2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in District of Columbia
[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.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in District of Columbia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Trinity Washington University tops our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools in District of Columbia. Set in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,610. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $31,194. Elementary Education graduates of Trinity Washington University earn a median of $64,890 early in their careers. Set against $31,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trinity Washington University admits about 100% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of The District Of Columbia one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,662 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $32,304 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of The District Of Columbia generally make around $71,998. That is a strong return on a $32,304 median debt.
American University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,771 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 $59,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
Howard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,810. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,498. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $58,495. Set against $25,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Howard University admits about 41% 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. 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
