2027 Best Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 183 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for education students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Education in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall education education in the The Plains States Region.
Top Schools in Education
Rockhurst University tops our 2027 ranking of the best education schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rockhurst University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 56 education degrees were awarded at Rockhurst University in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $70,849 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,111 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in education from Rockhurst University
Washington University In St Louis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 39 education students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
More information about a degree in education from Washington University In St Louis
Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Rolla. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Missouri University Of Science And Technology awarded about 24 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $74,532. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete this degree.
Read more about the education program at Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Students looking for a strong education program will find one at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 785 education degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $44,724 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $19,378 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Creighton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 181 education students who graduated with this degree at Creighton University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Creighton University earn around $76,815 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,831.
See the full education program report for Creighton University
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Omaha. About 49% of students finish within six years. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health awarded about 22 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health earn a median of $64,158 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,121.
See the full education program report for Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 236 education degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $55,225 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the education program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Drake University landed the #8 spot for education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 252 education students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $58,212. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the education program at Drake University
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #9 spot for education this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 349 education students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $79,325 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,081.
Read more about the education program at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
University Of Iowa placed #10 among the best education schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 316 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $47,732 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,239.
More information about a degree in education from University Of Iowa
Gustavus Adolphus College placed #11 among the best education schools. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates 77% of students within six years. About 36 education degrees were awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Gustavus Adolphus College earn around $47,250 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the education program at Gustavus Adolphus College
Hamline University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 247 education degrees were awarded at Hamline University in the most recent year. Education graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $65,969 early in their careers. Hamline University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full education program report for Hamline University
Iowa State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Iowa State University awarded about 296 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Iowa State University earn around $46,781 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,717 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Iowa State University
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #14 spot for education this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 849 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $43,650 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $18,421 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #15 position for education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 469 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $47,278. Typical student debt for the program is $23,673.
More information about a degree in education from University Of Nebraska Lincoln
William Jewell College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Liberty. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 19 education degrees were awarded at William Jewell College in the most recent year. Education graduates of William Jewell College earn a median of $48,588 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,950.
Get the full education details for William Jewell College
Bellevue University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 education degrees were awarded at Bellevue University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. Students borrow a median of $26,556 to complete this degree.
Read more about the education program at Bellevue University
St Olaf College came in at #18 for education this year. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 education students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from St Olaf College earn around $47,807 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in education from St Olaf College
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. There were roughly 62 education students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $46,660 in their early career. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City graduates carry a median of $7,199 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
University Of Kansas landed the #20 spot for education this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 446 education degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $46,334. Typical student debt for the program is $24,246.
See the full education program report for University Of Kansas
The College Of Saint Scholastica ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Set in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The College Of Saint Scholastica graduates 70% of students within six years. About 168 education degrees were awarded at The College Of Saint Scholastica in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from The College Of Saint Scholastica generally make around $56,259. Typical student debt for the program is $22,495.
Read more about the education program at The College Of Saint Scholastica
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #22 position for education this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 145 education students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $47,637. Students borrow a median of $25,485 to complete this degree.
Get the full education details for North Dakota State University Main Campus
Kansas State University landed the #23 spot for education this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 712 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $46,993. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $23,075 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from Kansas State University
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #24 position for education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Saint Paul graduates 45% of students within six years. About 576 education degrees were awarded at Concordia University Saint Paul in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $48,089. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in education from Concordia University Saint Paul
Bethel University Minnesota placed #25 among the best education schools. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 169 education students who graduated with this degree at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Bethel University Minnesota earn around $54,949 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,698.
More information about a degree in education from Bethel University Minnesota
Rest of the Top 50 Education Schools
These schools also placed among the best for education this year:
Honorable Mentions
Also worth considering for education:
- #51 — Saint Louis University Main Campus · Saint Louis, MO
- #52 — Chadron State College · Chadron, NE
- #53 — Minnesota State University Moorhead · Moorhead, MN
- #54 — Doane College Crete · Crete, NE
- #55 — Des Moines Area Community College · Ankeny, IA
- #56 — Ottawa University Online · Overland Park, KS
- #57 — University Of South Dakota · Vermillion, SD
- #58 — Cornell College · Mount Vernon, IA
- #59 — Luther College · Decorah, IA
- #60 — Normandale Community College · Bloomington, MN
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 183 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
