2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Minnesota

1

University Of Minnesota Morris
Morris, MN

University Of Minnesota Morris tops our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools in Minnesota. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,526, while out-of-state students pay about $16,710. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $46,414. That is a strong return on a $24,767 median debt. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.

2

Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at Ridgewater College, which ranked #2. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,556. Elementary Education graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $42,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,580. Set against $25,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #4 place for elementary education. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,598. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $36,271. Set against $21,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

5

Minneapolis Community And Technical College
Minneapolis, MN

A rank of #5 makes Minneapolis Community And Technical College one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,036. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $43,164. Set against $24,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN

Southwest Minnesota State University placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,333. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.

7

Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University earned the #7 position for value in elementary education this year. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Students borrow a median of $27,757 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $42,841 early in their careers. Set against $27,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.

8

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $42,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

9

Bethany Lutheran College
Mankato, MN

Bethany Lutheran College came in at #9 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Bethany Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,360. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

10

Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,245. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.

11

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,470 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $42,519. That is a strong return on a $26,470 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

12

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $26,603 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $49,867 early in their careers. Set against $26,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.

13

Martin Luther College
New Ulm, MN

Martin Luther College landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of New Ulm. In-state tuition and fees average $18,120. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Martin Luther College generally make around $46,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

14

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University came in at #14 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $28,279. Elementary Education graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $42,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,279 median debt. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.

15

Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University landed the #15 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $59,462. That is a strong return on a $25,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

16

St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University placed #16 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,883 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,913. That is a strong return on a $29,883 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

17

North Central University
Minneapolis, MN

North Central University placed #17 among the best values for elementary education. North Central University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $32,220 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,927. Set against $26,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Central University admits about 99% of applicants.

18

Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,511. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Augsburg College admits about 82% of applicants.

19

The College Of Saint Scholastica
Duluth, MN

The College Of Saint Scholastica landed the #19 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,778. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $22,495. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from The College Of Saint Scholastica generally make around $47,898. That is a strong return on a $22,495 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

20

Northwestern College Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Northwestern College Minnesota ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,920. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern College Minnesota admits about 94% of applicants.

21

Concordia College At Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Concordia College At Moorhead landed the #21 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,170 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Concordia College At Moorhead earn a median of $44,195 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia College At Moorhead admits about 63% of applicants.

22

College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN

College Of Saint Benedict ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Joseph. In-state tuition and fees average $55,756. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $43,466. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Saint Benedict admits about 92% of applicants.

23

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota earned the #23 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #24 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $47,728. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.