2026 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
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2026 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
Leading the list is Truman State University, our #1 best value for elementary education in Missouri. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,168. 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. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Missouri Southern State University one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,850. Elementary Education graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $36,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri St Louis earned it the #3 place for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,375. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $42,019 early in their careers. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $39,942 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $32,676. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Missouri Western State University placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,352 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $33,695. Set against $21,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln University Missouri landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,796 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $30,259 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $33,262. Set against $30,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $22,995 in student loans. 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%.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies placed #9 among the best values for elementary education. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $20,431. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $32,393. Set against $20,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned the #11 position for value in elementary education this year. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $8,054 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,262 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies generally make around $31,726. That is a strong return on a $26,262 median debt.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Park University placed #13 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,732. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $36,667. Set against $25,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Valley College placed #15 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,700. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #16 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $20,867. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,302. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University landed the #17 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Fontbonne University placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,976 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $31,196. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt.
Evangel University landed the #19 spot for elementary education value this year. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $36,005. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Southwest Baptist University placed #20 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,566 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Southwest Baptist University earn a median of $27,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
Hannibal Lagrange College came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,880. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,250. Elementary Education graduates of Hannibal Lagrange College earn a median of $32,927 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Drury University landed the #22 spot for elementary education value this year. Drury University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,745. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,262. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Drury University generally make around $31,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drury University admits about 58% of applicants.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. In-state tuition and fees average $28,620. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $20,431. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $32,393. That is a strong return on a $20,431 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Missouri Baptist University landed the #24 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,122. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $38,068 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #25 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,166. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,500. Elementary Education graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $67,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in elementary education:
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
