2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Kean University the best value for a degree in elementary education in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $60,910. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
New Jersey City University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $74,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Montclair State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,369. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Saint Peters College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,627 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,046. Set against $26,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,671 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $59,208 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Centenary College placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,732. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $60,913. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #7 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,014 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $48,545. Set against $24,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Caldwell College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,848. Students borrow a median of $26,188 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Caldwell College generally make around $48,946. That is a strong return on a $26,188 median debt. Caldwell College admits about 71% of applicants.
Rowan University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $64,645. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #10 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,120. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $60,618. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Rider University came in at #11 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,466. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $57,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The College Of New Jersey ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $58,526. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Seton Hall University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $56,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
Monmouth University landed the #14 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,847 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $60,663 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,847 median debt. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
[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.
