2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Ohio
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 35 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
For return on investment in elementary education, no school beat University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $29,867. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $29,867. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Ohio State University Marion Campus one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Marion, Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,432. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Ohio State University Marion Campus generally make around $36,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for elementary education. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $33,735. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Wright State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,693 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,648. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $36,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Wright State University Lake Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Celina. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,372, while out-of-state students pay about $17,072. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Wright State University Lake Campus generally make around $36,332. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio State University Mansfield Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Ohio State University Mansfield Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,488, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,432 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Ohio State University Mansfield Campus earn a median of $36,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,432 median debt.
Bluffton University earned the #10 position for value in elementary education this year. Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bluffton. In-state tuition and fees average $37,362. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Bluffton University generally make around $41,821. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Wittenberg University earned the #11 position for value in elementary education this year. Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $45,940 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Wittenberg University generally make around $36,752. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,050. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $23,050 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Walsh University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,030. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $34,355. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University placed #14 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,193 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Mount Vernon Nazarene University generally make around $35,268. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ashland University came in at #15 for value in elementary education this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,210. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $48,852 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Mount Union placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $38,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #17 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $21,313 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $34,737 early in their careers. Set against $21,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
The University Of Findlay placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Findlay. Students from in state pay about $41,164 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from The University Of Findlay generally make around $33,154. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #19 for value in elementary education this year. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,050. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cedarville University came in at #20 for value in elementary education this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford placed #21 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $49,700 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
John Carroll University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,131. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from John Carroll University generally make around $44,308. That is a strong return on a $26,131 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Xavier University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,425. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $44,364. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.
More Elementary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
