt. Read more about St Cloud Technical And Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwest Minnesota State University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public school based in Marshall, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. The median Teacher Education And Development program debt is $29,000. Southwest Minnesota State University alumni report median earnings of $51,342 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants. See the full Southwest Minnesota State University profile
Out of the 1272 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Ivy Tech Community College landed the #5 spot. Ivy Tech Community College is a public school based in Indianapolis, IN. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete their Teacher Education And Development program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Ivy Tech Community College
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #6 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Based in Menomonie, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. University Of Wisconsin Stout Teacher Education And Development students take on a median of $24,500 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Wisconsin Stout profile
Nhti Concords Community College landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Concord, NH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Students borrow a median of $18,046 to complete their Teacher Education And Development program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,943. That is a strong return on a $18,046 median debt. Read the full report on Nhti Concords Community College
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. The median Teacher Education And Development program debt is $25,719. Median earnings reach $52,021 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,719 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Oshkosh, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete their Teacher Education And Development program here. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumni report median earnings of $55,548 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Moorhead, MN. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Typical Teacher Education And Development student debt is $29,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,527 ten years after entry. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants. Get the full Minnesota State University Moorhead report
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Located in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical Teacher Education And Development student debt is $26,642. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 81%. More on Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Alliant International University placed #12 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Set in San Diego, CA, Alliant International University is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,254. Graduates carry a median of $21,234 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,666. Set against $21,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Alliant International University report
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #13 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Located in Green Bay, WI, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Graduates carry a median of $24,477 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,528. That is a strong return on a $24,477 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Wichita State University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Wichita, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Graduates carry a median of $22,145 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,532. That is a strong return on a $22,145 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants. Read more about Wichita State University
Grand Valley State University landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Grand Valley State University alumni report median earnings of $56,118 a decade after entry. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants. See the full Grand Valley State University profile
Rowan University landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Glassboro, NJ, Rowan University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Rowan University Teacher Education And Development students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,988 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Rowan University profile
University Of Florida landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. The median Teacher Education And Development program debt is $15,275. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,275 median debt. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Florida
University Of Louisville offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. This public school is set in Louisville, KY. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,899 ten years after entry. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%. Read more about University Of Louisville
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a public school based in Springfield, MO. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $30,294 to complete their Teacher Education And Development program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants. See the full Missouri State University Springfield profile
University Of Georgia placed #20 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. The median Teacher Education And Development program debt is $20,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,726 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 38% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Kansas State University landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Kansas State University Teacher Education And Development students take on a median of $22,814 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,262. That is a strong return on a $22,814 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants. See the full Kansas State University profile
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in San Antonio, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete their Teacher Education And Development program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,131. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants. More on The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Arizona State University placed #23 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. The median Teacher Education And Development program debt is $21,842. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%. Read the full report on Arizona State University
Kent State University At Kent came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Based in Kent, OH, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Kent State University At Kent alumni report median earnings of $45,388 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%. Read more about Kent State University At Kent
Temple University placed #25 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Temple University alumni report median earnings of $63,727 a decade after entry. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Temple University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Teacher Education And Development Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Median earnings reach $69,020 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Viterbo University came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in La Crosse, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $34,250. Students borrow a median of $29,107 to complete their Teacher Education And Development program here. Median earnings reach $55,660 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $29,107 median debt. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Viterbo University report
St Catherine University came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. St Catherine University Teacher Education And Development students take on a median of $28,000 in debt. St Catherine University alumni report median earnings of $59,282 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%. More on St Catherine University
Madonna University landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Livonia, MI, Madonna University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,440. The median Teacher Education And Development program debt is $26,896. Median earnings reach $59,058 ten years out. Set against $26,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 63% of those who apply are admitted. More on Madonna University
University Of Rio Grande came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Set in Rio Grande, OH, University Of Rio Grande is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,560. Students borrow a median of $27,044 to complete their Teacher Education And Development program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,478 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full University Of Rio Grande report
Bridgewater State University offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Bridgewater, MA, Bridgewater State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical Teacher Education And Development student debt is $27,000. Bridgewater State University alumni report median earnings of $57,466 a decade after entry. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University has an acceptance rate of 88%. More on Bridgewater State University
Endicott College placed #32 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Based in Beverly, MA, Endicott College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,650. The median Teacher Education And Development program debt is $25,973. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Endicott College admits about 71% of applicants. More on Endicott College
Providence College placed #33 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. Students from in state pay about $63,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,833 to complete their Teacher Education And Development program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $87,054 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted. See the full Providence College profile
Adrian College
Adrian College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Get the full Adrian College report
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Bethel University Minnesota report
Caldwell College
Caldwell College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. See the full Caldwell College profile
Gallaudet University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. See the full Gallaudet University profile
Harding University offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. See the full Harding University profile
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
Huertas Junior College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. Read more about Huertas Junior College
Lakeland College
Lakeland College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Lakeland College
Mount Olive College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. More on Mount Olive College
Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. See the full Rutgers University New Brunswick profile
Touro College
Touro College placed #45 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Read more about Touro College
Wiley College
Wiley College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. Get the full Wiley College report
Gettysburg College offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. See the full Gettysburg College profile
Goshen College
Goshen College placed #48 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Read more about Goshen College
Hobe Sound Bible College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. Get the full Hobe Sound Bible College report
Kennesaw State University placed #50 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Read more about Kennesaw State University
Related Teacher Education And Development Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Teacher Education And Development Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Teacher Education And Development Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Teacher Education And Development Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Teacher Education And Development Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Teacher Education And Development Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Teacher Education And Development Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Teacher Education And Development Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 1272 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).