2026 Best Value Elementary Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in elementary education in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $37,223. Set against $10,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $9,916 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $39,169 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

3

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $19,900 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $49,672 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $13,100 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $37,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

5

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.

6

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $74,192. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $18,063 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $46,209 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,063 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

8

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.

9

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,854. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,997. That is a strong return on a $11,854 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

10

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,661 in student loans. 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.

11

Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL

Edison State College came in at #11 for value in elementary education this year. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $3,401 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $51,448 early in their careers. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton landed the #12 spot for elementary education value this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,542 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $28,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

13

Florida Gateway College
Lake City, FL

Florida Gateway College earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Students borrow a median of $8,669 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. Set against $8,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $17,308. Elementary Education graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $44,869 early in their careers. Set against $17,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Western New Mexico University came in at #15 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Northwest Florida State College
Niceville, FL

Northwest Florida State College came in at #16 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,583, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $44,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,995 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

18

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College came in at #18 for value in elementary education this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,559. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.

19

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,490 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $44,522 early in their careers. Set against $16,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

20

Chipola College
Marianna, FL

Chipola College earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $9,097 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $43,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.

21

West Virginia University At Parkersburg
Parkersburg, WV

West Virginia University At Parkersburg landed the #21 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Students borrow a median of $11,182 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $35,543 early in their careers. Set against $11,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $11,625 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $49,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Dover, DE

Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #23 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $8,450. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $25,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,705. Elementary Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

25

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in elementary education this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $41,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.