[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 899 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
Finding the Best Value Elementary Education School for You
The elementary education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Elementary Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Elementary Education Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,862. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,574. That is a strong return on a $10,862 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $9,916. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $57,296 early in their careers. Set against $9,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $74,192. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $13,100 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $46,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Indian River State College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,492. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,612. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $19,900 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $49,672. Set against $19,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College placed #8 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,967. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,267. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida landed the #9 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,063 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $48,506. That is a strong return on a $18,063 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College placed #10 among the best values for elementary education. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $62,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Edison State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $12,750. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,448. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #12 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $27,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $60,000. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $8,999. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,854. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,872. Set against $11,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #17 for value in elementary education this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $9,625 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $29,708. That is a strong return on a $9,625 median debt.
Northwest Florida State College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,583, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,000. Elementary Education graduates of Northwest Florida State College earn a median of $44,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
California State University Fullerton ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $14,542. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $47,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Springfield Technical Community College earned the #21 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $5,881 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Springfield Technical Community College earn a median of $28,769 early in their careers. Set against $5,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College earned the #22 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,942. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Essex Community College earned the #23 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,129 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $44,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Atlantic University placed #24 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,661 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Pima Community College came in at #25 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $18,417. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,485. That is a strong return on a $18,417 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in elementary education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 899 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 899 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary education education at a price that pays off.
