2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Pennsylvania
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Leading the list is Community College Of Philadelphia, our #1 best value for elementary education in Pennsylvania. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $28,805. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Westmoreland County Community College one of the best values for elementary education. 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, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $20,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $42,972. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cedar Crest College came in at #7 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,314. Students borrow a median of $30,759 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cedar Crest College generally make around $67,662. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #8 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Seton Hill University earned the #9 position for value in elementary education this year. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,944. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $27,056. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Francis University earned the #10 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,388 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,729 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $63,097. Set against $30,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Francis University admits about 77% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,263. Elementary Education graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of $45,795 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Kings College earned the #12 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,100. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Kings College earn a median of $35,199 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Marywood University earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,049. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Point Park University placed #14 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,570. Students borrow a median of $28,323 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $35,540. Set against $28,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Geneva College earned the #15 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Beaver Falls, Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Geneva College earn a median of $46,645 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilkes University placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $53,433. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne landed the #17 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Langhorne, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,659 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,212 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,264. Set against $28,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne admits about 88% of applicants.
Temple University landed the #18 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $57,473. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #19 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $59,413. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Chestnut Hill College came in at #20 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,870. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Chestnut Hill College generally make around $45,627. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Chestnut Hill College admits about 74% of applicants.
Saint Josephs University came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,260. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $50,356 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Josephs University admits about 89% of applicants.
Chatham University landed the #22 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,001. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,261 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $61,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chatham University admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $36,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Desales University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Desales University earn a median of $54,798 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University earned the #25 position for value in elementary education this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $57,438 early in their careers. Set against $23,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 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 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
