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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Alabama

13 Colleges in the United States
$27,541 Avg Student Debt
$49,127 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Elementary Education Badge [Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.

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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Alabama

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

1

For return on investment in elementary education, no school beat University Of North Alabama this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of West Alabama came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, while out-of-state students pay about $20,090. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $54,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Troy University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,733. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

4

A rank of #4 makes Alabama State University one of the best values for elementary education. Alabama State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,248, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Students borrow a median of $34,750 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Alabama State University generally make around $46,178. Set against $34,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alabama State University admits about 98% of applicants.

5

Jacksonville State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,114 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $46,239 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,114 median debt. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.

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6

Auburn University At Montgomery landed the #6 spot for elementary education value this year. Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,700, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

7

University Of South Alabama landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $45,991 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Montevallo earned the #8 position for value in elementary education this year. University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Montevallo. Students from in state pay about $13,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,750. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Montevallo earn a median of $45,558 early in their careers. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Montevallo admits about 54% of applicants.

9

University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #9 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $31,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,938. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.

10

Spring Hill College came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,500. Spring Hill College admits about 77% of applicants.

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11

University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. Students from in state pay about $12,132 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $54,661. That is a strong return on a $24,797 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

12

University Of Mobile ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. University Of Mobile is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mobile. In-state tuition and fees average $26,910. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mobile admits about 78% of applicants.

13
Faulkner University crest
Faulkner University
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University came in at #13 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Faulkner University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,920 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,942 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Faulkner University earn a median of $52,231 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

14

The University Of Alabama came in at #14 for value in elementary education this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,875. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $47,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

15
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #15 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,618. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

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16
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,150. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $46,164. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

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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 · 24 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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