2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Missouri

1

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Leading the list is Truman State University, our #1 best value for elementary education in Missouri. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,168. Elementary Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $41,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.

2

Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO

A rank of #2 makes Missouri Southern State University one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

3

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri St Louis earned it the #3 place for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,375. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $42,019 early in their careers. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.

4

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $39,942 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

5

College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

College Of The Ozarks came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $32,676. The acceptance rate is 12%.

6

Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, MO

Missouri Western State University placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,352 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $33,695. Set against $21,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Lincoln University Missouri
Jefferson City, MO

Lincoln University Missouri landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,796 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $30,259 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $33,262. Set against $30,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $22,995 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,061. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

9

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
Fayette, MO

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies placed #9 among the best values for elementary education. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $20,431. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $32,393. Set against $20,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.

10

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $37,066. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

11

Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies
Springfield, MO

Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned the #11 position for value in elementary education this year. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $8,054 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,262 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies generally make around $31,726. That is a strong return on a $26,262 median debt.

12

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,199. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $38,947. Set against $24,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

13

Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University placed #13 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,732. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $36,667. Set against $25,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

15

Missouri Valley College
Marshall, MO

Missouri Valley College placed #15 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,700. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,892. Elementary Education graduates of Missouri Valley College earn a median of $44,318 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

16

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #16 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $20,867. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $37,302. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

17

Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University landed the #17 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

18

Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, MO

Fontbonne University placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,976 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $31,196. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt.

19

Evangel University
Springfield, MO

Evangel University landed the #19 spot for elementary education value this year. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $36,005. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.

20

Southwest Baptist University
Bolivar, MO

Southwest Baptist University placed #20 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,566 in tuition and fees. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Southwest Baptist University earn a median of $27,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.

21

Hannibal Lagrange College
Hannibal, MO

Hannibal Lagrange College came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Hannibal, Hannibal Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,880. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,250. Elementary Education graduates of Hannibal Lagrange College earn a median of $32,927 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

22

Drury University
Springfield, MO

Drury University landed the #22 spot for elementary education value this year. Drury University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,745. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,262. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Drury University generally make around $31,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drury University admits about 58% of applicants.

23

Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences
Fayette, MO

Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. In-state tuition and fees average $28,620. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $20,431. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $32,393. That is a strong return on a $20,431 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

24

Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis, MO

Missouri Baptist University landed the #24 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,122. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $38,068 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

25

Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #25 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,166. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,500. Elementary Education graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $67,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.