2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Florida
[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 50 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Florida
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 St Petersburg College this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,900 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,492. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,612. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,063 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $48,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Florida Gateway College one of the best values for elementary education. Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,100, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $8,669. Elementary Education graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,661 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $50,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Chipola College came in at #6 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $9,097. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $43,599. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
Northwest Florida State College earned the #7 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,583, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,340. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State College landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,401 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $51,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College earned the #9 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,165, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $8,204. 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.
Daytona State College placed #10 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $17,308. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,869. That is a strong return on a $17,308 median debt.
The University Of West Florida placed #11 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $45,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #12 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $20,995. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $52,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. 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. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $48,461. Set against $16,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Tallahassee Community College landed the #14 spot for elementary education value this year. Tallahassee Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,026, compared with $8,062 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,722 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Tallahassee Community College earn a median of $40,594 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,722 median debt.
Polk State College earned the #15 position for value in elementary education this year. Polk State College is a large public school located in the city of Winter Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,694, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $19,489 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,951. That is a strong return on a $19,489 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #17 position for value in elementary education this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida landed the #18 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,097 in student loans. 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. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #19 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $45,696. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University came in at #20 for value in elementary education this year. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,824 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,736. That is a strong return on a $26,824 median debt. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
Saint Leo University earned the #21 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,000. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,937. Elementary Education graduates of Saint Leo University earn a median of $45,065 early in their careers. Set against $23,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Leo University admits about 78% of applicants.
Warner University landed the #22 spot for elementary education value this year. Warner University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lake Wales. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,992. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,814 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Warner University generally make around $38,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Stetson University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,410. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Stetson University earn a median of $50,826 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota is a large public school located in the suburb of Bradenton. Students from in state pay about $3,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,595. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,360 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of State College Of Florida Manatee Sarasota earn a median of $50,906 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ave Maria University placed #25 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the rural area of Ave Maria, Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,198. Students borrow a median of $19,801 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,866. Set against $19,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ave Maria University admits about 41% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 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
The ranking above is published 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
