by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
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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.
Our analysis ranked Ridgewater College the best value for a degree in elementary education in Minnesota. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Students borrow a median of $15,556 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,178. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt.
Normandale Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Normandale Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Cloud State University earned it the #3 place for elementary education. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,449. Elementary Education graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $40,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,449 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,598. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $36,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Minneapolis Community And Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $43,164. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt.
Bemidji State University earned the #6 position for value in elementary education this year. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Students borrow a median of $27,757 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $42,841 early in their careers. Set against $27,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $41,333. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University placed #8 among the best values for elementary education. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,470 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $42,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Metropolitan State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Students borrow a median of $28,279 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,471. Set against $28,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $43,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul placed #11 among the best values for elementary education. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $42,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Martin Luther College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of New Ulm. In-state tuition and fees average $18,120. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $46,706. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Martin Luther College admits about 87% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $26,603 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $49,867. That is a strong return on a $26,603 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Hamline University earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $59,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
St Catherine University placed #15 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,883 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $41,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,883 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Bethany Lutheran College landed the #16 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Bethany Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,360. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Bethany Lutheran College generally make around $44,462. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Augsburg College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,511. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augsburg College admits about 82% of applicants.
North Central University placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Minneapolis, North Central University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,220. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of North Central University earn a median of $40,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Central University admits about 99% of applicants.
College Of Saint Benedict ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,756 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Saint Benedict admits about 92% of applicants.
Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #20 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,920. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,621. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica earned the #21 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,495 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,898. That is a strong return on a $22,495 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #22 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $45,361 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #23 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,728. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Walden University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,067 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $47,261 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,927. That is a strong return on a $47,261 median debt.
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.