2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Massachusetts
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Massachusetts
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the elementary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Middlesex Community College Bedford tops our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools in Massachusetts. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,602. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $27,981. Set against $11,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Essex Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,129 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $28,635. That is a strong return on a $10,129 median debt.
Bristol Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Students borrow a median of $7,788 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $21,738 early in their careers. Set against $7,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Springfield Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Students borrow a median of $5,881 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $28,769. That is a strong return on a $5,881 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Shore Community College earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,145 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $51,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,145 median debt.
Massachusetts Bay Community College earned the #6 position for value in elementary education this year. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,008. Elementary Education graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,008 median debt.
Holyoke Community College landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $9,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $43,423. Set against $9,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massasoit Community College placed #8 among the best values for elementary education. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $10,894 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $42,938. Set against $10,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Quinsigamond Community College landed the #9 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Students borrow a median of $18,235 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $31,901. That is a strong return on a $18,235 median debt.
Worcester State University came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $22,971 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,313. That is a strong return on a $22,971 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Fitchburg State University placed #11 among the best values for elementary education. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $46,215. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,872 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $49,006 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $50,137 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Salem State University placed #14 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $52,341. Set against $27,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #15 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,574. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $66,985. That is a strong return on a $25,574 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University came in at #16 for value in elementary education this year. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,690. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Gordon College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Wenham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,700. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,975. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
American International College came in at #18 for value in elementary education this year. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Students borrow a median of $30,390 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $59,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Boston University landed the #19 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $44,630. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Stonehill College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. In-state tuition and fees average $56,370. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Stonehill College generally make around $44,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Massachusetts placed #21 among the best values for elementary education. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,960. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,117. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Wheaton College Massachusetts generally make around $32,920. That is a strong return on a $26,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts placed #22 among the best values for elementary education. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $48,550 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $42,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Lesley University landed the #23 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,256. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,918 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $44,692. Set against $17,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Brandeis University placed #24 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,653 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
Merrimack College earned the #25 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,962. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,913. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $55,327. Set against $26,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for elementary education this year:
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
