Elementary Education Degree in Garden Grove, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Garden Grove, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$75K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$83K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.6 yrs
in Garden Grove
Cost of Living
150.3
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Garden Grove, CA Overview
Garden Grove, California (pop. 172,646) has 7 colleges offering Elementary Education programs. The local cost of living index of 150.3 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,160/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 Garden Grove is approximately $75,150.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$17,153/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,754/yr
Unemployment
5.3%
Graduation Rate
66%
Elementary Education Salary in Garden Grove (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Garden Grove's cost of living index of 150.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Garden Grove adjustment factor: 1.50x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Garden Grove
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Garden Grove tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Garden Grove avg aid: $9,754/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$126,612
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$22,545
vs HS diploma in Garden Grove
ROI Payback Period
5.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Garden Grove
$294,228
Lifetime earnings premium ($420,840) minus total education cost ($126,612)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Garden Grove
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Garden Grove for Elementary Education
Garden Grove State University
public
$13,746/yr
$54,984 total
University of Garden Grove
public
$14,677/yr
$58,708 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Garden Grove Community College
$6,550/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Garden Grove
Garden Grove offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Garden Grove Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Education Majors in Garden Grove
Instructional Design & Technology
$75K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$75K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$75K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$75K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$75K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$75K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$75K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Garden Grove — 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 Garden Grove.