Elementary Education Degree in Modesto, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Modesto, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$65K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.1 yrs
in Modesto
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Modesto, CA Overview
Modesto, California (pop. 218,464) has 9 colleges offering Elementary Education programs. The local cost of living index of 130 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,224/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 Modesto is approximately $65,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$1,540/yr
Private Tuition
$57,167/yr
Room & Board
$18,295/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,378/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Elementary Education Salary in Modesto (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Modesto's cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Modesto adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Modesto
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Modesto tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $1,540 | Private avg: $57,167
Modesto avg aid: $10,378/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,340
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,500
vs HS diploma in Modesto
ROI Payback Period
4.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Modesto
$284,660
Lifetime earnings premium ($364,000) minus total education cost ($79,340)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Modesto
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Modesto for Elementary Education
Modesto Junior College
public
$1,540/yr
$6,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Modesto Junior College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Modesto
Modesto offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Modesto Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Education Majors in Modesto
Instructional Design & Technology
$65K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$65K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$65K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$65K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$65K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Modesto — 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 Modesto.