Elementary Education Degree in Clarksville, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Clarksville, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$50K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Clarksville
Cost of Living
90
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Clarksville, TN Overview
Clarksville, Tennessee (pop. 166,722) has 9 colleges offering Elementary Education programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $838/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 Clarksville is approximately $45,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$9,312/yr
Private Tuition
$28,321/yr
Room & Board
$13,192/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,661/yr
Unemployment
6.3%
Graduation Rate
66%
Elementary Education Salary in Clarksville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Clarksville's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Clarksville adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Clarksville
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Clarksville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $28,321
Clarksville avg aid: $12,661/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$90,016
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,500
vs HS diploma in Clarksville
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Clarksville
$161,984
Lifetime earnings premium ($252,000) minus total education cost ($90,016)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Clarksville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Clarksville for Elementary Education
Austin Peay State University
public
$9,312/yr
$37,248 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Nashville State Community College Clarksville
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Clarksville
Clarksville offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Clarksville Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$46K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$47K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$43K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$40K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$46K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Franklin, TN
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$53K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Education Majors in Clarksville
Instructional Design & Technology
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$45K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Clarksville — 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 Clarksville.