2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Connecticut

[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Connecticut
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Central Connecticut State University tops our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools in Connecticut. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $44,487 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Western Connecticut State University one of the best values for elementary education. Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Danbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,401, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,559. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Eastern Connecticut State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,928 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,978. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $48,624. That is a strong return on a $26,978 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
A rank of #4 makes Southern Connecticut State University one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at University Of Connecticut, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,081 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Bridgeport landed the #6 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,760. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $28,601. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Bridgeport generally make around $49,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Saint Joseph College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,278. Students borrow a median of $27,798 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Saint Joseph College earn a median of $52,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Hartford landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,075. Students borrow a median of $25,648 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $51,123. Set against $25,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Quinnipiac University earned the #9 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,926 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $51,985. Set against $25,926 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Fairfield University placed #10 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,400. Students borrow a median of $26,687 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Fairfield University generally make around $48,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairfield University admits about 33% of applicants.
More Elementary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 11 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.