2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Massachusetts
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Massachusetts
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
Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #1 spot for value among elementary education schools in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $27,981 early in their careers. Set against $11,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Springfield Technical Community College one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Students borrow a median of $5,881 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $28,769. That is a strong return on a $5,881 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Essex Community College earned it the #3 place for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Students borrow a median of $10,129 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $44,682 early in their careers. Set against $10,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Bristol Community College one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $7,788. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $21,738. That is a strong return on a $7,788 median debt.
Massachusetts Bay Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,008. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Worcester State University earned the #6 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,971 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $42,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,971 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
North Shore Community College placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $14,145. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $51,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Students borrow a median of $18,235 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $31,901 early in their careers. Set against $18,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fitchburg State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $46,215 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University earned the #10 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $52,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Framingham State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,872 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University placed #12 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $50,137. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Bay Path College placed #13 among the best values for elementary education. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,302. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Bay Path College generally make around $33,330. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,574. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $66,985. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Westfield State University earned the #15 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Boston University came in at #16 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $44,630. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
American International College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,230 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,390 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from American International College generally make around $59,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Quincy College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Quincy, Quincy College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,938. Students borrow a median of $15,600 to complete the elementary education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,506 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gordon College earned the #19 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,700. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Gordon College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,550. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Smith College came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Smith College earn a median of $40,436 early in their careers. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Lasell College placed #22 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,040. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,808. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,766. Set against $26,808 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.
Curry College placed #23 among the best values for elementary education. Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milton. In-state tuition and fees average $47,570. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,571 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Curry College generally make around $59,338. That is a strong return on a $26,571 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Massachusetts came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,960. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,117. Elementary Education graduates of Wheaton College Massachusetts earn a median of $32,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Massachusetts admits about 68% of applicants.
Cambridge College placed #25 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Boston, Cambridge College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,378 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,721 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cambridge College generally make around $56,883. That is a strong return on a $29,721 median debt.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in elementary education:
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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
