2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Georgia
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Georgia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Georgia, our #1 best value for elementary education in Georgia. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $19,500. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clayton State University earned it the #2 place for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $35,088. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Dalton State College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,400 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,889. Set against $18,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gordon State College earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Gordon State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Barnesville. Students from in state pay about $3,628 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,948. Students borrow a median of $23,073 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,644. Set against $23,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valdosta State University earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,750. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,722. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Young Harris College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Young Harris. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,305. Students borrow a median of $24,689 to complete the elementary education program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,195. That is a strong return on a $24,689 median debt. Young Harris College admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $18,229. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $59,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,229 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Georgia Gwinnett College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,532, while out-of-state students pay about $13,844. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,590. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,203. That is a strong return on a $21,590 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Georgia Southwestern State University placed #9 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Americus, Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $16,572. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,431. Elementary Education graduates of Georgia Southwestern State University earn a median of $50,897 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,431 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University earned the #10 position for value in elementary education this year. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $30,977 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $55,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Middle Georgia State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $41,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,217 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $50,204. That is a strong return on a $25,217 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Albany State University earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,656, while out-of-state students pay about $17,008. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $31,000. Elementary Education graduates of Albany State University earn a median of $44,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
Wesleyan College placed #14 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Macon, Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,650 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $38,170 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Wesleyan College earn a median of $70,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University came in at #15 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $63,630. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,263. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Shorter University came in at #17 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Rome, Shorter University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $24,630. Students borrow a median of $26,568 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,460. That is a strong return on a $26,568 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Lagrange College came in at #18 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Lagrange, Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,400. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $52,126. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lagrange College admits about 62% of applicants.
Georgia College And State University came in at #19 for value in elementary education this year. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,511. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas University earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Thomas University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $28,500. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $59,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Brenau University came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $33,757 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $38,250 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,002. That is a strong return on a $38,250 median debt. Brenau University admits about 88% of applicants.
Piedmont College came in at #22 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Demorest, Piedmont College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,700. Students borrow a median of $30,026 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Piedmont College generally make around $48,916. Set against $30,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Piedmont College admits about 93% of applicants.
Mercer University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,565 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $47,750 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,846. That is a strong return on a $47,750 median debt. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
Truett Mcconnell College came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Truett Mcconnell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Truett Mcconnell College generally make around $37,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truett Mcconnell College admits about 78% of applicants.
Covenant College earned the #25 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Lookout Mountain, Covenant College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,040 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,404. Set against $23,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 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
This ranking is produced 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
