2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in District of Columbia

[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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
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2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in District of Columbia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Trinity Washington University the best value for a degree in elementary education in District of Columbia. Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $31,194 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Trinity Washington University generally make around $64,890. Set against $31,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The District Of Columbia came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,662, while out-of-state students pay about $12,514. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $32,304 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $71,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Catholic University Of America earned it the #3 place for elementary education. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $65,120 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,771 median debt. Catholic University Of America admits about 83% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes American University one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $59,756. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Howard University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,810. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,498 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $58,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Howard University admits about 41% of applicants.
More Elementary Education Rankings
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.