2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Nebraska

1

Northeast Community College
Norfolk, NE

Northeast Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools in Nebraska. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,799. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $24,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff, NE

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Western Nebraska Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,123. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

4

Chadron State College
Chadron, NE

A rank of #4 makes Chadron State College one of the best values for elementary education. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $40,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Peru State College
Peru, NE

A rank of #5 makes Peru State College one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,433. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $37,072 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,117 median debt.

6

Wayne State College
Wayne, NE

Wayne State College landed the #6 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Students borrow a median of $23,363 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $46,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.

8

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #8 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,128 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $44,011 early in their careers. Set against $23,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

9

Hastings College
Hastings, NE

Hastings College earned the #9 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Hastings, Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Hastings College generally make around $40,406. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Hastings College admits about 72% of applicants.

10

Nebraska Wesleyan University
Lincoln, NE

Nebraska Wesleyan University came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,572. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Nebraska Wesleyan University generally make around $42,988. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nebraska Wesleyan University admits about 80% of applicants.

11

Concordia University Seward
Seward, NE

Concordia University Seward came in at #11 for value in elementary education this year. Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Seward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,640. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Concordia University Seward generally make around $47,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

Doane College Crete
Crete, NE

Doane College Crete ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crete. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,985. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Doane College Crete earn a median of $53,500 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

13

Creighton University
Omaha, NE

Creighton University came in at #13 for value in elementary education this year. Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $64,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,831 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.