2026 Best Elementary Education Schools in Washington
Elementary Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best elementary education schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Elementary Education in Washington
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the elementary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Elementary Education
Our analysis ranked Washington State University the best school in the country for a degree in elementary education. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington State University awarded about 209 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Washington State University earn around $54,794 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for Washington State University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 78 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $53,957. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,342 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Central Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #3. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 161 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Central Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $48,850. Central Washington University graduates carry a median of $20,353 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for Central Washington University
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #4. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 16 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn around $72,769 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,151 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Western Washington University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #5 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $58,418 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Western Washington University
Pacific Lutheran University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pacific Lutheran University awarded about 22 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $66,226 early in their careers. Pacific Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for Pacific Lutheran University
Whitworth University earned the #7 position for elementary education this year. Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 54 elementary education degrees were awarded at Whitworth University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Whitworth University earn around $51,174 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the elementary education program at Whitworth University
Eastern Washington University placed #8 among the best elementary education schools. This large public university is located in the town of Cheney. Eastern Washington University graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $33,028. Eastern Washington University graduates carry a median of $20,885 in student loans.
Read more about the elementary education program at Eastern Washington University
City University Of Seattle earned the #9 position for elementary education this year. City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. There were roughly 20 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at City University Of Seattle in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from City University Of Seattle earn around $59,620 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000.
More information about a degree in elementary education from City University Of Seattle
Saint Martins University earned the #10 position for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 15 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Saint Martins University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Saint Martins University earn a median of $53,633 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,818 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for Saint Martins University
Heritage University earned the #11 position for elementary education this year. Heritage University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Toppenish. Heritage University graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Heritage University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Heritage University generally make around $51,116. Typical student debt for the program is $20,049.
See the full elementary education program report for Heritage University
Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 12 elementary education degrees were awarded at Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs earn a median of $42,846 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs
More Elementary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 24 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.