2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Texas
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Texas
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
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M International University the best value for a degree in elementary education in Texas. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Brazosport College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texarkana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texarkana College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,476, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,686. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $33,707. That is a strong return on a $11,686 median debt.
Midwestern State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes Texas A And M University Commerce one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $55,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Texarkana earned the #6 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,349, while out-of-state students pay about $24,680. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,270. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,862. That is a strong return on a $25,270 median debt. Texas A And M University Texarkana admits about 64% of applicants.
Navarro College came in at #7 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Corsicana, Navarro College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,578. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,488 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Navarro College earn a median of $38,210 early in their careers. Set against $16,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,508. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $53,259. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,659. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,272. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #10 position for value in elementary education this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $55,643. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas Wesleyan University came in at #11 for value in elementary education this year. Texas Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $39,582. Students borrow a median of $26,461 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $59,434. Set against $26,461 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Tarleton State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,222. Elementary Education graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $53,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of The Incarnate Word placed #13 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $43,843. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Wayland Baptist University came in at #14 for value in elementary education this year. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. In-state tuition and fees average $23,782. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $31,694. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $38,397. That is a strong return on a $31,694 median debt. Wayland Baptist University admits about 56% of applicants.
Trinity University landed the #15 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,314. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Trinity University generally make around $56,357. That is a strong return on a $23,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 26%.
East Texas Baptist University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. East Texas Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marshall. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,680. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,087 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Letourneau University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Longview. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,160. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $33,334. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $35,487. That is a strong return on a $33,334 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Lubbock Christian University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,540. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,250. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Abilene Christian University placed #19 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,200. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,209. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $50,486. That is a strong return on a $27,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earned the #20 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,300 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 University Of Mary Hardin Baylor generally make around $50,657. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Dallas Baptist University landed the #21 spot for elementary education value this year. Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $40,190. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $22,500. Elementary Education graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $54,594 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Baylor University came in at #22 for value in elementary education this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $53,614 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
More Elementary Education Rankings
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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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
