by our College Data Analytics Team
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 345 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is St Petersburg College, our #1 best value for elementary education in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,900 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,672. That is a strong return on a $19,900 median debt.
Indian River State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $10,492. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,612. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,063 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,506. Set against $18,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,661 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $50,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Edison State College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $12,750. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Central Piedmont Community College came in at #6 for value in elementary education this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $23,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Itawamba Community College came in at #7 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #8 for value in elementary education this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $20,995. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $52,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida Gateway College placed #9 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $8,669. Elementary Education graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $16,490 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $48,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Florida State College earned the #11 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,583, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,340. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State University came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $45,696. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Holmes Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $6,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $18,553. Set against $6,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Daytona State College earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $17,308. Elementary Education graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $44,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,308 median debt.
University Of Central Florida came in at #15 for value in elementary education this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $50,686. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Parkersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,182. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from West Virginia University At Parkersburg generally make around $35,543. Set against $11,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College placed #17 among the best values for elementary education. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,097 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $43,599 early in their careers. Set against $9,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #18 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $19,489. Elementary Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,489 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Polk State College landed the #19 spot for elementary education value this year. Polk State College is a large public school located in the city of Winter Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $2,694, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,210. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
The University Of West Florida earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $45,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
James Sprunt Community College came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $26,775. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,653. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $24,653 median debt.
Northwest Mississippi Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $8,803 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $18,490. Set against $8,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Florida State College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,165, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $8,204. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from South Florida State College generally make around $45,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College earned the #25 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 345 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 148 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.