2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 124 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,986. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,862. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $48,574 early in their careers. Set against $10,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $9,916. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $57,296. Set against $9,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $13,100. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $46,208. That is a strong return on a $13,100 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. 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. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #6 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,854. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Cuny York College placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Montgomery College landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,230. Elementary Education graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,052. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prince Georges Community College earned the #10 position for value in elementary education this year. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $13,949. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College generally make around $56,960. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $53,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Westmoreland County Community College earned the #12 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
College Of Southern Maryland placed #13 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from College Of Southern Maryland generally make around $51,719. That is a strong return on a $9,728 median debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $8,450 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn a median of $25,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.
Harford Community College placed #15 among the best values for elementary education. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Students borrow a median of $12,624 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Harford Community College earn a median of $50,636 early in their careers. Set against $12,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chesapeake College came in at #16 for value in elementary education this year. Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wye Mills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,274, while out-of-state students pay about $8,768. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Chesapeake College generally make around $52,395. That is a strong return on a $8,380 median debt.
Kean University placed #17 among the best values for elementary education. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $60,910. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #18 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $33,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Washington University came in at #19 for value in elementary education this year. Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $26,610 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,194 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Trinity Washington University earn a median of $64,890 early in their careers. Set against $31,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Montclair State University earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $44,369. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The Community College Of Baltimore County landed the #21 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $18,038. Elementary Education graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #22 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $14,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $28,805. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of The District Of Columbia came in at #23 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,662, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Students borrow a median of $32,304 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $71,998. Set against $32,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wor Wic Community College came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,400. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $13,995 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Wor Wic Community College earn a median of $51,392 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercy College came in at #25 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $63,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in elementary education:
Narrow Elementary Education Schools by State
More Elementary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 124 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 124 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.
