2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 240 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region
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 Indian River State College this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $48,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $19,900 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $49,672 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Miami Dade College one of the best values for elementary education. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $18,063. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,506. That is a strong return on a $18,063 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Edison State College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,401, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,448. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #6 for value in elementary education this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,661 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,178. Set against $17,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Florida State College landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Northwest Florida State College earn a median of $44,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #8 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,629. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Itawamba Community College landed the #9 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $20,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,532. Set against $20,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Florida International University earned the #11 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $16,490. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,461. Set against $16,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Daytona State College earned the #12 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Students borrow a median of $17,308 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $44,869. That is a strong return on a $17,308 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,278. Elementary Education graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $26,775 early in their careers. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gateway College came in at #14 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,669 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. Set against $8,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida landed the #15 spot for elementary education value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $50,686 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $45,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
South Florida State College earned the #17 position for value in elementary education this year. South Florida State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Avon Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,204 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $45,639 early in their careers. Set against $8,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg earned the #18 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Students borrow a median of $11,182 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $35,543 early in their careers. Set against $11,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,097 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $43,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Polk State College came in at #20 for value in elementary education this year. Polk State College is a large public school located in the city of Winter Haven. Students from in state pay about $2,694 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,818 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Polk State College generally make around $48,210. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holmes Community College came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Students borrow a median of $6,200 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $18,553. Set against $6,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Georgia landed the #22 spot for elementary education value this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,402. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of North Florida landed the #23 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,097 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $48,255 early in their careers. Set against $19,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Dalton State College placed #24 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,400 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $39,889 early in their careers. Set against $18,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #25 for value in elementary education this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $13,640. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Set against $13,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary education value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 240 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 240 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.
