2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Florida
[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 35 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Florida
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
Indian River State College earned the #1 spot for value among elementary education schools in Florida. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,612. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Petersburg College earned it the #2 place for elementary education. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #3 place for elementary education. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,967. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,063 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $48,506 early in their careers. Set against $18,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Northwest Florida State College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. 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. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $9,097 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $43,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
Edison State College placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $12,750. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $51,448. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Florida State College landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,165, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. 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.
Florida Gateway College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Students borrow a median of $8,669 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Florida Gateway College generally make around $41,947. Set against $8,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $17,661 to complete the elementary education program here. 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.
Daytona State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,308 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,869. That is a strong return on a $17,308 median debt.
Florida International University came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $16,490 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $48,461 early in their careers. Set against $16,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,995 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,532 early in their careers. Set against $20,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Tallahassee Community College earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,062 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,722 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Tallahassee Community College generally make around $25,628. That is a strong return on a $16,722 median debt.
Polk State College placed #15 among the best values for elementary education. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Polk State College earn a median of $48,210 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of West Florida came in at #16 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the elementary education program here. 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 North Florida landed the #17 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. 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. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,250. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,686. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University landed the #19 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $45,696. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Seminole State College Of Florida ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $18,419. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,049. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #21 spot for elementary education value this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,489 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earned the #22 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,824 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $50,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Stetson University ranked #23 on our 2027 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. In-state tuition and fees average $57,410. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Stetson University generally make around $50,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Warner University came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Warner University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lake Wales. Students from in state pay about $29,992 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,814 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $38,856. Set against $24,814 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Saint Leo University came in at #25 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. In-state tuition and fees average $30,000. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,937 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,065. That is a strong return on a $23,937 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary education value ranking:
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
