Elementary Education Degree in Columbus, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Columbus, OH. 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
6 yrs
in Columbus
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Columbus, OH Overview
Columbus is one of Ohio's top college towns, with 31 institutions and a student population of 31,081. Public tuition averages $11,936/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 Columbus is approximately $51,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
31
Public Tuition
$11,936/yr
Private Tuition
$25,555/yr
Room & Board
$11,227/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,971/yr
Unemployment
5%
Graduation Rate
59%
Elementary Education Salary in Columbus (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Columbus'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.Columbus adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Columbus
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Columbus tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,936 | Private avg: $25,555
Columbus avg aid: $15,971/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,652
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,450
vs HS diploma in Columbus
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Columbus
$195,748
Lifetime earnings premium ($288,400) minus total education cost ($92,652)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Columbus
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Columbus for Elementary Education
Ohio State University
public
$11,936/yr
$47,744 total
Capital University
private
$39,426/yr
$157,704 total
Franklin University
private
$11,683/yr
$46,732 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Columbus State Community College
$5,016/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Columbus
Columbus offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Columbus Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Ohio Cities
Cleveland, OH
$48K starting · COL 96
20 colleges
Cincinnati, OH
$51K starting · COL 102
28 colleges
Toledo, OH
$54K starting · COL 108
16 colleges
Akron, OH
$53K starting · COL 105
5 colleges
Dayton, OH
$52K starting · COL 104
9 colleges
Parma, OH
$45K starting · COL 90
4 colleges
Canton, OH
$42K starting · COL 84
4 colleges
Lorain, OH
$43K starting · COL 85.2
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Columbus
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 Columbus — 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 Columbus.