Elementary Education Degree in Newark, NJ — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Newark, NJ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$68K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$74K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Newark
Cost of Living
135
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Newark, NJ Overview
Newark, New Jersey (pop. 311,549) has 14 colleges offering Elementary Education programs. The local cost of living index of 135 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,595/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 Newark is approximately $67,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$16,507/yr
Private Tuition
$47,742/yr
Room & Board
$15,130/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,623/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
74%
Elementary Education Salary in Newark (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Newark's cost of living index of 135 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Newark adjustment factor: 1.35x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Newark
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Newark tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,507 | Private avg: $47,742
Newark avg aid: $8,623/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$126,548
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,250
vs HS diploma in Newark
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Newark
$251,452
Lifetime earnings premium ($378,000) minus total education cost ($126,548)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Newark
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Newark for Elementary Education
Rutgers University-Newark
public
$14,974/yr
$59,896 total
New Jersey Institute of Technology
public
$18,040/yr
$72,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Essex County College
$5,040/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Newark
Newark offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Newark Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby New Jersey Cities
Jersey City, NJ
$64K starting · COL 127
23 colleges
Paterson, NJ
$65K starting · COL 129
5 colleges
Elizabeth, NJ
$58K starting · COL 115.5
6 colleges
Edison, NJ
$59K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Lakewood, NJ
$64K starting · COL 128.8
5 colleges
Woodbridge, NJ
$56K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Toms River, NJ
$59K starting · COL 117.7
4 colleges
Trenton, NJ
$67K starting · COL 134
8 colleges
Other Education Majors in Newark
Instructional Design & Technology
$68K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$68K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$68K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$68K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$68K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$68K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$68K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Newark — 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 Newark.