Elementary Education Degree in Lincoln, NE — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Lincoln, NE. 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
6.2 yrs
in Lincoln
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Lincoln, NE Overview
Lincoln, Nebraska (pop. 291,082) has 9 colleges offering Elementary Education programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $867/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 Lincoln is approximately $42,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$9,242/yr
Private Tuition
$36,730/yr
Room & Board
$10,611/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,317/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
57%
Elementary Education Salary in Lincoln (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lincoln'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.Lincoln adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Lincoln
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Lincoln tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,242 | Private avg: $36,730
Lincoln avg aid: $13,317/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,412
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,750
vs HS diploma in Lincoln
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lincoln
$158,588
Lifetime earnings premium ($238,000) minus total education cost ($79,412)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Lincoln
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lincoln for Elementary Education
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
public
$9,242/yr
$36,968 total
Nebraska Wesleyan University
private
$36,730/yr
$146,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Southeast Community College
$3,540/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Lincoln
Lincoln offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lincoln Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Nebraska Cities
Other Education Majors in Lincoln
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 Lincoln — 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 Lincoln.