2026 Best Value Teacher Education And Development Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Teacher Education And Development associate’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1272 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed 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 Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Itawamba Community College this year in the United States. Located in Fulton, MS, Itawamba Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete their Teacher Education And Development program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $32,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Itawamba Community College
Out of the 1272 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Spokane Falls Community College landed the #2 spot. Set in Spokane, WA, Spokane Falls Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,031 to complete their Teacher Education And Development program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,955. That is a strong return on a $17,031 median debt. Get the full Spokane Falls Community College report
Out of the 1272 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff landed the #3 spot. Set in Poplar Bluff, MO, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete their Teacher Education And Development program here. Median earnings reach $32,442 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. See the full Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff profile
Northeast Community College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Teacher Education And Development ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Norfolk, NE. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical Teacher Education And Development student debt is $11,937. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,634 ten years after entry. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Northeast Community College
Out of the 1272 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Essex County College landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Newark, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical Teacher Education And Development student debt is $12,472. Essex County College alumni report median earnings of $37,230 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt. Read the full report on Essex County College
Sinclair Community College landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Dayton, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. The median Teacher Education And Development program debt is $12,525. Sinclair Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,558 a decade after entry. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Sinclair Community College profile
Carl Albert State College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. Located in Poteau, OK, Carl Albert State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,708 for out-of-state students. Typical Teacher Education And Development student debt is $10,583. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,117. That is a strong return on a $10,583 median debt. Get the full Carl Albert State College report
Gloucester County College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Sewell, NJ, Gloucester County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Students borrow a median of $13,236 to complete their Teacher Education And Development program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,751 ten years after entry. Set against $13,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Gloucester County College
Clark College placed #10 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Based in Vancouver, WA, Clark College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,233, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. Typical Teacher Education And Development student debt is $15,432. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,356 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,432 median debt. Read the full report on Clark College
Bucks County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Newtown, PA, Bucks County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Bucks County Community College Teacher Education And Development students take on a median of $13,068 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,324. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt. Read more about Bucks County Community College
Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Dover, DE, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Typical Teacher Education And Development student debt is $11,154. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Butler Community College placed #15 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Set in El Dorado, KS, Butler Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,271. Butler Community College Teacher Education And Development students take on a median of $16,670 in debt. Median earnings reach $41,206 ten years out. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Butler Community College profile
Montgomery College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Rockville, MD, Montgomery College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,159. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Montgomery College
Murray State University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Based in Murray, KY, Murray State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete their Teacher Education And Development program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,737 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. More on Murray State University
Western Kentucky University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. Western Kentucky University is a public school based in Bowling Green, KY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical Teacher Education And Development student debt is $30,375. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Western Kentucky University report
Eastern Kentucky University placed #19 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Eastern Kentucky University is a public school based in Richmond, KY. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. The median Teacher Education And Development program debt is $19,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,795 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University has an acceptance rate of 78%. Read more about Eastern Kentucky University
Brookdale Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. Located in Lincroft, NJ, Brookdale Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. The median Teacher Education And Development program debt is $12,651. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,379. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt. See the full Brookdale Community College profile
Suffolk County Community College landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Selden, NY, Suffolk County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Suffolk County Community College alumni report median earnings of $49,907 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt. More on Suffolk County Community College
Vincennes University placed #21 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Set in Vincennes, IN, Vincennes University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. The median Teacher Education And Development program debt is $14,506. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,110 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Vincennes University report
Anne Arundel Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Read more about Anne Arundel Community College
East Mississippi Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. Get the full East Mississippi Community College report
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Ivy Tech Community College profile
King College
King College landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about King College
La Roche College
La Roche College placed #24 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Get the full La Roche College report
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Teacher Education And Development Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Midlands Technical College placed #26 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Read the full report on Midlands Technical College
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Saint Louis University Main Campus
Suny At Geneseo
Suny At Geneseo came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Suny At Geneseo
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #29 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Get the full The University Of Texas At Arlington report
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Virginia Commonwealth University
Adams State College landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Adams State College
College Of Saint Mary placed #32 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Get the full College Of Saint Mary report
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. See the full Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College profile
Rutgers University Camden ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools. Get the full Rutgers University Camden report
Saint Francis University placed #35 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Read the full report on Saint Francis University
Saint John Fisher College landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Saint John Fisher College
Texas College
Texas College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read the full report on Texas College
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Viterbo University placed #39 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. More on Viterbo University
William Paterson University Of New Jersey offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. See the full William Paterson University Of New Jersey profile
Appalachian State University offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. More on Appalachian State University
Auburn University landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Auburn University
Aurora University placed #43 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. Read more about Aurora University
Bethany College West Virginia landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Bethany College West Virginia
Carroll University came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Carroll University report
Eastern University offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full Eastern University report
Kansas Wesleyan University placed #47 among the best-value Teacher Education And Development schools in the United States. More on Kansas Wesleyan University
Midway College
Midway College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on Midway College
Saint Norbert College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Saint Norbert College
Siena Heights University came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Siena Heights University
Related Teacher Education And Development Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Teacher Education And Development Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Teacher Education And Development Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Teacher Education And Development Undergraduate Certificate 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
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (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 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).