2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Wisconsin
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Wisconsin
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
Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Parkside, our #1 best value for elementary education in Wisconsin. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,485. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $24,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin River Falls one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $43,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $28,687. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $48,843. Set against $28,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $44,453 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at University Of Wisconsin Superior, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $32,774 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $45,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #6 for value in elementary education this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,240 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,087. That is a strong return on a $25,240 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Carroll University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $45,253 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #8 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $22,785 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $51,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,785 median debt. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #9 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $45,906. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #10 among the best values for elementary education. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,000. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $39,290 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $44,178. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ripon College came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,973 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Ripon College generally make around $35,385. Set against $26,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Viterbo University came in at #13 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $29,107. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Viterbo University generally make around $49,498. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Marian University Wisconsin ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Fond Du Lac, Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,204. Students borrow a median of $27,242 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Marian University Wisconsin generally make around $72,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Alverno College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,086. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $30,584. Elementary Education graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $47,918 early in their careers. Set against $30,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.
Wisconsin Lutheran College landed the #16 spot for elementary education value this year. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,110. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Wisconsin Lutheran College generally make around $49,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lakeland College placed #17 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the rural area of Plymouth, Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,396. Students borrow a median of $29,722 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Lakeland College generally make around $52,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Maranatha Baptist Bible College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Watertown. In-state tuition and fees average $21,550. Elementary Education graduates of Maranatha Baptist Bible College earn a median of $56,298 early in their careers. Maranatha Baptist Bible College admits about 72% of applicants.
Edgewood College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Edgewood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $35,860. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Edgewood College generally make around $46,458. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Norbert College landed the #20 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,580. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,823. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Norbert College admits about 86% of applicants.
Carthage College landed the #21 spot for elementary education value this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $38,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,954 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Marquette University earned the #22 position for value in elementary education this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,170. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $45,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Wisconsin came in at #23 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,291. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Concordia University Wisconsin admits about 78% of applicants.
More Elementary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
