[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 346 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for elementary education in the United States. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,862. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $59,924. Set against $10,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $67,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for elementary education. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $9,916. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $75,423 early in their careers. Set against $9,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,542 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $66,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $13,100 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $55,002. That is a strong return on a $13,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Northridge earned the #6 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $74,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $62,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $18,063. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $50,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #9 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,854 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,747. That is a strong return on a $11,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #10 spot for elementary education value this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $16,008. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $72,769. That is a strong return on a $16,008 median debt. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Weber State University earned the #11 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,670 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $60,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #12 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $70,256. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $16,490 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,399. That is a strong return on a $16,490 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #14 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,250. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $54,726 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $20,995. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $54,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $54,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $43,030. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #18 position for value in elementary education this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $13,640 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $61,361. Set against $13,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #19 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,145 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,145 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $19,500. Elementary Education graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $52,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,516. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $49,318 early in their careers. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Western New Mexico University placed #22 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,855, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,425. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #23 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,388. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Fayetteville State University placed #24 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Students borrow a median of $30,087 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,080. Set against $30,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Murray State University landed the #25 spot for elementary education value this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,324 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. Set against $22,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary education value ranking:
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 · 346 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 346 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).
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
