This research inquires into the values held by the students of the Free Teacher Education (FTE) program which piloted in the top normal universities in China. This study is based on in-depth interviews with 19 students enrolled in the FTE program. The findings exhibit a value conflict between the students’ educational purposes and the goals of the FTE program. While the program aims at educational equality, the majority of the respondents are driven to join the program and to make their career choices primarily by the goal of upward social mobility.