2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
Utah Valley University earned the #1 spot for value among elementary education schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,813 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $49,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Snow College one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Laramie County Community College one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,309. Elementary Education graduates of Laramie County Community College earn a median of $51,302 early in their careers. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Wyoming Community College earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Located in the town of Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $10,530. Students borrow a median of $12,628 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Western Idaho placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,626 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,963.
Eastern Wyoming College placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,290 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $7,690. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $34,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Aurora placed #8 among the best values for elementary education. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,365. Elementary Education graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $38,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,365 median debt.
Northwest College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Northwest College is a small public school located in the town of Powell. Students from in state pay about $4,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,262. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,014. That is a strong return on a $12,996 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #10 spot for elementary education value this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $15,335 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $41,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,335 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Red Rocks Community College came in at #11 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. That is a strong return on a $14,471 median debt.
Sheridan College earned the #12 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,130. Students borrow a median of $11,334 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Sheridan College earn a median of $49,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,334 median debt.
Salish Kootenai College landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,311, compared with $11,583 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Salish Kootenai College generally make around $52,607.
Weber State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $56,210. Set against $18,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Denver placed #15 among the best values for elementary education. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,058, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Students borrow a median of $14,375 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $18,399. That is a strong return on a $14,375 median debt.
Casper College earned the #16 position for value in elementary education this year. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,410, compared with $10,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,408 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Casper College generally make around $49,729. That is a strong return on a $10,408 median debt.
Southern Utah University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $13,625. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $47,832. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Morgan Community College earned the #18 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,252, with out-of-state students paying around $16,852. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,746 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Morgan Community College generally make around $70,412. That is a strong return on a $11,746 median debt.
Arapahoe Community College earned the #19 position for value in elementary education this year. Arapahoe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,434, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Students borrow a median of $20,448 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Arapahoe Community College generally make around $47,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinidad State Junior College landed the #20 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,608, while out-of-state students pay about $7,318. Students borrow a median of $10,502 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,086. Set against $10,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pueblo Community College placed #21 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,049, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $26,812. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado Northwestern Community College earned the #22 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,594, compared with $7,304 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,127 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Colorado Northwestern Community College generally make around $56,978. Set against $18,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Governors University placed #23 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,277. Elementary Education graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $74,771 early in their careers. Set against $23,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wyoming came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,250. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $45,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,486. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $43,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in elementary education:
Narrow Elementary Education Schools by State
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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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
