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2024 Best Elementary Education Schools

698 Colleges in the United States
43,003 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. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 43,003 degrees in elementary education during the 2020-2021 academic year.

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

It is hard to beat University of Georgia if you want 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 4 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent year we have data available.

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

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
34th Most Popular In NY

It's hard to beat Teachers College at Columbia University if you wish to pursue a degree in elementary education. Located in the 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 approximately 20 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
58 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

University of Maryland - College Park is a wonderful choice for students pursuing 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 schools nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.

There were about 58 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
68 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

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

There were approximately 68 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
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In PA
45.0% Growth in Graduates

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

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

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

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

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

There were roughly 133 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
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In TN

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 schools nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were roughly 17 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
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
27th Most Popular In NY
32 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 schools nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 32 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available.

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

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

IU Bloomington is a very large public university located in the 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 about 92 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent data year.

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

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

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

There were approximately 86 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
83 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a fairly 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 about 83 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year.

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

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

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

There were approximately 304 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

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

There were approximately 25 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at WWU in the most recent data year.

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

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

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

There were roughly 385 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
145 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 about 145 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
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MD
76 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

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

There were approximately 76 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
31 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

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 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were approximately 31 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
83 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 83 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
237 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

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

There were approximately 237 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Wazzu in the most recent data year.

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
57 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the 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 schools nationwide means SCU is a great university overall.

There were about 57 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
87 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

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

There were roughly 87 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
129 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

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

There were about 129 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at BYU in the most recent data year.

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
351 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

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

There were approximately 351 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at NAU in the most recent data year.

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
93 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 colleges for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.

There were approximately 93 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
195 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

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

There were about 195 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
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

33
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

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 shows the remainder of the schools 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.

Rank College Location
50 Whitworth University Spokane, WA
51 Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY
52 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL
53 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
54 DePaul University Chicago, IL
55 Baylor University Waco, TX
56 Bradley University Peoria, IL
57 Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA
57 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
58 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
59 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS
60 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
61 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
62 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
63 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
64 Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
65 Auburn University Auburn, AL
66 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI
67 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
68 National Louis University Chicago, IL
69 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK
70 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
71 University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD
72 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
73 Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UT
74 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
74 Samford University Birmingham, AL
75 University of West Alabama Livingston, AL
76 Marquette University Milwaukee, WI
77 Augustana University Sioux Falls, SD
78 Saint Mary’s College of California Moraga, CA
79 University of Rochester Rochester, NY
80 Martin Luther College New Ulm, MN
81 Saint Martin’s University Lacey, WA
82 Fresno Pacific University Fresno, CA
83 Brandman University Irvine, CA
84 Mercer University Macon, GA
85 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
86 Fordham University Bronx, NY
87 Bank Street College of Education New York, NY
88 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
89 Salisbury University Salisbury, MD
90 George Washington University Washington, DC
91 Winona State University Winona, MN
92 Dordt University Sioux Center, IA
93 William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
94 Drake University Des Moines, IA
95 Wichita State University Wichita, KS
96 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
97 University of St Thomas Minnesota Saint Paul, MN
98 Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA
99 Boston University Boston, MA
100 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
101 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
102 Concordia University, Chicago River Forest, IL
103 University of Wyoming Laramie, WY
104 American University Washington, DC

Additional Noteworthy Schools

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

Rank College Location
105 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
106 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
107 Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA
108 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
109 Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DE
110 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH
111 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
112 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
113 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV
114 Heritage University Toppenish, WA
115 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
116 Harding University Searcy, AR
117 Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA
118 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
119 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
120 Viterbo University La Crosse, WI
121 Aurora University Aurora, IL
122 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
123 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
124 National University San Diego, CA
125 Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
126 Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI
127 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
128 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ
129 Trinity University San Antonio, TX
130 Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
130 Concordia University, Nebraska Seward, NE
131 Worcester State University Worcester, MA
132 Valley City State University Valley City, ND
133 Carroll University Waukesha, WI
134 Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL
135 Northwestern College Orange City, IA
136 Queens College Queens, NY
137 Creighton University Omaha, NE
138 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
139 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, 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 Major Annual Graduates
Early Childhood Education 32,920
Secondary Education 10,547
Teacher Education 9,949
Teacher Development & Methodology 6,165
Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching 3,517
Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching 2,450
Adult & Continuing Education 1,074
Montessori Teacher Education 252
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational Methods 140
College/Postsecondary/University Teaching 105

View All Elementary Teaching Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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