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Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges

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

CUNY Hunter College delivers the most compelling value proposition in teacher education, combining a net price of just $2,446 with the highest graduate earnings at $55,286. This stark contrast highlights how location and institutional efficiency can dramatically impact return on investment in education programs. The CUNY system dominates the affordability market, claiming four of the top five spots with net costs under $4,000, while their graduates enter a job market where New York State employs over 200,000 teachers across varied subject areas. The earnings gap tells an equally striking story, with Hunter College graduates earning nearly twice as much as those from California State University-Fullerton, despite similar program costs. Regional differences become apparent when comparing acceptance rates, as competitive programs like University of Florida maintain a 23% acceptance rate while producing graduates earning $41,193. These variations reflect both state funding models and local demand for specialized subject area teachers, from STEM fields to multilingual education.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $13,550
Net Price Range
$38,761
Avg. Program Earnings
51.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $55,286 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $49,019 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $3,482 $39,369 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
4 $3,830 $41,565 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
5 $5,202 $39,523 $2,764 42.5%
6 $6,351 $41,193 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
7 $4,734 $29,685 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
8 $6,199 $38,289 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
9 $6,352 $37,208 $7,200 33.3% 74.2%
10 $6,480 $37,856 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
11 $8,249 $45,305 $3,401 38.5%
12 $8,001 $42,682 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
13 $5,646 $28,960 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
14 $6,747 $33,993 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
15 $8,155 $40,896 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
16 $7,131 $33,993 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
17 $8,257 $38,829 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
18 $8,364 $37,856 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
19 $8,463 $38,092 $6,270 40.7%
20 $8,837 $39,369 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
21 $7,168 $31,423 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
22 $10,319 $44,835 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
23 $11,257 $46,673 $8,460 52.0% 71.2%
24 $5,918 $24,035 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
25 $9,287 $37,208 $8,032 32.7% 70.1%
26 $10,043 $39,564 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
27 $10,353 $39,189 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
28 $10,997 $41,527 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
29 $10,442 $39,276 $8,300 50.9%
30 $12,093 $45,435 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
31 $9,918 $36,914 $3,571 44.5% 89.7%
32 $13,550 $50,105 $12,383 16.8% 62.7%
33 $7,669 $28,055 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
34 $7,237 $26,353 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
35 $10,988 $39,969 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
36 $10,170 $36,848 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
37 $11,408 $41,230 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
38 $10,722 $38,000 $6,391 43.0%
39 $10,097 $35,274 $6,906 37.0%
40 $11,592 $39,729 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
41 $12,168 $41,406 $13,426 43.4% 82.6%
42 $11,432 $38,409 $6,770 59.0% 83.9%
43 $10,904 $36,521 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
44 $11,366 $37,980 $5,970 35.4% 56.4%
45 $11,513 $38,289 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
46 $12,437 $41,193 $49,834 79.2% 61.2%
47 $11,779 $38,559 $6,938 59.8% 96.0%
48 $13,046 $42,682 $9,578 52.6%
49 $12,313 $40,228 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
50 $9,962 $32,186 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools such strong values for teacher education programs?

CUNY schools offer strong affordability with net prices ranging from $2,446 at Hunter to $4,734 at York College. Their graduates earn between $29,685 and $55,286, with Hunter College leading at the top of that range. The system benefits from New York's substantial education funding and high teacher salaries. Four CUNY campuses appear in the top five most affordable options nationally.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in teacher education?

University of Florida demonstrates the strongest correlation with a 91.5% graduation rate and $6,351 net cost, proving that moderate investment can yield excellent completion rates. CUNY Hunter achieves a solid 61% graduation rate at the lowest cost point of $2,446. Programs under $4,000 show graduation rates ranging from 30% to 61%, indicating that ultra-low cost doesn't guarantee poor outcomes. California State University-Fullerton graduates 69% of students despite having the lowest earnings at $28,960.

Is there significant regional variation in teacher education program costs?

Florida programs show the widest cost range, from Indian River State's $5,202 to Florida SouthWestern's $8,249 net price. New York maintains consistency with CUNY schools clustering between $2,446 and $4,734. California and New Mexico fall in the middle range around $6,000 to $7,000. Oklahoma's Southeastern State offers competitive pricing at $6,352 with a 74% acceptance rate.

Does acceptance rate indicate program quality in teacher education?

University of Florida maintains the most selective admission at 23.35% acceptance while delivering a 91.5% graduation rate and $41,193 earnings. Eastern New Mexico operates with similar selectivity at 27.55% but shows lower outcomes across metrics. California State University-Fresno accepts 95% of applicants yet maintains a respectable 54.8% graduation rate. The data suggests selectivity alone doesn't determine program effectiveness or graduate success.

Where do teacher education graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

New York leads with CUNY Hunter graduates earning $55,286, followed by Brooklyn College at $49,019. Florida programs produce mixed results, with SouthWestern State graduates earning $45,305 compared to University of Florida's $41,193. California shows the lowest earnings at Fullerton with $28,960 despite the state's high cost of living. Geographic location appears to influence earnings more than program reputation or cost.

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