Elementary Education Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Preparation for teaching children in grades K-6 across all subjects.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$55K
salary
ROI Payback
5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
2.5%
rate
Elementary Education Overview
Preparation for teaching children in grades K-6 across all subjects.
Category
Education
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
72%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
8%
Lifetime Premium
$280K
Female Graduates
82%
Elementary Education Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$14,400
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$14,400
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$265,600
Lifetime earnings premium ($280,000) minus net degree cost ($14,400)
Elementary Education Salary Progression
Common Elementary Education Careers
Elementary Teacher
Curriculum Developer
Instructional Coach
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Elementary Education
#1
Vanderbilt
#2
University of Michigan
#3
University of Wisconsin
#4
Boston College
#5
Columbia Teachers College
Related Majors
Elementary Education Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Elementary Education Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for elementary education programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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