2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
For return on investment in elementary education, no school beat Community College Of Philadelphia this year. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $14,000. Elementary Education graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $28,805 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Montgomery County Community College one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $20,885. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Francis University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,388. Students borrow a median of $30,729 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Saint Francis University earn a median of $63,097 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,729 median debt. Saint Francis University admits about 77% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Community College Of Beaver County landed the #6 spot for elementary education value this year. Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Monaca. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500, while out-of-state students pay about $20,700. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Community College Of Beaver County generally make around $49,354. That is a strong return on a $14,324 median debt.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,557. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $42,972 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $47,049. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,484 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Geneva College placed #11 among the best values for elementary education. Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beaver Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,450. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Geneva College generally make around $46,645. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt.
Marywood University earned the #12 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Marywood University generally make around $42,049. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants.
Cedar Crest College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,314 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hill University landed the #14 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,944. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Seton Hill University generally make around $27,056. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earned the #15 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Point Park University landed the #16 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,570 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $28,323 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Point Park University earn a median of $35,540 early in their careers. Set against $28,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Lancaster Bible College earned the #17 position for value in elementary education this year. Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,990. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,775. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Kings College landed the #18 spot for elementary education value this year. Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,199. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Wilkes University placed #19 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,496. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $53,433 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Mercyhurst College came in at #20 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,770. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,705 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $46,009. That is a strong return on a $25,705 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Temple University landed the #21 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, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $57,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Valley Forge Christian College came in at #22 for value in elementary education this year. Valley Forge Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Phoenixville. Students from in state pay about $25,240 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,634 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Valley Forge Christian College earn a median of $34,612 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valley Forge Christian College admits about 61% of applicants.
Chestnut Hill College earned the #23 position 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,627. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #24 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $36,248. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne earned the #25 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Langhorne, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,659. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $28,212. Elementary Education graduates of Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne earn a median of $39,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,212 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 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), 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
