2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Oregon
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Oregon
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Treasure Valley Community College the best value for a degree in elementary education in Oregon. Treasure Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ontario. Students from in state pay about $6,345 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,795 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Treasure Valley Community College earn a median of $47,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rogue Community College earned it the #2 place for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Grants Pass, Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $15,248 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,243. Set against $15,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Linn Benton Community College one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Albany, Linn Benton Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,317 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,736. Students borrow a median of $17,959 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Oregon University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of La Grande, Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,184, while out-of-state students pay about $24,729. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Eastern Oregon University generally make around $48,893. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Blue Mountain Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Pendleton, Blue Mountain Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,076 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,754. Students borrow a median of $20,615 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Blue Mountain Community College earn a median of $25,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,615 median debt.
Southern Oregon University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $28,906. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,690. That is a strong return on a $28,906 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Western Oregon University came in at #7 for value in elementary education this year. Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Monmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,514, compared with $32,169 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,458 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Western Oregon University earn a median of $39,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,458 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $48,763 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,043 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Northwest Christian University placed #9 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Eugene, Northwest Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,800. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Northwest Christian University generally make around $62,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Linfield College landed the #10 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of McMinnville, Linfield College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,736. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Linfield College earn a median of $43,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
George Fox University landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,320. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from George Fox University generally make around $43,079. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Lewis And Clark College landed the #12 spot for elementary education value this year. Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,828. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,301. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,121. Set against $23,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis And Clark College admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Portland ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Portland earn a median of $44,038 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
More Elementary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
