2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Oklahoma
[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.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Oklahoma
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #1 spot for value among elementary education schools in Oklahoma. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $8,999 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Set against $8,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $16,500. Elementary Education graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $47,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Oklahoma College earned it the #3 place for elementary education. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,811. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Northern Oklahoma College generally make around $40,565. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Carl Albert State College one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Poteau, Carl Albert State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,708. Students borrow a median of $10,583 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Carl Albert State College earn a median of $33,109 early in their careers. Set against $10,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,092, with out-of-state students paying around $8,675. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,249. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Oklahoma Panhandle State University generally make around $53,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma came in at #6 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Chickasha, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,000, compared with $20,190 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma generally make around $39,848. The acceptance rate is 66%.
East Central University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. 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. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $44,395. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,213, with out-of-state students paying around $11,363. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,568. Elementary Education graduates of Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College earn a median of $46,400 early in their careers. Set against $15,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rose State College earned the #9 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $11,407. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,402. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,860. Set against $10,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cameron University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Lawton, Cameron University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,095, while out-of-state students pay about $16,515. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,375 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Cameron University earn a median of $41,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,375 median debt.
Northeastern State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,807. Elementary Education graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $42,150 early in their careers. Set against $23,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,970 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,664. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $22,438 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $46,196 early in their careers. Set against $22,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rogers State University earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Rogers State University earn a median of $45,644 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,469 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,499 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $45,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Langston University came in at #15 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Langston, Langston University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,863, with out-of-state students paying around $14,616. Students borrow a median of $30,017 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Langston University generally make around $39,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $43,892. Set against $24,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Murray State College earned the #17 position for value in elementary education this year. Murray State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tishomingo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,230, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Murray State College generally make around $43,916. Set against $16,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seminole State College landed the #18 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of Seminole, Seminole State College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,460, compared with $11,790 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,162 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Seminole State College earn a median of $26,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,162 median debt.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $22,626. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $46,244 early in their careers. Set against $22,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Mid America Christian University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,294. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $37,852. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,010. Set against $37,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mid America Christian University admits about 92% of applicants.
Southern Nazarene University placed #21 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,190. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,684 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Southern Nazarene University earn a median of $45,032 early in their careers. Set against $29,684 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #22 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,510 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,476. That is a strong return on a $26,510 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Oral Roberts University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $46,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
Oklahoma Baptist University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Oklahoma Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Shawnee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,570. Students borrow a median of $25,825 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,802. That is a strong return on a $25,825 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
More Elementary Education Rankings
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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 · 32 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.
