2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 186 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
For return on investment in elementary education, no school beat Northeast Community College this year. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,799 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $24,710 early in their careers. Set against $11,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indian Hills Community College earned it the #2 place for elementary education. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,390. Elementary Education graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,390 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Western Nebraska Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $62,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dodge City Community College earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Located in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #6 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,624. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Morris landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, while out-of-state students pay about $16,710. Students borrow a median of $24,767 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $46,414. Set against $24,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Ridgewater College came in at #8 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,121 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,556. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,178. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #9 spot for elementary education value this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,510. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Creston came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,064 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $46,106. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College earned the #11 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,121. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,153. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $47,123. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Truman State University landed the #15 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #16 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,375. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $42,019. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
College Of The Ozarks landed the #17 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Elementary Education graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $32,676 early in their careers. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
Washburn University came in at #18 for value in elementary education this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $22,945 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $46,519 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minot State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Students borrow a median of $25,823 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $48,425 early in their careers. Set against $25,823 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Chadron State College landed the #20 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $40,320 early in their careers. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #21 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,942. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Southern State University landed the #22 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,850. Elementary Education graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $36,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,850 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Oglala Lakota College earned the #23 position for value in elementary education this year. Oglala Lakota College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kyle. In-state tuition and fees average $2,684. Median earnings reach $22,517 ten years out.
Valley City State University came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $44,179. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington came in at #25 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $45,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for elementary education this year:
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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 · 186 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 91 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.
