2027 Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois
Elementary Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best elementary education schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Elementary Education in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall elementary education education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Elementary Education
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, our #1 school for elementary education. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
Get the full elementary education details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 93 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $65,587 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for University Of Illinois At Chicago
Illinois State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #3. 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. About 278 elementary education degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $44,898. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Illinois State University
Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #4. 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. About 26 elementary education degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $61,945. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full elementary education program report for Loyola University Chicago
Northern Illinois 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 suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 101 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $44,214 early in their careers. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for Northern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 54 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $51,301 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $15,612 in student loans.
Get the full elementary education details for Northeastern Illinois University
Lewis University placed #7 among the best elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data 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.
Get the full elementary education details for Lewis University
Depaul University earned the #8 position for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 elementary education degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent 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.
Read more about the elementary education program at Depaul University
Aurora University placed #9 among the best elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 58 elementary education degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $54,551 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,197.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Aurora University
Concordia University Chicago landed the #10 spot for elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. About 20 elementary education degrees were awarded at Concordia University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,004. Concordia University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
Read more about the elementary education program at Concordia University Chicago
Wheaton College Illinois placed #11 among the best elementary education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 19 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $47,714 in the first couple years of their career. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Read more about the elementary education program at Wheaton College Illinois
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #12 spot for elementary education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 25 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Illinois At Springfield earn around $44,458 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans.
Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Illinois At Springfield
Roosevelt University earned the #13 position for elementary education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Roosevelt University awarded about 30 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Roosevelt University earn around $56,418 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Roosevelt University
Eastern Illinois University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 51 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $41,582 in their early career. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $22,075 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Eastern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #15 for elementary education this year. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 39 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $39,496 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $21,944 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University Of St Francis landed the #16 spot for elementary education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Joliet. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Francis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $43,864 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,878.
See the full elementary education program report for University Of St Francis
North Park University placed #17 among the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. North Park University awarded about 15 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from North Park University earn around $46,168 in the first couple years of their career. North Park University graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans.
Read more about the elementary education program at North Park University
Mckendree University placed #18 among the best elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 34 elementary education degrees were awarded at Mckendree University in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $43,707 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Mckendree University
Bradley University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 25 elementary education degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Bradley University earn around $43,359 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Bradley University
Western Illinois University came in at #20 for elementary education this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 90 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Western Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Western Illinois University earn around $47,352 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,133.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Western Illinois University
North Central College placed #21 among the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 14 elementary education degrees were awarded at North Central College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $47,668. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full elementary education program report for North Central College
Dominican University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Dominican University graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Dominican University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Dominican University earn around $45,924 in the first couple years of their career. Dominican University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full elementary education details for Dominican University
Governors State University earned the #23 position for elementary education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of University Park. Governors State University graduates 21% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Governors State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Governors State University earn around $45,235 in the first couple years of their career. Governors State University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Governors State University
Augustana College Illinois landed the #24 spot for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Augustana College Illinois graduates 73% of students within six years. Augustana College Illinois awarded about 10 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $45,517 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for Augustana College Illinois
Saint Xavier University came in at #25 for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Saint Xavier University awarded about 36 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Saint Xavier University earn around $49,526 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $29,854 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Saint Xavier University
Rest of the Top 35 Elementary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary education ranking:
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 35 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.