[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 1259 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in elementary education in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $10,862 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $37,223. Set against $10,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
St Petersburg College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $19,900 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $49,672 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $13,100 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $37,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Indian River State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $48,612 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
California State University Northridge placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. 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. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $74,192. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $18,063 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $46,209 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,063 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Texas A And M International University landed the #8 spot for elementary education value 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. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,854. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,997. That is a strong return on a $11,854 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,661 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,178. Set against $17,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Edison State College came in at #11 for value in elementary education this year. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $3,401 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $51,448 early in their careers. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton landed the #12 spot for elementary education value this year. 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. 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.
Florida Gateway College earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Students borrow a median of $8,669 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. Set against $8,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Daytona State College earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $17,308. Elementary Education graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $44,869 early in their careers. Set against $17,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western New Mexico University came in at #15 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Florida State College came in at #16 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,583, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $44,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. 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. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Cuny York College came in at #18 for value in elementary education this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,559. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Florida International University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, 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. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Chipola College earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $9,097 in student loans. 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.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg landed the #21 spot for elementary education value 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. Elementary Education graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $35,543 early in their careers. Set against $11,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $11,625 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $49,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #23 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $8,450. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $25,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,705. Elementary Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #25 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. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $41,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary education value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1259 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 477 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
