by our College Data Analytics Team
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Vincennes University tops our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools in Indiana. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,500. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,976. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Kokomo one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,885 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $40,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,885 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Indiana University Southeast, which ranked #3. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,145 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,032. That is a strong return on a $24,145 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Northwest is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $48,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,443. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Purdue University Northwest placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $45,071. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #7 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,000. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $43,128 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University East earned the #8 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,866. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $38,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,866 median debt. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,646 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,459. That is a strong return on a $18,646 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,834 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $41,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,834 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Indiana State University placed #12 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $49,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ball State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,655 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $48,051 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Oakland City University landed the #15 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the rural area of Oakland City, Oakland City University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,900. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,266. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $62,655. That is a strong return on a $25,266 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #16 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Students borrow a median of $24,823 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $32,421. That is a strong return on a $24,823 median debt.
University Of Indianapolis placed #17 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,200. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,250. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $41,955. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Evansville earned the #19 position for value in elementary education this year. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,172. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $59,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne placed #20 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,460. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,520 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne generally make around $57,192. That is a strong return on a $27,520 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,450. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,123. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
Hanover College came in at #22 for value in elementary education this year. Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,698. Students borrow a median of $26,980 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Franklin College came in at #23 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Franklin College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,710. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Franklin College earn a median of $47,610 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Franklin College admits about 70% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University placed #24 among the best values for elementary education. Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,352. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,823 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $32,421. That is a strong return on a $24,823 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Marian University Indiana landed the #25 spot for elementary education value this year. Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,664. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Marian University Indiana generally make around $46,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in elementary education:
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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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.