2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in South Carolina
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
University Of South Carolina Aiken tops our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools in South Carolina. Set in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,760, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,776 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $38,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Coastal Carolina University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,072. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Carolina Upstate one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,375. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Francis Marion University earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Students from in state pay about $11,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $39,122. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Winthrop University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $44,482. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort landed the #6 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,730, compared with $21,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $44,659 early in their careers. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Lander University earned the #7 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, while out-of-state students pay about $21,300. Students borrow a median of $26,075 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.
Southern Wesleyan University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Central. Students from in state pay about $29,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southern Wesleyan University generally make around $45,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
College Of Charleston came in at #9 for value in elementary education this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,423 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Bob Jones University placed #10 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,892. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $34,152. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Greenville University earned the #11 position for value in elementary education this year. North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Tigerville. In-state tuition and fees average $25,800. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of North Greenville University earn a median of $39,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Clemson University landed the #12 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,783. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $41,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Charleston Southern University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,520. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Charleston Southern University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #14 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $43,172 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Anderson University Sc landed the #15 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,970. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $40,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Columbia International University landed the #16 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,900. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,667 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Columbia International University earn a median of $40,416 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,667 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
