2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Indiana
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
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2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Indiana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Leading the list is Purdue University Northwest, our #1 best value for elementary education in Indiana. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $45,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,885 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Southeast earned it the #3 place for elementary education. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,145. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $48,032 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Vincennes University, which ranked #4. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,976. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $48,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East came in at #6 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,866. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $38,610 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Indiana University Northwest placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,646 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $45,459. Set against $18,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Indiana University South Bend earned the #10 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $43,128. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,510. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Goshen College came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Goshen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $71,791. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Goshen College admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,834 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $41,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,655 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $48,051 early in their careers. Set against $24,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,741. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $49,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Students borrow a median of $24,823 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $32,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,823 median debt.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,520 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $57,192. Set against $27,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne admits about 96% of applicants.
Oakland City University placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the rural area of Oakland City, Oakland City University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,900 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,266 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $62,655. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland City University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Evansville came in at #19 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,172. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $59,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Evansville admits about 78% of applicants.
Valparaiso University placed #20 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,450. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $45,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
Bethel College Mishawaka earned the #21 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Bethel College Mishawaka earn a median of $45,379 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bethel College Mishawaka admits about 98% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary landed the #22 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Indianapolis earned the #23 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,200. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $45,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Indianapolis admits about 66% of applicants.
Hanover College placed #24 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Hanover, Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,698 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Calumet College Of Saint Joseph came in at #25 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Whiting, Calumet College Of Saint Joseph is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,850. Students borrow a median of $24,428 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $66,716. That is a strong return on a $24,428 median debt.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in elementary education:
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
