Elementary Education Degree in Springfield, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Springfield, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$51K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.5 yrs
in Springfield
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Springfield, IL Overview
Springfield, Illinois (pop. 114,394) has 9 colleges offering Elementary Education programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $642/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 Springfield is approximately $46,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$12,413/yr
Private Tuition
$27,201/yr
Room & Board
$13,584/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,401/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
61%
Elementary Education Salary in Springfield (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Springfield's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Springfield adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Springfield
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Springfield tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,413 | Private avg: $27,201
Springfield avg aid: $7,401/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,988
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,800
vs HS diploma in Springfield
ROI Payback Period
7.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Springfield
$153,612
Lifetime earnings premium ($257,600) minus total education cost ($103,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Springfield
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Springfield for Elementary Education
University of Illinois Springfield
public
$12,413/yr
$49,652 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lincoln Land Community College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Springfield
Springfield offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Springfield Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$55K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$46K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$54K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$45K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$40K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Peoria, IL
$52K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$45K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Education Majors in Springfield
Instructional Design & Technology
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$46K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$46K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$46K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$46K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Springfield — 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 Springfield.