Elementary Education Degree in Santa Fe, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Santa Fe, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Santa Fe
Cost of Living
118
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Santa Fe, NM Overview
Santa Fe, New Mexico (pop. 87,505) has 7 colleges offering Elementary Education programs. The local cost of living index of 118 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,028/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 Santa Fe is approximately $59,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$13,566/yr
Private Tuition
$38,206/yr
Room & Board
$15,986/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,970/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
65%
Elementary Education Salary in Santa Fe (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Santa Fe's cost of living index of 118 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Santa Fe adjustment factor: 1.18x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Santa Fe
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Santa Fe tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,566 | Private avg: $38,206
Santa Fe avg aid: $11,970/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$118,208
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,700
vs HS diploma in Santa Fe
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Santa Fe
$212,192
Lifetime earnings premium ($330,400) minus total education cost ($118,208)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Santa Fe
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Santa Fe for Elementary Education
St. John's College
private
$38,206/yr
$152,824 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Santa Fe Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Santa Fe
Santa Fe offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Santa Fe Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Education Majors in Santa Fe
Instructional Design & Technology
$59K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$59K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$59K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$59K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Santa Fe — 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 Santa Fe.