2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Maine

[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Maine
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of Maine At Presque Isle, our #1 best value for elementary education in Maine. University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Presque Isle. In-state tuition and fees average $9,402, with out-of-state students paying around $14,862. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,148. Set against $23,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine At Presque Isle admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maine At Augusta earned it the #2 place for elementary education. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,313 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Maine At Augusta earn a median of $45,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Maine earned it the #3 place for elementary education. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,593. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at University Of Maine At Farmington, which ranked #4. University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Students from in state pay about $11,308 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,878. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Maine At Farmington generally make around $38,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Maine one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $38,924. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Thomas College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Waterville, Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,824. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $38,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Husson University landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,304. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Husson University earn a median of $40,485 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New England landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,210. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,142. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of New England generally make around $68,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
More Elementary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.