2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD

For return on investment in elementary education, no school beat Frederick Community College this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,778. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,986. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.

3

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,862. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $9,916. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $57,296. That is a strong return on a $9,916 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $13,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $46,208. That is a strong return on a $13,100 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

6

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $62,489 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

7

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #7 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $11,854 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,872. That is a strong return on a $11,854 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

8

Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD

Carroll Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Westminster. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Dover, DE

Delaware Technical Community College Terry placed #9 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $8,450 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $25,289. Set against $8,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $49,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

11

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #11 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,052. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College earned the #12 position for value in elementary education this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,230 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $33,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.

14

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $53,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

15

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University earned the #15 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Kean University earn a median of $60,910 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

16

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University earned the #16 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,369. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.

17

Westmoreland County Community College
Youngwood, PA

Westmoreland County Community College landed the #17 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

18

Hagerstown Community College
Hagerstown, MD

Hagerstown Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hagerstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,126 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $46,478. Set against $15,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

College Of Southern Maryland
La Plata, MD

College Of Southern Maryland earned the #19 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Students borrow a median of $9,728 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of College Of Southern Maryland earn a median of $51,719 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Wor Wic Community College
Salisbury, MD

Wor Wic Community College placed #20 among the best values for elementary education. Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $8,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $13,995. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell, PA

Montgomery County Community College came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $14,250. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $20,885. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.

22

Community College Of Beaver County
Monaca, PA

Community College Of Beaver County came in at #22 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500, with out-of-state students paying around $20,700. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,324 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Community College Of Beaver County earn a median of $49,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey City University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $22,107. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $74,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.

24

Community College Of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA

Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #24 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $28,805 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Harford Community College
Bel Air, MD

Harford Community College earned the #25 position for value in elementary education this year. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Students borrow a median of $12,624 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,636. Set against $12,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.