Elementary Education Degree in Aurora, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Aurora, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$61K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Aurora
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Aurora, CO Overview
Aurora is one of Colorado's top college towns, with 28 institutions and a student population of 20,916. Public tuition averages $11,380/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Aurora is approximately $55,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
28
Public Tuition
$11,380/yr
Private Tuition
$47,322/yr
Room & Board
$13,656/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,981/yr
Unemployment
3.1%
Graduation Rate
63%
Elementary Education Salary in Aurora (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Aurora's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Aurora adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Aurora
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Aurora tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,380 | Private avg: $47,322
Aurora avg aid: $16,981/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$100,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,650
vs HS diploma in Aurora
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Aurora
$210,656
Lifetime earnings premium ($310,800) minus total education cost ($100,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Aurora
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Aurora for Elementary Education
University of Colorado Anschutz
public
$11,380/yr
$45,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Community College of Aurora
$4,419/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Aurora
Aurora offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Aurora Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$64K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Fort Collins, CO
$63K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Lakewood, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.8
6 colleges
Thornton, CO
$51K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Arvada, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.5
5 colleges
Westminster, CO
$52K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Education Majors in Aurora
Instructional Design & Technology
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$56K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$56K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Aurora — 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 Aurora.