Elementary Education Degree in Lansing, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Lansing, MI. 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
7.4 yrs
in Lansing
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Lansing, MI Overview
Lansing, Michigan (pop. 112,644) has 6 colleges offering Elementary Education programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $733/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 Lansing is approximately $42,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$14,460/yr
Private Tuition
$35,667/yr
Room & Board
$9,189/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,827/yr
Unemployment
6.1%
Graduation Rate
59%
Elementary Education Salary in Lansing (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lansing's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Lansing adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Lansing
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Lansing tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,460 | Private avg: $35,667
Lansing avg aid: $12,827/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$94,596
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,750
vs HS diploma in Lansing
ROI Payback Period
7.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lansing
$143,404
Lifetime earnings premium ($238,000) minus total education cost ($94,596)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Lansing
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lansing for Elementary Education
Michigan State University
public
$14,460/yr
$57,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lansing Community College
$4,296/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Lansing
Lansing offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lansing Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$44K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Grand Rapids, MI
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Warren, MI
$44K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$46K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Ann Arbor, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
14 colleges
Dearborn, MI
$45K starting · COL 90.5
5 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$48K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$47K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Lansing
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 Lansing — 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 Lansing.