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

19 Colleges in the United States
$27,505 Avg Student Debt
$49,604 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Georgia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Elementary Education Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of North Georgia, our #1 best value for elementary education in Georgia. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $19,500. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clayton State University earned it the #2 place for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $35,088. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

3

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Dalton State College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,400 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,889. Set against $18,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4
Gordon State College crest
Gordon State College
Barnesville, GA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gordon State College earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Gordon State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Barnesville. Students from in state pay about $3,628 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,948. Students borrow a median of $23,073 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,644. Set against $23,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valdosta State University earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,750. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,722. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

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Young Harris College crest
Young Harris College
Young Harris, GA

Young Harris College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Young Harris. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,305. Students borrow a median of $24,689 to complete the elementary education program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,195. That is a strong return on a $24,689 median debt. Young Harris College admits about 63% of applicants.

7

University Of Georgia landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $18,229. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $59,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,229 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.

8
Georgia Gwinnett College crest
Georgia Gwinnett College
Lawrenceville, GA

Georgia Gwinnett College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,532, while out-of-state students pay about $13,844. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,590. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,203. That is a strong return on a $21,590 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

9

Georgia Southwestern State University placed #9 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Americus, Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $16,572. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,431. Elementary Education graduates of Georgia Southwestern State University earn a median of $50,897 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,431 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

10

Columbus State University earned the #10 position for value in elementary education this year. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $30,977 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $55,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

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Middle Georgia State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $41,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.

12

University Of West Georgia ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,217 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $50,204. That is a strong return on a $25,217 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.

13

Albany State University earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,656, while out-of-state students pay about $17,008. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $31,000. Elementary Education graduates of Albany State University earn a median of $44,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.

14

Wesleyan College placed #14 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Macon, Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,650 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $38,170 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Wesleyan College earn a median of $70,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

15

Kennesaw State University came in at #15 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $63,630. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

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Georgia Southern University placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,263. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

17

Shorter University came in at #17 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Rome, Shorter University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $24,630. Students borrow a median of $26,568 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,460. That is a strong return on a $26,568 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

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Lagrange College crest
Lagrange College
Lagrange, GA

Lagrange College came in at #18 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Lagrange, Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,400. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $52,126. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lagrange College admits about 62% of applicants.

19

Georgia College And State University came in at #19 for value in elementary education this year. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $50,511. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

20
Thomas University crest
Thomas University
Thomasville, GA

Thomas University earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Thomas University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $28,500. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $59,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

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Brenau University crest
Brenau University
Gainesville, GA

Brenau University came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Brenau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $33,757 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $38,250 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,002. That is a strong return on a $38,250 median debt. Brenau University admits about 88% of applicants.

22
Piedmont College crest
Piedmont College
Demorest, GA

Piedmont College came in at #22 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Demorest, Piedmont College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,700. Students borrow a median of $30,026 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Piedmont College generally make around $48,916. Set against $30,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Piedmont College admits about 93% of applicants.

23

Mercer University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,565 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $47,750 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,846. That is a strong return on a $47,750 median debt. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.

24

Truett Mcconnell College came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Truett Mcconnell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Truett Mcconnell College generally make around $37,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truett Mcconnell College admits about 78% of applicants.

25
Covenant College crest
Covenant College
Lookout Mountain, GA

Covenant College earned the #25 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Lookout Mountain, Covenant College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,040 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,404. Set against $23,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Elementary Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in elementary education:

26
27
Spelman College crest
Spelman College
Atlanta, GA

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 33 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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