2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Southwest Region
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 79 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
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2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Southwest Region
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 Texas A And M International University this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,625 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $29,708. Set against $9,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Oklahoma City Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $8,999. Elementary Education graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $18,417. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $41,896. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Brazosport College earned the #6 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,592, with out-of-state students paying around $3,344. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,082. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. That is a strong return on a $11,082 median debt.
Cochise College came in at #8 for value in elementary education this year. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt.
Central Arizona College earned the #9 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,635. Elementary Education graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #10 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Oklahoma College landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,083, compared with $11,848 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,811 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,565. That is a strong return on a $11,811 median debt.
Rio Salado College came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #13 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $47,413. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona Western College came in at #14 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Northern New Mexico College came in at #15 for value in elementary education this year. Northern New Mexico College is a small public school located in the town of Espanola. Students from in state pay about $5,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,328. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.
Western New Mexico University placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,366. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma came in at #17 for value in elementary education this year. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public school located in the town of Chickasha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000, compared with $20,190 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,705. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Yavapai College placed #19 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.
Eastern Arizona College landed the #20 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $9,552. Students borrow a median of $6,781 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,304. That is a strong return on a $6,781 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #21 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,996. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Midwestern State University earned the #22 position for value in elementary education this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texarkana College placed #23 among the best values for elementary education. Texarkana College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. In-state tuition and fees average $2,476, with out-of-state students paying around $5,332. Students borrow a median of $11,686 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Texarkana College earn a median of $33,707 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central University landed the #24 spot for elementary education value this year. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,750. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,395. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
Dine College earned the #25 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,410. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $20,227.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in elementary education:
Narrow Elementary Education Schools by State
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 79 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.
