2027 Best Elementary Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Elementary Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their elementary education programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 117 schools to find the best for elementary education students.
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Best Schools for Elementary Education in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall elementary education education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Elementary Education
No school ranked higher than University Of Wisconsin Madison this year for elementary education. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 107 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $45,906. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
Get the full elementary education details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 84 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $50,601 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 105 elementary education degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $45,459 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,646.
Read more about the elementary education program at Purdue University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 20 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $45,522 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $16,335 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 93 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $65,587. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree.
Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Illinois At Chicago
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 110 elementary education degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $49,947 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,741.
Get the full elementary education details for Indiana University Bloomington
Illinois State University earned the #7 position for elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 278 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Illinois State University earn around $44,898 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Illinois State University
Loyola University Chicago ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 26 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $61,945 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Read more about the elementary education program at Loyola University Chicago
Butler University landed the #9 spot for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Butler University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $50,707 in their early career. Butler University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Northern Illinois University placed #10 among the best elementary education schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 101 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $44,214 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Northern Illinois University
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for elementary education this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 24 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $36,483. Students borrow a median of $25,432 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #12 among the best elementary education schools. This large public university is located in the city of La Crosse. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 100 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $51,489 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $22,785 in student loans.
Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
Northeastern Illinois University placed #13 among the best elementary education schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. There were roughly 54 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $51,301. Students borrow a median of $15,612 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Northeastern Illinois University
Franklin University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbus. About 3% of students finish within six years. About 21 elementary education degrees were awarded at Franklin University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Franklin University earn around $57,471 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,890.
See the full elementary education program report for Franklin University
Marquette University placed #15 among the best elementary education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Marquette University awarded about 14 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $45,806 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
See the full elementary education program report for Marquette University
Trine University came in at #16 for elementary education this year. Located in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Trine University awarded about 29 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Trine University earn around $54,881 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,765 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Trine University
Ball State University earned the #17 position for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ball State University awarded about 159 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $48,051. Typical student debt for the program is $24,655.
See the full elementary education program report for Ball State University
Lewis University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 40 elementary education degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Lewis University earn around $46,503 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the elementary education program at Lewis University
Calvin College came in at #19 for elementary education this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Calvin College in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $45,751 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Calvin College
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #20 spot for elementary education this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 97 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn around $48,443 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Hope College landed the #21 spot for elementary education this year. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Hope College awarded about 32 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $45,046 in their early career. Hope College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University Of Evansville earned the #22 position for elementary education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evansville. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 16 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Evansville in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Evansville generally make around $59,618. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree.
Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Evansville
Depaul University landed the #23 spot for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Depaul University awarded about 45 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $49,111. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Depaul University
Aurora University earned the #24 position for elementary education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aurora. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 58 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $54,551. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $24,197 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Aurora University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #25 among the best elementary education schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 65 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $34,737 early in their careers. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,313 in student loans.
Get the full elementary education details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Elementary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary education ranking:
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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 · 117 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.