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Best Education Schools
The top 25 of 675 U.S. colleges offering an undergraduate Education degree, ranked by early-career earnings and return on investment — using each school's real, aid-adjusted net price rather than sticker tuition.
Is Education worth it?
It absolutely pays off, but only if you play the game correctly. Because public school districts pay teachers based on strict, non-negotiable salary steps tied to years of experience and education level, a degree from an elite private university will not earn you a single dime more than a degree from the local state college. The financial value in this field is overwhelmingly found at low-cost, regional public universities and community colleges offering four-year degrees. If you keep your borrowing to an absolute minimum, the reliable benefits, pension plans, and summers off make teaching a solid financial bet. If you take out massive private loans for a name-brand school, the math will never work in your favor.
| # | School | State | Median earnings | Net price / yr | 10-yr net ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Chicago | IL | $60,917 | $10,974† | +$565K |
| 2 | St Petersburg College | FL | $49,672 | $1,471† | +$491K |
| 3 | Kean University | NJ | $54,447 | $12,447† | +$495K |
| 4 | College of Staten Island CUNY | NY | $41,997 | $5,579† | +$398K |
| 5 | Coppin State University | MD | $53,215 | $9,977† | +$492K |
| 6 | Florida SouthWestern State College | FL | $51,448 | $7,247† | +$485K |
| 7 | Florida Atlantic University | FL | $50,178 | $8,752† | +$467K |
| 8 | University of Maryland-College Park | MD | $53,054 | $15,678† | +$468K |
| 9 | Weber State University | UT | $51,861 | $10,258† | +$478K |
| 10 | Miami Dade College | FL | $51,545 | $5,463† | +$494K |
| 11 | Utah Valley University | UT | $49,497 | $6,376† | +$469K |
| 12 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | NV | $49,475 | $10,359† | +$453K |
| 13 | Pierce College District | WA | $55,849 | $10,222† | +$518K |
| 14 | Western Washington University | WA | $53,133 | $21,193† | +$447K |
| 15 | Indian River State College | FL | $48,612 | $3,815† | +$471K |
| 16 | Indiana University-Northwest | IN | $48,497 | $5,130† | +$464K |
| 17 | Washington State University | WA | $46,998 | $14,971† | +$410K |
| 18 | Pacific Lutheran University | WA | $57,624 | $19,589 | +$498K |
| 19 | University of South Florida | FL | $50,442 | $9,812† | +$465K |
| 20 | Louisiana State University-Shreveport | LA | $48,717 | $7,022† | +$459K |
| 21 | Southern Utah University | UT | $47,832 | $10,462† | +$436K |
| 22 | Saint Johns River State College | FL | $46,448 | $6,135† | +$440K |
| 23 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | AK | $51,619 | $10,892† | +$473K |
| 24 | Florida Gulf Coast University | FL | $50,951 | $12,568† | +$459K |
| 25 | University of Hawaii at Manoa | HI | $50,401 | $15,664† | +$441K |
Top 10 programs by 10-year net ROI
Why these schools rank where they do
The top of this list is dominated by urban public universities and state colleges that act as direct pipelines into massive, relatively well-paying public school districts. The University of Illinois Chicago takes the #1 spot because of its deep, structural ties to Chicago Public Schools. UIC education students spend extensive time student-teaching in one of the nation's largest and most heavily unionized districts, which boasts some of the strongest starting salaries for teachers in the country. Graduates step seamlessly into these roles with a fraction of the debt their peers at private Chicago universities carry.
The most striking trend on this list, however, is the absolute dominance of Florida’s state college system—institutions like St. Petersburg College, Florida SouthWestern, and Miami Dade College. Traditionally two-year schools, these institutions began offering bachelor's degrees in education specifically to combat severe local teacher shortages. They charge rock-bottom tuition and partner directly with their massive county school districts, such as Pinellas and Miami-Dade. You don't see famous, prestigious schools on this ranking because prestige doesn't move the needle on a district salary schedule; ultra-low tuition combined with immediate placement in a desperate local market does.
What is Education?
Education majors train to become the backbone of the American school system, learning how to manage classrooms, design curricula, and shape the academic and social development of students from kindergarten through high school.
Frequently asked questions
Does it matter where I get my teaching degree?
For your starting salary? Not at all. Public school districts use a rigid "step and lane" salary schedule. A first-year teacher from a local state college makes the exact same amount as a first-year teacher from an Ivy League university. You should choose your school based on low tuition, high certification pass rates, and the geographic area where you actually want to live and teach.
Should I get a master's degree right away?
It depends on your state, but often, no. While some states require a master's within your first few years of teaching, many do not. Because districts pay you more for having a master's (moving you to a higher "lane" on the pay scale), a highly popular route is to get your bachelor's as cheaply as possible, start working, and then have your school district help subsidize your master's degree while you teach.
Why are there so many community and state colleges on the top 25 list?
Because the return-on-investment formula rewards low debt above all else. Many states, particularly Florida and Washington, have authorized their community and state colleges to offer four-year bachelor's degrees in high-need fields like education. These programs are intensely practical, strip away the expensive country-club amenities of traditional universities, and focus purely on getting you certified and hired in the local district without a mountain of student loans.