by our College Data Analytics Team
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the elementary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in elementary education, no school beat Pima Community College this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $18,417. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,485. Set against $18,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Cochise College one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,712. Set against $12,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rio Salado College earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. 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. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona Western College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Yavapai College earned the #6 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $52,087. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #7 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Arizona College came in at #8 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, compared with $9,552 for out-of-state students. 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.
Dine College landed the #9 spot for elementary education value this year. Dine College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tsaile. In-state tuition and fees average $1,410. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $20,227.
Northland Pioneer College landed the #10 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,232, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,680 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Northland Pioneer College generally make around $44,117. That is a strong return on a $8,680 median debt.
Mesa Community College placed #11 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Phoenix College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College placed #14 among the best values for elementary education. Paradise Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. That is a strong return on a $14,204 median debt.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #15 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,447. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Mountain Community College landed the #16 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,825.
Northern Arizona University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $18,600. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #18 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $43,822 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $46,439. Set against $43,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University came in at #19 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,402. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,687 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,490. That is a strong return on a $18,687 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University landed the #21 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $36,334. Elementary Education graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $51,423 early in their careers. Set against $36,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Ashford University landed the #22 spot for elementary education value this year. Ashford University is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $34,575 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $35,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,575 median debt.
Arizona Christian University landed the #23 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Arizona Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,098. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $22,625. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.