Skip to main content

Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

St Petersburg College defies expectations by essentially paying students to pursue teacher education programs, with graduates receiving a net negative cost of $52. This unusual financial arrangement contrasts sharply with other schools where costs range up to $5,455 at Trinity International University-Florida. The teaching profession faces critical shortages nationwide, with states desperately seeking qualified educators who can work in specialized areas like special education, English language learning, and early childhood development. Public colleges dominate this field, offering teacher preparation at dramatically lower costs than private institutions. CUNY schools demonstrate how urban systems can produce educators affordably, with four campuses making the top rankings despite serving high-cost metropolitan areas. Earnings potential varies significantly, from $28,236 at California State University-Dominguez Hills to $47,260 at Turtle Mountain Community College. Regional demand for teachers drives these employment outcomes, with coastal markets typically offering higher compensation but also steeper living costs.
50
Programs
$-52 – $10,319
Net Price Range
$36,759
Avg. Program Earnings
46.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-52 $41,565 $2,682 37.5%
2 $832 $34,908 $3,120 61.3%
3 $3,061 $46,087 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
4 $2,760 $39,369 $2,878 32.4%
5 $2,446 $33,993 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
6 $3,474 $47,260 $2,626 54.5%
7 $3,486 $40,455 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
8 $2,943 $32,350 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
9 $3,613 $32,485 $4,420 30.6%
10 $5,115 $42,682 $7,490 32.8%
11 $3,830 $29,995 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
12 $3,659 $28,236 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
13 $4,113 $28,753 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
14 $4,694 $32,467 $3,283 29.6%
15 $5,455 $36,560 $14,180
16 $5,970 $39,119 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
17 $6,351 $41,007 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
18 $5,554 $34,381 $3,246 42.9%
19 $5,808 $35,701 $2,830 45.7%
20 $4,734 $28,598 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
21 $6,007 $35,864 $7,001 25.6% 45.0%
22 $7,233 $42,682 $6,960 31.0% 62.7%
23 $6,276 $34,978 $8,179 44.7% 85.8%
24 $7,201 $40,017 $3,106 41.2%
25 $8,001 $42,611 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
26 $6,199 $32,498 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
27 $6,352 $32,569 $7,200 33.3% 74.2%
28 $8,249 $41,961 $3,401 38.5%
29 $8,365 $42,235 $7,050 35.5% 57.7%
30 $8,130 $40,589 $7,327 33.2% 88.9%
31 $7,360 $36,642 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
32 $6,747 $32,510 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
33 $7,563 $36,132 $5,612 28.6% 96.9%
34 $5,671 $26,933 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
35 $7,168 $33,731 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
36 $8,463 $38,289 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
37 $9,133 $41,021 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
38 $8,364 $37,424 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
39 $10,011 $44,457 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
40 $9,634 $42,682 $8,640 36.7%
41 $5,918 $26,160 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
42 $9,110 $39,729 $14,288 61.9% 77.7%
43 $7,131 $30,988 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
44 $8,155 $35,060 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
45 $8,463 $36,205 $6,270 40.7%
46 $8,257 $34,526 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
47 $10,319 $43,018 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
48 $10,145 $41,937 $5,068 35.4% 56.3%
49 $10,043 $39,956 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
50 $7,237 $28,598 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes St Petersburg College charge negative tuition for teacher education students?

St Petersburg College shows a net cost of negative $52, meaning students actually receive more in financial aid than they pay in tuition and fees. This occurs when generous state grants, federal aid, and institutional scholarships exceed the college's relatively low $2,682 in-state tuition. The negative cost reflects Florida's investment in addressing teacher shortages through financial incentives. However, graduates earn $41,565 annually, which represents solid middle-income potential for the region.

How do CUNY schools compare for teacher preparation value?

Four CUNY campuses rank among the top teacher education values, with net costs ranging from $2,446 at Hunter College to $5,115 at Staten Island. Hunter College graduates earn $33,993 with relatively low debt of $13,920, while City College produces higher earners at $40,455 with just $9,558 in debt. These schools serve New York's massive public school system, which employs over 75,000 teachers. Acceptance rates vary from 47.86% at Hunter to 69.48% at Queens College.

Is teaching a financially viable career path given these earnings ranges?

Teacher salaries from these programs span $28,236 to $47,260, reflecting significant regional variation in education funding and cost of living. California schools show lower starting salaries around $28,000, but these figures don't account for strong union protections and pension benefits. Turtle Mountain Community College graduates earn the highest at $47,260, likely reflecting rural premium pay and tribal education funding. Most programs produce graduates with manageable debt levels under $20,000.

Does graduation rate predict teaching program quality?

Graduation rates vary from 29.60% at Dalton State College to 61.30% at Chipola College, but lower rates don't necessarily indicate poor programs. Community colleges often serve part-time students who take longer to complete degrees, affecting traditional metrics. Chipola College achieves 61.30% graduation with strong earnings of $34,908, suggesting effective student support. Hunter College combines a 61% graduation rate with reasonable debt levels, indicating both retention and affordability.

Where do teacher education graduates find the best earning potential?

Turtle Mountain Community College produces the highest-earning graduates at $47,260, followed by Texas A&M International at $46,087 in the border region of Laredo. These higher salaries often reflect specialized teaching roles or rural/tribal education premiums that compensate for geographic isolation. Urban areas like New York offer moderate salaries around $30,000-$40,000 but provide extensive professional development and career advancement opportunities. Geographic location significantly impacts both starting salaries and long-term earning potential in education.

More Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Rankings

Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Under $20,000

Related

All Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.