Elementary Education Degree in Tucson, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Tucson, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.9 yrs
in Tucson
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Tucson, AZ Overview
Tucson is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 21,782. Public tuition averages $7,664/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Tucson is approximately $58,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$7,664/yr
Private Tuition
$31,536/yr
Room & Board
$18,163/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,106/yr
Unemployment
3.7%
Graduation Rate
67%
Elementary Education Salary in Tucson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tucson's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Tucson adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Tucson
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local Tucson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,664 | Private avg: $31,536
Tucson avg aid: $14,106/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,308
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,400
vs HS diploma in Tucson
ROI Payback Period
5.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tucson
$221,492
Lifetime earnings premium ($324,800) minus total education cost ($103,308)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Tucson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tucson for Elementary Education
University of Arizona
public
$12,748/yr
$50,992 total
Pima Community College
public
$2,580/yr
$10,320 total
Prescott College
private
$31,536/yr
$126,144 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pima Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in Tucson
Tucson offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tucson Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$76K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$60K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$53K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Education Majors in Tucson
Instructional Design & Technology
$58K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$58K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$58K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$58K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in Tucson — 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 Tucson.