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2024 Best Elementary Education Schools

698 Colleges in the United States
42,862 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded
Ranked #17 in popularity, elementary education is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 698 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for elementary education students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 42,862 degrees in elementary education to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Elementary Education School

Best Elementary Education Schools The elementary teaching program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Elementary Education rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for elementary education schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Elementary Education Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Elementary Teaching
Bachelor's Degrees in Elementary Teaching
Master's Degrees in Elementary Teaching
Doctor's Degrees in Elementary Teaching

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Elementary Education Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Elementary Education in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of elementary teaching degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Elementary Teaching

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
25th Most Popular In GA
71.4% Growth in Graduates

It's difficult to beat University of Georgia if you wish to pursue a degree in elementary education. Located in the city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were about 14 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from University of Georgia

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
34th Most Popular In NY
38 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

It is difficult to beat Teachers College at Columbia University if you wish to pursue a degree in elementary education. Located in the large city of New York, Teachers College is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #12 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Teachers College is a great university overall.

There were about 38 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Teachers College at Columbia University

3
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In MD
39 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

University of Maryland - College Park is a good choice for students interested in a degree in elementary education. UMCP is a very large public university located in the large suburb of College Park. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.

There were roughly 39 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from University of Maryland - College Park

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In IL
83 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in elementary education. Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were about 83 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In PA

Located in the large city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were approximately 15 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from University of Pennsylvania

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In NJ
113 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the large suburb of Ewing, TCNJ is a public college with a moderately-sized student population. This college ranks 5th out of 44 schools for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.

There were about 113 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at TCNJ in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from The College of New Jersey

7
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In TN
15.0% Growth in Graduates

Vanderbilt is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Nashville. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were roughly 20 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Vanderbilt University

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
27th Most Popular In NY
34 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #27 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 34 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from New York University

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In IN
106 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

IU Bloomington is a very large public university located in the small city of Bloomington. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were roughly 106 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Indiana University - Bloomington

10
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NV
99 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

UNLV is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Las Vegas. This university ranks 1st out of 9 colleges for overall quality in the state of Nevada.

There were roughly 99 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UNLV in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from University of Nevada - Las Vegas

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In WA
97 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #37 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UW Seattle is a great university overall.

There were roughly 97 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

12
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IA
281 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Cedar Falls, UNI is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 4th out of 40 colleges for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were about 281 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UNI in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from University of Northern Iowa

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In WA
56 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

WWU is a large public university located in the small city of Bellingham. This university ranks 5th out of 51 schools for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were about 56 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at WWU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Western Washington University

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WA
238 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the town of Ellensburg, CWU is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 7th out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were roughly 238 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at CWU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Central Washington University

15
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In DE
156 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

UD is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Newark. This university ranks 1st out of 4 schools for overall quality in the state of Delaware.

There were approximately 156 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UD in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from University of Delaware

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MD
111 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Towson, Towson is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 36 colleges for overall quality in the state of Maryland.

There were about 111 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Towson in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Towson University

17
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
17th Most Popular In IL

Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were about 30 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Chicago in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Loyola University Chicago

18
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In IN
81 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Purdue is a fairly large public university located in the city of West Lafayette. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Purdue is a great university overall.

There were about 81 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Purdue University - Main Campus

19
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In WA
230 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the town of Pullman, Wazzu is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were roughly 230 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Wazzu in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Washington State University

20
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In CA
38 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize city of Santa Clara, SCU is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #50 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means SCU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 38 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Santa Clara University

21
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In MN
61 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #51 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were about 61 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

22
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In UT
122 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

BYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Provo. This university ranks 1st out of 13 schools for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were roughly 122 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at BYU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University - Provo

23
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In AZ
363 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Flagstaff, NAU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 26 schools for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

There were about 363 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at NAU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University

24
Rider crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In NJ
73 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Rider is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. This university ranks 12th out of 44 schools for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.

