2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Missouri
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Missouri
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 Missouri Southern State University this year. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $36,345. That is a strong return on a $21,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #2 place for elementary education. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $41,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $32,676. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,199. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $38,947. Set against $24,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Missouri Western State University came in at #6 for value in elementary education this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,352. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $33,695. Set against $21,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,262. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies generally make around $31,726. Set against $26,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cottey College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Nevada, Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,562. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $12,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,422. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #9 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $42,019. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earned the #10 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Students borrow a median of $20,431 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $32,393. That is a strong return on a $20,431 median debt. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.
Harris Stowe State University earned the #11 position for value in elementary education this year. Harris Stowe State University is a small public school located in the city of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,008, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $32,394 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Harris Stowe State University generally make around $31,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #12 among the best values for elementary education. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $22,995 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,061. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $37,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
William Jewell College placed #14 among the best values for elementary education. William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Liberty. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,610. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,950. Elementary Education graduates of William Jewell College earn a median of $48,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,950 median debt. William Jewell College admits about 38% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #15 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $37,907 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #16 for value in elementary education this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $20,867. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $37,302. That is a strong return on a $20,867 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Missouri Valley College came in at #17 for value in elementary education this year. Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marshall. Students from in state pay about $23,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,892. Elementary Education graduates of Missouri Valley College earn a median of $44,318 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,892 median debt. Missouri Valley College admits about 69% of applicants.
Evangel University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $36,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Lindenwood University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
Lincoln University Missouri ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,796, while out-of-state students pay about $17,692. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $30,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $33,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Park University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,732 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $36,667. That is a strong return on a $25,732 median debt.
Drury University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,745. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,262 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $31,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drury University admits about 58% of applicants.
Southwest Baptist University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bolivar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,566. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southwest Baptist University generally make around $27,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Baptist Bible College came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,950. Median earnings reach $38,641 ten years out.
Culver Stockton College placed #25 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the rural area of Canton, Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,875. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Culver Stockton College generally make around $36,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Rest of the Top 30 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
This list is compiled 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
