Elementary Education Degree in Joliet, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Joliet, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$59K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Joliet
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Joliet, IL Overview
Joliet, Illinois (pop. 150,362) has 12 colleges offering Elementary Education programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $880/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 Joliet is approximately $54,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$8,958/yr
Private Tuition
$36,980/yr
Room & Board
$13,014/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,482/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
70%
Elementary Education Salary in Joliet (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Joliet's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Joliet adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Joliet
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Joliet tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,958 | Private avg: $36,980
Joliet avg aid: $7,482/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,888
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,200
vs HS diploma in Joliet
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Joliet
$214,512
Lifetime earnings premium ($302,400) minus total education cost ($87,888)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Joliet
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Joliet for Elementary Education
University of St. Francis
private
$36,980/yr
$147,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Joliet Junior College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Joliet
Joliet offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Joliet Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$55K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$46K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$45K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$40K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$46K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$52K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$45K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Joliet
Instructional Design & Technology
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$54K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$54K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$54K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Joliet — 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 Joliet.