Elementary Education Degree in Killeen, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Killeen, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$47K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Killeen
Cost of Living
85.2
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Killeen, TX Overview
Killeen, Texas (pop. 153,095) has 6 colleges offering Elementary Education programs. The local cost of living index of 85.2 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $585/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 Killeen is approximately $42,600.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$10,900/yr
Private Tuition
$36,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,516/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,816/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
58%
Elementary Education Salary in Killeen (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Killeen's cost of living index of 85.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Killeen adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Killeen
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Killeen tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000
Killeen avg aid: $10,816/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$97,664
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,780
vs HS diploma in Killeen
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Killeen
$140,896
Lifetime earnings premium ($238,560) minus total education cost ($97,664)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Killeen
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Killeen for Elementary Education
Killeen State University
public
$10,256/yr
$41,024 total
University of Killeen
public
$10,971/yr
$43,884 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Killeen Community College
$5,619/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Killeen
Killeen offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Killeen Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$58K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$60K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$52K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$54K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$51K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$47K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$47K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$41K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Education Majors in Killeen
Instructional Design & Technology
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$43K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$43K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$43K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Killeen — 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 Killeen.