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2023 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

200 Ranked Colleges
11,435 Degrees Awarded
$6,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 43,003 people earned their degree in elementary education, making the major the 17th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southeast region, there were 11,435 elementary education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 200 colleges that offer a degree in elementary education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent elementary education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the elementary education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

1
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Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt is $3,176 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Vanderbilt University

2
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University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 118 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $65 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UF.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UF

3

Out of the 200 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 142 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

USF Tampa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Florida - Main Campus is $4,176 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at USF Tampa

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Central Florida. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCF is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 319 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCF, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Central Florida is $4,468 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Elementary Education at University of Central Florida

5
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University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Georgia. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UGA is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for UGA is $8,303 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UGA Elementary Education Report

6

With a ranking of #6, Florida International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 108 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, FIU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend FIU is $3,196 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Elementary Education at FIU

7
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Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 71 students in 2020-2021.

Florida State also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $4,950 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Florida State University Elementary Education Report

8
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Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Appalachian State University is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 165 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

Appalachian State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $7,354 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Appalachian State

9
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 60 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

NC State also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $7,283 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Carolina State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at North Carolina State University

10
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 10 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Wake Forest University also did well on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $10,401 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Wake Forest University

11
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University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 92 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UNF is also in the top of our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for UNF is $4,367 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at University of North Florida

12
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William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, and it awarded 7 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

William & Mary excels when it comes to elementary teaching quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $5,972 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend William & Mary.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at William & Mary

13
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Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 112 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend NKU is $4,632 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Elementary Education at Northern Kentucky University

14
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Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Boca Raton, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 119 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FAU is $6,726 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Florida Atlantic University

15
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University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Dahlonega, Georgia, and it awarded 150 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UNG is also in the top of our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend UNG is $7,943 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at University of North Georgia

16

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 62 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Louisiana State University also did well on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Louisiana State University is $11,318 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Louisiana State University Elementary Education Report

17
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Marshall University is a public institution located in Huntington, West Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Marshall University is $5,377 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Elementary Education at Marshall University

18
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East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Greenville, North Carolina, and it awarded 233 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

ECU also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for East Carolina University is $11,260 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Elementary Education at East Carolina University

19

With a ranking of #19, University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNC Greensboro is a fairly large school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 60 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Greensboro also claimed a top spot on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $7,645 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Elementary Education at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

20
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Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida Gulf Coast University is a fairly large school located in Fort Myers, Florida that handed out 65 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,762 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend FGCU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at FGCU

21
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Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #21, Fayetteville Technical Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. FTCC is a public institution located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend FTCC is $2,883 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Elementary Education at FTCC

22
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Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Fort Pierce, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indian River State College is $2,686 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Indian River State College Elementary Education Report

23
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St Petersburg College
Clearwater, Florida

St Petersburg College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Clearwater, Florida, this large public school awarded 67 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SPC is $676 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full St Petersburg College Elementary Education Report

24
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University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UK is a large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 96 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

UK also took the #8 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kentucky is $12,593 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UK

25
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University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

With a ranking of #25, University of Arkansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UARK is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 100 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

UARK not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UARK is $12,003 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UARK

Rest of the Best 32 in Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 32 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
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Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia
28
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Itawamba Community College
Fulton, Mississippi
29
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Holmes Community College
Goodman, Mississippi
30
31
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Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina
31
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Murray State University
Murray, Kentucky

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