2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in New York

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in elementary education in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the elementary education program here. 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. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,862. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,574. Set against $10,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for elementary education. 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, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,916 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $57,296 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

4

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $13,100 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $46,208 early in their careers. Set against $13,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

5

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

6

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,854 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

7

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $49,559. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

8

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury placed #9 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $33,561 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

10

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College landed the #10 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $63,434. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.

11

Suny College At Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, NY

Suny College At Plattsburgh landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $48,657. Set against $24,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.

12

Boricua College
New York, NY

Boricua College placed #12 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of New York, Boricua College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,025 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,334. Elementary Education graduates of Boricua College earn a median of $60,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,334 median debt.

13

Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

Suny At Fredonia placed #13 among the best values for elementary education. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $32,515. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.

14

Suny College At Oswego
Oswego, NY

Suny College At Oswego earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,742. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,329. Set against $23,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

15

Suny College At Potsdam
Potsdam, NY

Suny College At Potsdam landed the #15 spot for elementary education value this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $42,569 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

16

Suny College At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Suny College At Buffalo placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $26,999 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

17

Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo earned the #17 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $31,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.

18

Saint Josephs College New York
Brooklyn, NY

Saint Josephs College New York placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,550. Students borrow a median of $25,485 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,214. That is a strong return on a $25,485 median debt. Saint Josephs College New York admits about 72% of applicants.

19

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,784. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.

20

Suny College At Oneonta
Oneonta, NY

Suny College At Oneonta ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,500. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $30,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oneonta admits about 70% of applicants.

21

Canisius College
Buffalo, NY

Canisius College came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,200. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,673. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $61,512. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

22

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany earned the #22 position for value in elementary education this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,736. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.

23

Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University earned the #23 position for value in elementary education this year. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,026 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.

24

Suny College At Cortland
Cortland, NY

Suny College At Cortland came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,902 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,977. That is a strong return on a $25,902 median debt. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.

25

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo placed #25 among the best values for elementary education. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,008. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.