As a theory of value cultivation and a method to guide and promote value formation, value clarification theory advocates the establishment of one’s own values among many value choices by means of individual free choice, analysis, clarification, and evaluation. Value clarification theory has been widely used in Western moral education because of its outstanding humanism, distinct realistic orientation, and strong practicality. However, it neglected the limitations of value relativism as well as the interaction between individual and social culture. To avoid the shortcomings, based on the contemporary reflection of value clarification theory, and based on the current situation of college students’ ideological education in the new era, we can draw inspiration from value clarification theory: educators should uphold correct values, educators should respect the subject status of educated people, education should focus on “clarification process”, and ideological education should return to life itself.