Elementary Education Degree in Indianapolis, IN — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Indianapolis, IN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$52K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.4 yrs
in Indianapolis
Cost of Living
94
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Indianapolis, IN Overview
Indianapolis is one of Indiana's top college towns, with 25 institutions and a student population of 38,913. Public tuition averages $9,944/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 Indianapolis is approximately $47,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
25
Public Tuition
$9,944/yr
Private Tuition
$39,815/yr
Room & Board
$12,486/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,595/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
56%
Elementary Education Salary in Indianapolis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Indianapolis's cost of living index of 94 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Indianapolis adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Indianapolis
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Indianapolis tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,944 | Private avg: $39,815
Indianapolis avg aid: $12,595/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,720
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,100
vs HS diploma in Indianapolis
ROI Payback Period
6.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Indianapolis
$173,480
Lifetime earnings premium ($263,200) minus total education cost ($89,720)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Indianapolis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Indianapolis for Elementary Education
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
public
$9,944/yr
$39,776 total
Butler University
private
$46,710/yr
$186,840 total
University of Indianapolis
private
$32,920/yr
$131,680 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Ivy Tech Community College
$4,540/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Indianapolis
Indianapolis offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Indianapolis Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Indiana Cities
Fort Wayne, IN
$52K starting · COL 103
24 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 Indianapolis
Instructional Design & Technology
$47K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$47K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$47K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$47K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Indianapolis — 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 Indianapolis.