There were roughly 73 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Rider in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Rider University

25
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IA
163 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Ames, Iowa State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 40 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were roughly 163 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Iowa State University

Rest of the Top 50 Best Elementary Education Schools

26
27
28
29
30
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
31
32

33

34
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
35
36
37
38
39
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
40
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
41

41

42
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, NY
43
44
45
46
47
48
49

Remaining Award Winners

This list represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Elementary Education Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 698 different United States elementary education schools we analyzed.

RankCollegeLocation
50Whitworth UniversitySpokane, WA
51Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn, NY
52The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL
53North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC
54DePaul UniversityChicago, IL
55Baylor UniversityWaco, TX
56Bradley UniversityPeoria, IL
57Messiah UniversityMechanicsburg, PA
57Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw, GA
58Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA
59Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS
60University of Virginia - Main CampusCharlottesville, VA
61University of Missouri - ColumbiaColumbia, MO
62University of South Florida - Main CampusTampa, FL
63University of KansasLawrence, KS
64Rowan UniversityGlassboro, NJ
65Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL
66University of Michigan - Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI
67Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL
68National Louis UniversityChicago, IL
69Oklahoma State University - Main CampusStillwater, OK
70University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND
71University of South DakotaVermillion, SD
72University of Oklahoma Norman CampusNorman, OK
73Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City, UT
74Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA
74Samford UniversityBirmingham, AL
75University of West AlabamaLivingston, AL
76Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI
77Augustana UniversitySioux Falls, SD
78Saint Mary’s College of CaliforniaMoraga, CA
79University of RochesterRochester, NY
80Martin Luther CollegeNew Ulm, MN
81Saint Martin’s UniversityLacey, WA
82Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno, CA
83Brandman UniversityIrvine, CA
84Mercer UniversityMacon, GA
85East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC
86Fordham UniversityBronx, NY
87Bank Street College of EducationNew York, NY
88Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
89Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD
90George Washington UniversityWashington, DC
91Winona State UniversityWinona, MN
92Dordt UniversitySioux Center, IA
93William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ
94Drake UniversityDes Moines, IA
95Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS
96Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL
97University of St Thomas MinnesotaSaint Paul, MN
98Louisiana Tech UniversityRuston, LA
99Boston UniversityBoston, MA
100University of Wisconsin - La CrosseLa Crosse, WI
101University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC
102Concordia University, ChicagoRiver Forest, IL
103University of WyomingLaramie, WY
104American UniversityWashington, DC

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Elementary Education students that almost earned our Best Elementary Education Schools award.

RankCollegeLocation
105Rutgers University - New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ
106George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA
107Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA
108University of North Carolina at WilmingtonWilmington, NC
109Delaware Technical Community College - TerryDover, DE
110Ohio State University - Main CampusColumbus, OH
111University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY
112University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL
113University of Nevada - RenoReno, NV
114Heritage UniversityToppenish, WA
115University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC
116Harding UniversitySearcy, AR
117Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma, WA
118University of Wisconsin - WhitewaterWhitewater, WI
119Minnesota State University - MankatoMankato, MN
120Viterbo UniversityLa Crosse, WI
121Aurora UniversityAurora, IL
122Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
123University of North FloridaJacksonville, FL
124National UniversitySan Diego, CA
125Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CT
126Calvin UniversityGrand Rapids, MI
127Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA
128Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix, AZ
129Trinity UniversitySan Antonio, TX
130Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud, MN
130Concordia University, NebraskaSeward, NE
131Worcester State UniversityWorcester, MA
132Valley City State UniversityValley City, ND
133Carroll UniversityWaukesha, WI
134Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago, IL
135Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA
136Queens CollegeQueens, NY
137Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE
138Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego, CA
139Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI

Elementary Education by Region

View the Best Elementary Education Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Elementary Education is one of 13 different types of Teacher Education Grade Specific programs to choose from.

Majors Similar to Elementary Teaching

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Early Childhood Education31,937
Secondary Education11,071
Teacher Education9,653
Teacher Development & Methodology6,929
Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching3,583
Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching2,913
Adult & Continuing Education987
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational Methods286
Montessori Teacher Education236
Online Educator/Online Teaching153

View All Elementary Teaching Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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