Elementary Education Degree in Kansas City, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Kansas City, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$41K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$45K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.5 yrs
in Kansas City
Cost of Living
82.5
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Kansas City, KS Overview
Kansas City, Kansas (pop. 156,607) has 6 colleges offering Elementary Education programs. The local cost of living index of 82.5 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $405/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 Kansas City is approximately $41,250.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$10,000/yr
Private Tuition
$28,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,267/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,093/yr
Unemployment
2.9%
Graduation Rate
61%
Elementary Education Salary in Kansas City (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Kansas City's cost of living index of 82.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Kansas City adjustment factor: 0.82x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Kansas City
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Kansas City tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,000 | Private avg: $28,000
Kansas City avg aid: $14,093/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,068
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,375
vs HS diploma in Kansas City
ROI Payback Period
7.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Kansas City
$137,932
Lifetime earnings premium ($231,000) minus total education cost ($93,068)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Kansas City
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Kansas City for Elementary Education
Kansas City State University
public
$9,282/yr
$37,128 total
University of Kansas City
public
$9,330/yr
$37,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Kansas City Community College
$5,644/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Kansas City
Kansas City offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Kansas City Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$52K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$52K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Olathe, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$42K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$54K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$43K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$48K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Education Majors in Kansas City
Instructional Design & Technology
$41K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$41K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$41K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$41K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$41K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$41K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$41K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Kansas City — 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 Kansas City.