2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Iowa
[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.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Iowa
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
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among elementary education schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,742. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Iowa Central Community College one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Community College Creston earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $46,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College earned the #6 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,626. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #7 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ellsworth Community College came in at #8 for value in elementary education this year. Ellsworth Community College is a small public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,062 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of $40,503 early in their careers. Set against $17,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,059 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,667. Set against $26,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,995. Elementary Education graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa State University came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $45,512. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Coe College landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,666. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Coe College generally make around $44,511. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Graceland University Lamoni placed #14 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,848. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $36,563 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Buena Vista University placed #15 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $41,996 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $42,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Waldorf College came in at #16 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,978 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,622. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Waldorf College generally make around $63,346. Set against $24,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mercy University landed the #17 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,878 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $30,687 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $43,810 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Loras College came in at #18 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,824. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Grand View University earned the #19 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,762. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $46,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Grand View University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Iowa earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $45,015 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Upper Iowa University earned the #21 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,475. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $37,646 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,802. Set against $37,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Simpson College came in at #22 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,656. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,760. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Simpson College admits about 86% of applicants.
Luther College placed #23 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Luther College earn a median of $45,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Luther College admits about 72% of applicants.
William Penn University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,750. Students borrow a median of $32,642 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from William Penn University generally make around $40,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Central College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,988. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Central College generally make around $44,000. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central College admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary education value ranking:
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
