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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Wisconsin

16 Colleges in the United States
$26,801 Avg Student Debt
$57,205 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Elementary Education Badge [Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.

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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Wisconsin

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Elementary Education Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Parkside, our #1 best value for elementary education in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. Set against $24,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.

2

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,240 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $43,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

3

University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,258. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Superior one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Students borrow a median of $32,774 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $45,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,774 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $44,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

6

University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,000. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $39,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

7

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #7 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Students borrow a median of $22,785 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $51,489. That is a strong return on a $22,785 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

8

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #8 position for value in elementary education this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $28,687 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $48,843. Set against $28,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #9 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,906. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

10

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, compared with $19,228 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 $44,178. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.

11
Alverno College crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI

Alverno College placed #11 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,086. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $30,584. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,918. That is a strong return on a $30,584 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12

Wisconsin Lutheran College placed #12 among the best values for elementary education. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $36,110 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of $49,485 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wisconsin Lutheran College admits about 78% of applicants.

13
Lakeland College crest
Lakeland College
Plymouth, WI

Lakeland College earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Plymouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,396. Students borrow a median of $29,722 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Lakeland College generally make around $52,412. Set against $29,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University came in at #14 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,250. Students borrow a median of $29,107 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Viterbo University generally make around $49,498. That is a strong return on a $29,107 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

15

Marian University Wisconsin ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fond Du Lac. In-state tuition and fees average $35,204. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,242 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Marian University Wisconsin earn a median of $72,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,242 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

16
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Carroll University came in at #16 for value in elementary education this year. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,253. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.

17

Maranatha Baptist Bible College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Watertown, Maranatha Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,550. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Maranatha Baptist Bible College generally make around $56,298. Maranatha Baptist Bible College admits about 72% of applicants.

18
Carthage College crest
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College earned the #18 position for value in elementary education this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,750. Students borrow a median of $25,954 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Carthage College earn a median of $47,185 early in their careers. Set against $25,954 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

19
Edgewood College crest
Edgewood College
Madison, WI

Edgewood College placed #19 among the best values for elementary education. Edgewood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,860. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $46,458. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

20

Saint Norbert College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,580. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Saint Norbert College generally make around $44,823. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

21

Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,470. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $49,291. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

22
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University placed #22 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,250. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marquette University admits about 81% of applicants.

View All Elementary Education Rankings >

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 · 24 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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