2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in North Dakota
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in North Dakota
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the elementary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Minot State University tops our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools in North Dakota. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Students borrow a median of $25,823 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valley City State University earned it the #2 place for elementary education. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $44,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Mayville State University one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,979, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $45,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dickinson State University earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $49,811. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Mary one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $44,806. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota came in at #6 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,453. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
More Elementary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
