Elementary Education Degree in Athens, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Athens, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$57K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Athens
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Athens, GA Overview
Athens, Georgia (pop. 127,064) has 11 colleges offering Elementary Education programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $743/month. Although national enrollment in Elementary Education has been declining, graduates with skills in Lesson Planning and Classroom Management remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Athens is approximately $51,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$12,080/yr
Private Tuition
$42,791/yr
Room & Board
$10,251/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,146/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
50%
Elementary Education Salary in Athens (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Athens's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Athens adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Athens
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Athens tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,080 | Private avg: $42,791
Athens avg aid: $13,146/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,324
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,450
vs HS diploma in Athens
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Athens
$199,076
Lifetime earnings premium ($288,400) minus total education cost ($89,324)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Athens
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Athens for Elementary Education
University of Georgia
public
$12,080/yr
$48,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Athens Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Athens
Athens offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Athens Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$42K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$42K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Macon, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$48K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$54K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Athens
Instructional Design & Technology
$52K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$52K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$52K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$52K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Athens — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Elementary Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Athens.