by our College Data Analytics Team
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in elementary education, no school beat Mid South Community College this year. Mid South Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of West Memphis. Students from in state pay about $3,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,824. Median earnings reach $31,857 ten years out.
A rank of #2 makes Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas one of the best values for elementary education. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of De Queen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $5,190. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $7,018. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $35,035. That is a strong return on a $7,018 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Arkansas Northeastern College, which ranked #3. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school located in the town of Blytheville. Students from in state pay about $2,570 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,944 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Arkansas Northeastern College generally make around $23,575. Set against $7,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Arkansas Fort Smith one of the best values for elementary education. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, compared with $12,182 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $20,304 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $40,565. That is a strong return on a $20,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #5 makes Arkansas Tech University one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,351 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $37,244. Set against $24,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,375, with out-of-state students paying around $17,955. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,267. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earn a median of $35,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,267 median debt. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff admits about 41% of applicants.
Williams Baptist College landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the rural area of Walnut Ridge, Williams Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,070. Students borrow a median of $18,933 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Williams Baptist College generally make around $31,309. Set against $18,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,316 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $41,193. That is a strong return on a $16,316 median debt. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock landed the #9 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,911 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Little Rock generally make around $41,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
University Of Central Arkansas came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $42,660. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Henderson State University placed #11 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,244, while out-of-state students pay about $10,620. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Henderson State University generally make around $40,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $26,141 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Harding University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,639. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,416. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.
John Brown University placed #14 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,756 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,216 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,188. That is a strong return on a $25,216 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Ouachita Baptist University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Ouachita Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Arkadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of $41,595 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ouachita Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.