Elementary Education Degree in Gilbert, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Gilbert, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.9 yrs
in Gilbert
Cost of Living
119
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Gilbert, AZ Overview
Gilbert is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 26 institutions and a student population of 27,183. Public tuition averages $11,758/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 Gilbert is approximately $59,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
26
Public Tuition
$11,758/yr
Private Tuition
$26,400/yr
Room & Board
$19,092/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,808/yr
Unemployment
4.9%
Graduation Rate
49%
Elementary Education Salary in Gilbert (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Gilbert's cost of living index of 119 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Gilbert adjustment factor: 1.19x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Gilbert
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Gilbert tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,758 | Private avg: $26,400
Gilbert avg aid: $12,808/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,400
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,850
vs HS diploma in Gilbert
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Gilbert
$209,800
Lifetime earnings premium ($333,200) minus total education cost ($123,400)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Gilbert
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Gilbert for Elementary Education
University of Advancing Technology Gilbert
private
$26,400/yr
$105,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Gilbert
Gilbert offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Gilbert Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$76K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$58K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$53K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Education Majors in Gilbert
Instructional Design & Technology
$60K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$60K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$60K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$60K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$60K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Gilbert — 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 Gilbert.