2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Lake Washington Institute Of Technology the best value for a degree in elementary education in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Renton Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,542 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $47,473 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Nevada earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,069 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $19,662 early in their careers. Set against $11,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Alaska Southeast placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,527 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $55,216. That is a strong return on a $20,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Great Basin College placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Elko, Great Basin College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,923, with out-of-state students paying around $11,996. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $17,128. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $67,461. That is a strong return on a $17,128 median debt.
Truckee Meadows Community College landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,352, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $12,290. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $52,785. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.
Olympic College placed #9 among the best values for elementary education. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,472, compared with $9,740 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,497. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $57,593. That is a strong return on a $11,497 median debt.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #10 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,151 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $72,769 early in their careers. Set against $16,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Treasure Valley Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Ontario, Treasure Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $6,795. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,530. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,083, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,573 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of $51,619 early in their careers. Set against $24,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #13 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $24,913 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $24,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $20,548. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $55,555 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Clark College landed the #15 spot for elementary education value this year. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,233, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Clark College earn a median of $28,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Heritage University landed the #16 spot for elementary education value this year. Heritage University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Toppenish. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,928. Students borrow a median of $20,049 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Heritage University earn a median of $51,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #17 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $17,342. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $53,957. Set against $17,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University landed the #18 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $20,885 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $33,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,885 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Desert ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,326, while out-of-state students pay about $10,174. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $7,826. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from College Of The Desert generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $7,826 median debt.
Rogue Community College landed the #20 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Grants Pass, Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,256, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,248 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,243. Set against $15,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State University came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $54,794. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Linn Benton Community College landed the #22 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Albany, Linn Benton Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,317, with out-of-state students paying around $16,736. Students borrow a median of $17,959 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Linn Benton Community College generally make around $43,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno Pacific University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $60,890. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
Central Washington University placed #24 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $20,353 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $48,850. Set against $20,353 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Nevada State College came in at #25 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Nevada State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,765, with out-of-state students paying around $21,833. Students borrow a median of $30,037 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Nevada State College generally make around $48,634. Set against $30,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary education value ranking:
Narrow Elementary Education Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary education education at a price that pays off.
