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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Northeast Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools in Nebraska. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,799. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $24,710. That is a strong return on a $11,799 median debt.
Western Nebraska Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Chadron State College one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,750. Elementary Education graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $40,320 early in their careers. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #4 place for elementary education. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $47,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Peru State College earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Located in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne State College came in at #6 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $19,500. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,322. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #7 for value in elementary education this year. 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, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,363 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. 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. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Nebraska Wesleyan University placed #9 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,572 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of $42,988 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Concordia University Seward landed the #10 spot for elementary education value this year. Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Seward. Students from in state pay about $40,640 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Concordia University Seward earn a median of $47,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Creighton University came in at #11 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Creighton University admits about 80% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.