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2023 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

200 Ranked Colleges
11,435 Degrees Awarded
$6,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 200 colleges that offer a degree in elementary education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality elementary education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the elementary education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

1
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Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 17 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $4,652 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, 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 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Vanderbilt Elementary Education Report

2
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University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 200 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Florida is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 118 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

UF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $2,857 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Florida.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, 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 97%.

Read more about Elementary Education at UF

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 142 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa also took the #18 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Florida - Main Campus is $5,632 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 full report on 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 $30-$48k list. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 319 students in 2020-2021.

UCF also took the #3 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCF is $6,256 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UCF

5

Out of the 200 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 108 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

FIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $4,882 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FIU.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Elementary Education at FIU

6
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Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 71 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $7,349 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Florida State University

7
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University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UGA is $10,688 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 University of Georgia

8
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William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Williamsburg, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, William & Mary is in the top on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $7,507 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend William & Mary.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full William & Mary Elementary Education Report

9
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Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

Wake Forest University excels when it comes to elementary teaching quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $5,612 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wake Forest University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Wake Forest University

10
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University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNF is located in Jacksonville, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 92 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UNF also did well on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $6,074 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNF.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at University of North Florida

11
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Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Boone, North Carolina, and 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. It costs about $9,940 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Appalachian State University.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Appalachian State University

12
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North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 60 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $9,448 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 North Carolina State University

13
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Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

With a ranking of #13, Indian River State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indian River State College is a public institution located in Fort Pierce, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,595 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indian River State College.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Indian River State College

14
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Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Boca Raton, Florida, this large public school handed out 119 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,262 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida Atlantic University.

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%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Florida Atlantic University

15
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Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NKU 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 estimated yearly cost for Northern Kentucky University is $5,947 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Northern Kentucky University

16
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Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Huntington, West Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,254 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Marshall University.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Marshall University

17
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University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. University of North Georgia is a public institution located in Dahlonega, Georgia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 150 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNG also claimed a top spot on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $8,654 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Georgia.

Full UNG Elementary Education Report

18
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Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and it awarded 15 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fayetteville Technical Community College is $4,223 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Fayetteville Technical Community College Elementary Education Report

19

With a ranking of #19, The University of West Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UWF is a public institution located in Pensacola, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,827 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of West Florida.

Read more about Elementary Education at The University of West Florida

20
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Holmes Community College
Goodman, Mississippi

Holmes Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Holmes Community College is a public institution located in Goodman, Mississippi. The school has a small population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,742 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Holmes Community College.

Read more about Elementary Education at Holmes Community College

21
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Itawamba Community College
Fulton, Mississippi

Itawamba Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. ICC is a small public school situated in Fulton, Mississippi. It awarded 36 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Itawamba Community College is $3,937 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full ICC Elementary Education Report

22
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Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Florida Gulf Coast University is a fairly large public school situated in Fort Myers, Florida. It awarded 65 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FGCU is $7,969 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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%.

Full FGCU 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 $30-$48k list. St Petersburg College is a public institution located in Clearwater, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 67 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SPC is $2,769 for southeast region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full SPC Elementary Education Report

24
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East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. East Carolina University is located in Greenville, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 233 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

ECU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ECU is $13,029 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Elementary Education at ECU

25
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Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, North Carolina

With a ranking of #25, Elizabeth City State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, this small public school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Elizabeth City State University is $2,407 for Southeast Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Elementary Education at Elizabeth City State University

Rest of the Best 31 in Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 31 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
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Murray State University
Murray, Kentucky
27
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University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
28
29
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Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina
30
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Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi
31
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University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

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