2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Kentucky
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Kentucky
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
Northern Kentucky University tops our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools in Kentucky. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $41,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Murray State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $40,669. Set against $22,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,725. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #4. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $41,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,292 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $42,941 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,292 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #6 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $22,782. Elementary Education graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $38,571 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown College placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Georgetown. Students from in state pay about $42,840 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Georgetown College earn a median of $43,752 early in their careers. Set against $26,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgetown College admits about 91% of applicants.
Pikeville College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $24,850. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $17,778. Elementary Education graduates of Pikeville College earn a median of $37,784 early in their careers. Set against $17,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lindsey Wilson College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,808. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Lindsey Wilson College generally make around $34,691. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Kentucky came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $42,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Louisville landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Students borrow a median of $23,584 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,558. Set against $23,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Campbellsville University placed #12 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,998. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,125. Elementary Education graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $36,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Alice Lloyd College placed #13 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the rural area of Pippa Passes, Alice Lloyd College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,960. Median earnings reach $40,573 ten years out. Alice Lloyd College admits about 75% of applicants.
Thomas More College landed the #14 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Crestview Hills, Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,025. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Thomas More College generally make around $40,439. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Thomas More College admits about 90% of applicants.
Asbury University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Wilmore, Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,640 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Asbury University generally make around $39,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Asbury University admits about 63% of applicants.
Bellarmine University earned the #16 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $45,567 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bellarmine University admits about 86% of applicants.
Midway College came in at #17 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Midway, Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,110. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $22,563. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,586. That is a strong return on a $22,563 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
