[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 1259 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
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Finding the Best Value Elementary Education School for You
The elementary education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Elementary Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Elementary Education Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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Leading the list is Frederick Community College, our #1 best value for elementary education in the United States. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $43,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for elementary education. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,986 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $10,862 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $48,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $9,916 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $57,296 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,916 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $13,100 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $46,208 early in their careers. Set against $13,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
St Petersburg College earned the #6 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,900 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $49,672 early in their careers. Set against $19,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $48,612 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $19,695. Elementary Education graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge landed the #9 spot for elementary education value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $74,192. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #10 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $27,981. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
University Of Florida landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,063 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,506. Set against $18,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #12 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $13,213. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $62,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #13 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $9,625. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $29,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University landed the #14 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,029. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Renton Technical College landed the #15 spot for elementary education value this year. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $7,768. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. That is a strong return on a $18,582 median debt.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #16 for value in elementary education this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $8,999. Elementary Education graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College came in at #17 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $25,150 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $44,618 early in their careers. Set against $25,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Essex Community College landed the #18 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,129. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $28,635. Set against $10,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #19 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $11,854 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $45,872 early in their careers. Set against $11,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,542 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $47,473. Set against $14,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Brazosport College landed the #21 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $6,625. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $32,746. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yavapai College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University placed #23 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $17,661 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,178. Set against $17,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #24 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $9,500. Elementary Education graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $23,865 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College landed the #25 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $18,417. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in elementary education:
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The ranking above is published 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 · 1259 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 525 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).
[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.
