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2024 Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region

127 Colleges in the Plains States Region
32,968 Education Degrees Awarded
$43,320 Avg Early-Career Salary
A degree in education is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #4 out of 38 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 127 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for education students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 32,968 degrees in education during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Education School

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

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Education Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Education
Master's Degrees in Education
Doctor's Degrees in Education

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region list to help you make the college decision. 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 Education in the Plains States Region

The schools below may not offer all types of education 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.

20 Top Plains States Region Schools in Education

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
51 Education Degrees Awarded
5.9% Growth in Graduates

A T Still University of Health Sciences is a good option for students interested in a degree in education. A T Still University of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university located in the town of Kirksville.

There were approximately 51 education students who graduated with this degree at A T Still University of Health Sciences in the most recent data year. Education degree recipients from A T Still University of Health Sciences receive an earnings boost of approximately $40,103 over the typical income of education graduates.

More information about a degree in education from A T Still University of Health Sciences

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
975 Education Degrees Awarded
$47,227 Median Starting Salary

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in education. UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Minneapolis. A Best Colleges rank of #51 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were approximately 975 education students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available. Those education students who get their degree from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities earn $3,907 more than the standard education student.

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

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
674 Education Degrees Awarded
$44,167 Median Starting Salary

University of Northern Iowa is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in education. UNI is a medium-sized public university located in the small city of Cedar Falls. A Best Colleges rank of #199 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UNI is a great university overall.

There were approximately 674 education students who graduated with this degree at UNI in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program report average early career earnings of $44,167.

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

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
447 Education Degrees Awarded
7.2% Growth in Graduates

It's difficult to beat Iowa State University if you want to pursue a degree in education. Iowa State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Ames. A Best Colleges rank of #75 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Iowa State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 447 education students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent data year. After graduating, education degree recipients usually make around $42,166 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in education from Iowa State University

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
547 Education Degrees Awarded
$47,800 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Lincoln, UNL is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #138 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UNL is a great university overall.

There were about 547 education students who graduated with this degree at UNL in the most recent data year. Those education students who get their degree from University of Nebraska - Lincoln make $4,480 more than the average education student.

More information about a degree in education from University of Nebraska - Lincoln

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
170 Education Degrees Awarded
$37,772 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Duluth, UMN Duluth is a public university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 9th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were approximately 170 education students who graduated with this degree at UMN Duluth in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, education degree recipients typically make an average of $37,772 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in education from University of Minnesota - Duluth

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
243 Education Degrees Awarded
$49,576 Median Starting Salary

UST MN is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Saint Paul. A Best Colleges rank of #143 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UST MN is a great university overall.

There were about 243.00000000000003 education students who graduated with this degree at UST MN in the most recent data year. Those education students who get their degree from University of St Thomas Minnesota earn $6,257 more than the average education grad.

More information about a degree in education from University of St Thomas Minnesota

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
714 Education Degrees Awarded
$47,167 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Columbia, Mizzou is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #124 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Mizzou is a great university overall.

There were about 714 education students who graduated with this degree at Mizzou in the most recent data year. Those education students who get their degree from University of Missouri - Columbia receive $3,847 more than the average education graduate.

More information about a degree in education from University of Missouri - Columbia

9
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
395 Education Degrees Awarded
$44,360 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #84 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.

There were roughly 395 education students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the education program make an average of $44,360 for their early career.

More information about a degree in education from University of Iowa

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
257 Education Degrees Awarded
$59,459 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Omaha, Creighton is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #105 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Creighton is a great university overall.

There were approximately 257 education students who graduated with this degree at Creighton in the most recent data year. Those education students who get their degree from Creighton University receive $16,139 more than the average education grad.

More information about a degree in education from Creighton University

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
208 Education Degrees Awarded
17.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 12 schools for overall quality in the state of North Dakota.

There were roughly 208 education students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the education program at North Dakota State University - Main Campus earn $2,933 more than the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in education from North Dakota State University - Main Campus

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
849 Education Degrees Awarded
13.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Manhattan, K -State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 47 colleges for overall quality in the state of Kansas.

There were roughly 849 education students who graduated with this degree at K -State in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, education degree recipients generally make about $43,777 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in education from Kansas State University

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
302 Education Degrees Awarded
$39,558 Median Starting Salary

Located in the distant town of Winona, Winona State is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 17th out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were roughly 302 education students who graduated with this degree at Winona State in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, education degree recipients usually earn around $39,558 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in education from Winona State University

14
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
382 Education Degrees Awarded
$53,609 Median Starting Salary

Hamline is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Saint Paul. This university ranks 14th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were roughly 382 education students who graduated with this degree at Hamline in the most recent year we have data available. Those education students who get their degree from Hamline University make $10,290 more than the average education graduate.

More information about a degree in education from Hamline University

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
400 Education Degrees Awarded
$43,675 Median Starting Salary

UND is a fairly large public university located in the city of Grand Forks. A Best Colleges rank of #218 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UND is a great university overall.

There were about 400.00000000000006 education students who graduated with this degree at UND in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program state that they receive average early career wages of $43,675.

More information about a degree in education from University of North Dakota

16
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

Located in the distant town of Northfield, St. Olaf is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #190 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means St. Olaf is a great college overall.

There were approximately 24 education students who graduated with this degree at St. Olaf in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, education degree recipients generally make around $40,461 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in education from St Olaf College

17
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1,924 Education Degrees Awarded
$54,883 Median Starting Salary

Walden University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the large city of Minneapolis.

There were about 1924 education students who graduated with this degree at Walden University in the most recent data year. Education degree recipients from Walden University earn a boost of about $11,563 above the average income of education majors.

More information about a degree in education from Walden University

17
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
160 Education Degrees Awarded
$36,047 Median Starting Salary

MLC is a small private not-for-profit college located in the town of New Ulm.

There were roughly 160 education students who graduated with this degree at MLC in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, education degree recipients generally make about $36,047 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in education from Martin Luther College

18
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$39,444 Median Starting Salary
$27,000 Median Student Debt

Gustavus Adolphus is a small private not-for-profit college located in the town of Saint Peter. This college ranks 29th out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were about 23 education students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program report average early career income of $39,444.

More information about a degree in education from Gustavus Adolphus College

19
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
528 Education Degrees Awarded
$46,104 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Lawrence, KU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #141 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means KU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 528 education students who graduated with this degree at KU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the education major at University of Kansas earn $2,784 more than the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in education from University of Kansas

Rest of the Top Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region


 

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
20 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
21 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
22 Valley City State University Valley City, ND
23 Drake University Des Moines, IA
24 Augustana University Sioux Falls, SD
25 University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD

Best Education Colleges by State

Explore the best education schools for a specific state in the Plains States Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Kansas 38 4,511
Minnesota 38 8,358
Iowa 38 3,326
South Dakota 38 1,043
Missouri 38 7,228
Nebraska 36 3,897
North Dakota 35 1,234

View All Rankings >

Education Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 10,661
Educational Administration 4,912
Teacher Education Subject Specific 4,892
General Education 3,291
Special Education 2,681
Curriculum & Instruction 2,606
Student Counseling 1,806
Instructional Media Design 650
Other Education 585
Teaching English or French 577

View All Education Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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