2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in New York
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
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2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in New York
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 earned the #1 spot for value among elementary education schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,500. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,986 early in their careers. 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,862. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $9,916 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $57,296. That is a strong return on a $9,916 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $13,100. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $46,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $13,213. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $62,489. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #6 spot for elementary education value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. 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. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Cuny York College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $49,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,052. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,250. Elementary Education graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $33,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College landed the #10 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $63,434. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Monroe College Main Campus landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,464 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,450 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Monroe College Main Campus earn a median of $58,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,742 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,329. Set against $23,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam placed #13 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $42,569. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,999 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,659. That is a strong return on a $26,999 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh placed #15 among the best values for elementary education. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,217. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,657. That is a strong return on a $24,217 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #16 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $32,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny At Albany earned the #17 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,736. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Boricua College placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. Boricua College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $13,025 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,334 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $60,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Niagara University landed the #19 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,345. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,026 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,918. Set against $26,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Geneseo earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $31,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Canisius College landed the #21 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,200 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Canisius College generally make around $42,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
St Francis College came in at #22 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, St Francis College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,775 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,966 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from St Francis College generally make around $40,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,784. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta placed #24 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $30,410. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Oneonta admits about 70% of applicants.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College placed #25 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,450. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,100. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,519. That is a strong return on a $26,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for elementary education this year:
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
