2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Iowa

1

Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa, IA

Our analysis ranked Indian Hills Community College the best value for a degree in elementary education in Iowa. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City, IA

A rank of #2 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for elementary education. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,886. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA

Iowa Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA

Eastern Iowa Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. 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. Elementary Education graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.

5

Southwestern Community College Creston
Creston, IA

Southwestern Community College Creston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Creston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the elementary education program here. 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.

6

Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA

Hawkeye Community College landed the #6 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $17,001. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Des Moines Area Community College landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, IA

Iowa Western Community College earned the #8 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa placed #9 among the best values for elementary education. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $26,059 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $48,667 early in their careers. Set against $26,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

10

Southeastern Community College West Burlington
West Burlington, IA

Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #10 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,420 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. 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.

11

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University earned the #11 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $45,512. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

12

Graceland University Lamoni
Lamoni, IA

Graceland University Lamoni came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,848. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Graceland University Lamoni generally make around $36,563. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

13

Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,666 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Coe College earn a median of $44,511 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coe College admits about 64% of applicants.

14

Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University came in at #14 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,798. Students borrow a median of $41,996 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $42,834. That is a strong return on a $41,996 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $45,015 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

16

Clarke University
Dubuque, IA

Clarke University earned the #16 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,910. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Clarke University earn a median of $42,204 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

17

Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA

Briar Cliff University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,642. Students borrow a median of $29,918 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Briar Cliff University earn a median of $61,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,918 median debt.

18

Grand View University
Des Moines, IA

Grand View University placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,762. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $46,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

19

Waldorf College
Forest City, IA

Waldorf College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,978. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,622. Elementary Education graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $63,346 early in their careers. Set against $24,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.

20

Simpson College
Indianola, IA

Simpson College came in at #20 for value in elementary education this year. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Indianola. Students from in state pay about $47,656 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Simpson College earn a median of $42,760 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

21

William Penn University
Oskaloosa, IA

William Penn University earned the #21 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,642 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.

22

Central College
Pella, IA

Central College landed the #22 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,988 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Central College earn a median of $44,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

23

Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,250. Students borrow a median of $25,757 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $44,999. Set against $25,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

24

Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University landed the #24 spot for elementary education value this year. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $41,178. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.

25

Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

Morningside College earned the #25 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,519 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $48,478. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.