Elementary Education Degree in Fort Wayne, IN — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Fort Wayne, IN. 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
5.4 yrs
in Fort Wayne
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Fort Wayne, IN Overview
Fort Wayne is one of Indiana's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 17,119. Public tuition averages $8,380/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 Fort Wayne is approximately $51,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$8,380/yr
Private Tuition
$30,416/yr
Room & Board
$12,588/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,185/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
68%
Elementary Education Salary in Fort Wayne (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fort Wayne'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.Fort Wayne adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Fort Wayne
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Fort Wayne tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,380 | Private avg: $30,416
Fort Wayne avg aid: $16,185/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$83,872
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,450
vs HS diploma in Fort Wayne
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fort Wayne
$204,528
Lifetime earnings premium ($288,400) minus total education cost ($83,872)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Fort Wayne
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fort Wayne for Elementary Education
Purdue University Fort Wayne
public
$8,380/yr
$33,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne
$4,540/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fort Wayne Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Indiana Cities
Indianapolis, IN
$47K starting · COL 94
25 colleges
Evansville, IN
$43K starting · COL 86
10 colleges
South Bend, IN
$45K starting · COL 89
9 colleges
Carmel, IN
$53K starting · COL 105.2
4 colleges
Fishers, IN
$50K starting · COL 100.5
4 colleges
Bloomington, IN
$42K starting · COL 83
5 colleges
Hammond, IN
$47K starting · COL 93.1
4 colleges
Lafayette, IN
$42K starting · COL 84.8
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Fort Wayne
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 Fort Wayne — 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 Fort Wayne.