2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in California
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the elementary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
California State University Northridge tops our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools in California. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for elementary education. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno Pacific University earned it the #3 place for elementary education. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Azusa Pacific University earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,458. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $58,302. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at College Of The Desert, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,326, compared with $10,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,826 to complete the elementary education program here. 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.
Azusa Pacific University College placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of San Dimas, Azusa Pacific University College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,360. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $35,625. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University College generally make around $55,054.
University Of Redlands came in at #7 for value in elementary education this year. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,878. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,175. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $59,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Redlands admits about 83% of applicants.
United States University placed #8 among the best values for elementary education. United States University is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,108. Students borrow a median of $32,641 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of United States University earn a median of $120,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
William Jessup University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, William Jessup University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,150. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $20,718 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from William Jessup University generally make around $50,502. That is a strong return on a $20,718 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of The Pacific earned the #10 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $77,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of La Verne came in at #11 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,470 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,364. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Concordia University Irvine came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,480. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $58,590. Set against $26,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Irvine admits about 66% of applicants.
California Baptist University earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $31,250. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $29,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Biola University earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,984. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,094 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
National University landed the #15 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $33,989. Elementary Education graduates of National University earn a median of $50,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,989 median debt.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,540. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $52,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westmont College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,584. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,773 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Westmont College generally make around $44,240. Set against $23,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Chapman University earned the #18 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,984. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,657. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $59,689. Set against $21,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chapman University admits about 65% of applicants.
Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #19 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,250 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $46,986. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Clara University landed the #20 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $68,067. Set against $20,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
More Elementary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
