2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Ohio
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
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2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Ohio
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
Ohio University Zanesville Campus tops our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools in Ohio. Located in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,050 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Ohio University Zanesville Campus earn a median of $44,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Ohio University Chillicothe Campus one of the best values for elementary education. Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chillicothe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,050. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus generally make around $43,704. Set against $23,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Ohio University Southern Campus, which ranked #3. Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Ironton. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,050. Elementary Education graduates of Ohio University Southern Campus earn a median of $43,704 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 University Of Cincinnati Clermont College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $29,867. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $29,500. Elementary Education graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $33,735 early in their careers. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ohio State University Lima Campus came in at #6 for value in elementary education this year. Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Lima. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Students borrow a median of $25,432 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Ohio State University Lima Campus generally make around $36,483. Set against $25,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wright State University Lake Campus placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the rural area of Celina, Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,072 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $36,332. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Cleveland State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,648. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,693 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $25,432 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $36,483. That is a strong return on a $25,432 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $29,867 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wittenberg University landed the #12 spot for elementary education value this year. Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $45,940. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Wittenberg University generally make around $36,752. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Wittenberg University admits about 72% of applicants.
Bluffton University landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the rural area of Bluffton, Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,362 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Bluffton University earn a median of $41,821 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Walsh University came in at #14 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,030. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Walsh University generally make around $34,355. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Hiram College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Hiram College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hiram. Students from in state pay about $27,397 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,144. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Hiram College generally make around $48,572. Set against $27,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,050 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,736. Set against $23,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ashland University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $48,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University earned the #18 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,193 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,268. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Mount Union came in at #19 for value in elementary education this year. University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alliance. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,600. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $38,277. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,050. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cedarville University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-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 $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $37,102. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
Franklin University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $9,577. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $35,890. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $57,471. Set against $35,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $21,313 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $34,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Findlay came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,164 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from The University Of Findlay generally make around $33,154. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Miami University Oxford came in at #25 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,700. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 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
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
