[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 706 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
For return on investment in elementary education, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,862 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $37,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $74,192 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $9,916 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $39,169 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 Cuny Queens College earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $13,100. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $37,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indian River State College earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,612. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Miami Dade College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. 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. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,900 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida placed #8 among the best values for elementary education. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,063 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $46,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Edison State College came in at #9 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,401, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $12,750. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,448. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
Texas A And M International University came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #11 position for value in elementary education this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,854. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $41,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Northwest Florida State College came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,583, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. 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.
Utah Valley University landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $49,497. Set against $11,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #14 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,661 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $50,178 early in their careers. Set against $17,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Daytona State College placed #15 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Students borrow a median of $17,308 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton came in at #16 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,542 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $28,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in elementary education this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $41,896 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,995 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Cuny York College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $49,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Florida Gateway College placed #20 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Students borrow a median of $8,669 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,947. Set against $8,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University landed the #21 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,490 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $44,522 early in their careers. Set against $16,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg came in at #22 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Students borrow a median of $11,182 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College landed the #23 spot for elementary education value this year. South Florida State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Avon Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,165, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $8,204. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $60,917 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Chipola College came in at #25 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $9,097. Elementary Education graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $43,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for elementary education this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 706 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 706 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
