2023 Best Value Teaching Schools
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
Today's teaching students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Teaching Degree Search has developed this Best Value Teaching Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 958 schools in the United States to see which programs offered the best value experiences for teaching students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Teaching Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found La Salle University to be the best value school for teaching students in the United States. La Salle is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 175 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at La Salle are $33,150 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,877 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $410, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, La Salle graduates make an average of $49,822 annually.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Cabrini University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools list. Cabrini University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Radnor, Pennsylvania. It awarded 177 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cabrini University are $33,845 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,356 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $348 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Cabrini University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,679 during the early years of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Santa Fe Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools list. SFCC is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 142 degrees to qualified students.
SFCC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,995 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $19,196 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, SFCC graduates make an average of $40,512 annually.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, SFCC also did well on our Best Teaching Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Northeast Community College is a great place for teaching students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Located in Norfolk, Nebraska, the medium-sized public school handed out 66 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northeast are $5,010 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,035 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Northeast graduates make an average of $34,151 annually.
Northeast also claimed a spot on our Best Teaching Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Jamestown. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools list. University of Jamestown is a small private not-for-profit school located in Jamestown, North Dakota that handed out 44 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UJ are $23,498 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,886 in student loans.After graduating from UJ, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,749 during the early years of their career.
In addition to its great value ranking, UJ is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools list.
Spokane Falls Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools list. This small public school is located in Spokane, Washington, and it awarded 107 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Spokane Falls Community College are $5,135 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,790 in student loans.After graduating from Spokane Falls Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,050 during the early years of their career.
Spokane Falls Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Teaching Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Itawamba Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. ICC is located in Fulton, Mississippi and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ICC are $5,360 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $12,702 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, ICC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,370 during the early year of their career.
Brigham Young University - Idaho came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools ranking. BYU - I is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Rexburg, Idaho. It awarded 380 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BYU - I are $4,416 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,533 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, BYU - I graduates make an average of $37,650 annually.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school handed out 175 degrees in 2020-2021.
NWTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,849 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,377 in student loans.After graduating from NWTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,536 during the early years of their career.
In addition to its great value ranking, NWTC is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools list.
Brigham Young University - Provo ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools list. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Provo, Utah, and it awarded 491 degrees in 2020-2021.
BYU undergraduate students pay an average of $6,120 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $14,534 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, BYU graduates make an average of $46,470 annually.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, BYU also is in the top 20% of our Best Teaching Schools ranking.
Fox Valley Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #11 on the list. Fox Valley Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Appleton, Wisconsin that handed out 124 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at FVTC are $6,861 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,511 in student loans.After graduating from FVTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,943 during the early years of their career.
In addition to its great value ranking, FVTC is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools list.
University of the Cumberlands landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Cumberlands is a private not-for-profit institution located in Williamsburg, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,458 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cumberlands are $9,875 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,361 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $86.After graduating from Cumberlands, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,758 during the early years of their career.
Northcentral Technical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools ranking. Wausau, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Central Technical College are $5,415 per year. On average, students take out $13,759 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from North Central Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,732 during the early years of their career.
Concordia University, Irvine ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools list. Located in Irvine, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 528 degrees in 2020-2021.
Concordia University, Irvine undergraduate students pay an average of $38,740 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,323 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $600. Once they receive their degree, Concordia University, Irvine graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,407 during the early year of their career.
Concordia University, Irvine excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools list.
Stanly Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in Albemarle, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 165 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Stanly Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,245 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $11,203 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Stanly Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,419 during the early year of their career.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Stanly Technical College also did well on our Best Teaching Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Western Governors University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools ranking. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 12,503 students in 2020-2021.
WGU undergraduate students pay an average of $7,452 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $26,218 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WGU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $62,838 during the early years of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, WGU also is in the top 20% of our Best Teaching Schools ranking.
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools list. Located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 51 degrees in 2020-2021.
WCTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,603 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,321 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, WCTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,058 during the early year of their career.
Northwestern College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #18 on the list. Northwestern College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Orange City, Iowa that handed out 182 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NWC are $33,590 per year. Once they receive their degree, NWC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,021 during the early year of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, NWC also is in the top 5% of our Best Teaching Schools ranking.
Pima Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #19 on the list. Pima Community College is a fairly large public school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 85 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Pima County Community College District are $7,566 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,657 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Pima County Community College District graduates make an average of $34,116 annually.
Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #20 on the list. CMU CGES is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fayette, Missouri. It awarded 217 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CMU CGES are $6,720 a year. On average, students take out $25,044 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, CMU CGES graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,784 during the early year of their career.
Read full report on Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies
Essex County College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools ranking. Essex County College is a medium-sized public school located in Newark, New Jersey that handed out 84 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Essex are $8,966 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $11,116 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Essex graduates make an average of $32,750 annually.
Essex also claimed a spot on our Best Teaching Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Minot State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools list. This small public school is located in Minot, North Dakota, and it awarded 132 degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU undergraduate students pay an average of $8,163 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,762 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, MSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,575 during the early year of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, MSU also is in the top 15% of our Best Teaching Schools ranking.
Chadron State College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools list. Chadron State College is a small public school situated in Chadron, Nebraska. It awarded 147 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Chadron State College are $7,206 a year. On average, students take out $22,709 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Chadron State College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,696 during the early years of their career.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Chadron State College also did well on our Best Teaching Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Wayne State College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Located in Wayne, Nebraska, the small public school awarded 334 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WSC are $7,458 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,937 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, WSC graduates make an average of $42,000 annually.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, WSC also did well on our Best Teaching Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Morningside College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools ranking. Morningside is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 314 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Morningside are $35,270 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,099 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $208.After graduating from Morningside, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,189 during the early years of their career.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Teaching Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top Value Teaching Schools in the United States
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best teaching schools ranking:
More Nationwide Rankings
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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