2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Eastern Wyoming College
Torrington, WY

Eastern Wyoming College earned the #1 spot for value among elementary education schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Eastern Wyoming College is a small public school located in the town of Torrington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,290, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,690 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Eastern Wyoming College generally make around $34,058. Set against $7,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Snow College
Ephraim, UT

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Snow College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.

3

Laramie County Community College
Cheyenne, WY

Laramie County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,613, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. Students borrow a median of $15,309 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Laramie County Community College earn a median of $51,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,309 median debt.

4

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,335 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $41,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,335 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

5

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #5. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $11,813 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $49,497. Set against $11,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

College Of Western Idaho
Nampa, ID

College Of Western Idaho ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Students borrow a median of $10,626 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.

7

Western Wyoming Community College
Rock Springs, WY

Western Wyoming Community College came in at #7 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $10,530. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $12,628. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Sheridan College
Sheridan, WY

Sheridan College landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Sheridan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheridan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $11,130. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,334. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Sheridan College generally make around $49,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Morgan Community College
Fort Morgan, CO

Morgan Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,252, while out-of-state students pay about $16,852. Students borrow a median of $11,746 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Morgan Community College generally make around $70,412. Set against $11,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Northwest College
Powell, WY

Northwest College placed #10 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,962, compared with $11,262 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,014. Set against $12,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Casper College
Casper, WY

Casper College came in at #11 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Students borrow a median of $10,408 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. Set against $10,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Fort Peck Community College
Poplar, MT

Fort Peck Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the rural area of Poplar, Fort Peck Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $14,747 ten years after entry.

13

Community College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Community College Of Denver earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $14,375. Elementary Education graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $18,399 early in their careers. Set against $14,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University placed #14 among the best values for elementary education. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $56,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood, CO

Red Rocks Community College came in at #15 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

Western Governors University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Students borrow a median of $23,277 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Western Governors University generally make around $74,771. Set against $23,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, CO

Arapahoe Community College landed the #17 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $20,448 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $47,579 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University came in at #18 for value in elementary education this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $13,625. Elementary Education graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $47,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

19

Salish Kootenai College
Pablo, MT

Salish Kootenai College came in at #19 for value in elementary education this year. Salish Kootenai College is a small public school located in the rural area of Pablo. In-state tuition and fees average $4,311, compared with $11,583 for out-of-state students. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $52,607.

20

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming came in at #20 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $45,901 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

21

Front Range Community College
Westminster, CO

Front Range Community College came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,414. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.

22

Trinidad State Junior College
Trinidad, CO

Trinidad State Junior College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,608, with out-of-state students paying around $7,318. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,502. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,086. That is a strong return on a $10,502 median debt.

23

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University landed the #23 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,574 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $56,279. That is a strong return on a $16,574 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.

24

Colorado Northwestern Community College
Rangely, CO

Colorado Northwestern Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,594, compared with $7,304 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $18,127. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $56,978. Set against $18,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #25 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,472 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $54,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.