by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 107 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for elementary education students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 5,428 bachelor's degrees in elementary education to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The elementary teaching bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for elementary education students working on their bachelor's degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
It's hard to beat University of Northern Iowa if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, UNI is a public university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Northern Iowa
It is difficult to beat University of Minnesota - Twin Cities if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
It is difficult to beat Iowa State University if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Iowa State University
It is difficult to beat University of Iowa if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the city of Iowa City.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Iowa
K -State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Manhattan.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Kansas State University
Located in the medium-sized city of Springfield, Missouri State is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Missouri State University - Springfield
UNL is a very large public university located in the large city of Lincoln.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Located in the small city of Grand Forks, UND is a public university with a large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of North Dakota
Mizzou is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Columbia.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Missouri - Columbia
KU is a very large public university located in the small city of Lawrence.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Kansas
Located in the town of Vermillion, USD is a public university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of South Dakota
Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana Sioux Falls is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Augustana University
Located in the town of New Ulm, MLC is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Martin Luther College
Located in the medium-sized city of Des Moines, Drake is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Drake University
Winona State is a moderately-sized public university located in the town of Winona.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Winona State University
Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Dordt University
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Wichita State University | Wichita, KS |
| 18 | University of St Thomas Minnesota | Saint Paul, MN |
| 19 | Minnesota State University - Mankato | Mankato, MN |
| 20 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha, NE |
| 21 | Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud, MN |
| 22 | Valley City State University | Valley City, ND |
| 23 | Concordia University, Nebraska | Seward, NE |
| 23 | Emporia State University | Emporia, KS |
| 24 | Northwestern College | Orange City, IA |
| 25 | Creighton University | Omaha, NE |
Explore the best elementary education colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 475 | 1,137 |
| Minnesota | 446 | 986 |
| Iowa | 403 | 1,175 |
| Kansas | 352 | 982 |
| Nebraska | 331 | 528 |
| North Dakota | 251 | 328 |
| South Dakota | 237 | 253 |
Elementary Education is one of 13 different types of Teacher Education Grade Specific programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | 723 |
| Secondary Education | 675 |
| Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching | 271 |
| Teacher Education | 52 |
| Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching | 21 |
| Teacher Development & Methodology | 10 |
| Montessori Teacher Education | 5 |
