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2024 Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region

200 Colleges in the Southeast Region
11,435 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.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 200 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 11,435 degrees in elementary education during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Elementary Education School

Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region Your choice of elementary education school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. 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.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Elementary Education Rankings by 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

The elementary teaching school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region. 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 Southeast Region

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 Southeast Region Schools in Elementary Teaching

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
25th Most Popular In GA

Any student pursuing a degree in elementary education has to check out University of Georgia. UGA is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Athens. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were approximately 4 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent data year.

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

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in elementary education. Located in the large city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were about 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

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In FL
319 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

University of Central Florida is a good choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education. Located in the large suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #193 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UCF is a great university overall.

There were roughly 319 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UCF in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from University of Central Florida

4
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In AR
100 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Every student who is interested in elementary education needs to look into University of Arkansas. UARK is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Fayetteville. A Best Colleges rank of #198 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UARK is a great university overall.

There were about 100 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UARK in the most recent year we have data available.

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

5
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In SC
76 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Clemson is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Clemson. A Best Colleges rank of #107 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Clemson is a great university overall.

There were approximately 76 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Clemson in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Clemson University

6
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In NC
165 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Appalachian State is a very large public university located in the town of Boone. This university ranks 9th out of 93 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were about 165 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Appalachian State University

7
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In FL
108 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the large suburb of Miami, FIU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #183 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means FIU is a great university overall.

There were about 108 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at FIU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Florida International University

8
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In FL
118 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

UF is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Gainesville. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were about 118 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent data year.

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

9
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MS
176 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Mississippi State is a very large public university located in the town of Mississippi State. This university ranks 1st out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Mississippi.

There were roughly 176 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Mississippi State University

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In KY
96 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Lexington, UK is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 38 schools for overall quality in the state of Kentucky.

There were roughly 96 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UK in the most recent year we have data available.

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

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In SC
86 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize city of Columbia, UofSC is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #152 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UofSC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 86 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UofSC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from University of South Carolina - Columbia

12
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
13th Most Popular In TN

Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 5th out of 45 colleges for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were roughly 11 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Southern Adventist in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Southern Adventist University

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In AL
123 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

UA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Tuscaloosa. A Best Colleges rank of #139 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 123 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at UA in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from The University of Alabama

14
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In NC
60 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Raleigh, NC State is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #92 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means NC State is a great university overall.

There were about 60 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at NC State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from North Carolina State University

15
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In GA
268 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

KSU Georgia is a very large public university located in the suburb of Kennesaw. This university ranks 15th out of 68 colleges for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were roughly 268 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at KSU Georgia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Kennesaw State University

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In GA
231 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

GaSou is a very large public university located in the town of Statesboro. This university ranks 13th out of 68 colleges for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were about 231 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at GaSou in the most recent year we have data available.

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

17

Located in the small suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.More information about a degree in elementary education from University of Virginia - Main Campus

18
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In FL
142 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were about 142 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from University of South Florida - Main Campus

19
Samford crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
14th Most Popular In AL
64.7% Growth in Graduates

Samford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Birmingham. This university ranks 4th out of 40 colleges for overall quality in the state of Alabama.

There were roughly 17 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Samford in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Samford University

19
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In AL
76 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Auburn, Auburn is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #154 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Auburn is a great university overall.

There were approximately 76 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Auburn in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Auburn University

20
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In FL
71 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Florida State is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee. A Best Colleges rank of #121 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Florida State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 71 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Florida State University

21
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In LA
62 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Louisiana State University is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Baton Rouge. This university ranks 2nd out of 29 schools for overall quality in the state of Louisiana.

There were roughly 62 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

22
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In AL
313 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

University of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public university located in the rural area of Livingston. This university ranks 6th out of 40 schools for overall quality in the state of Alabama.

There were approximately 313 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University of West Alabama in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in elementary education from University of West Alabama

23
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In GA
154 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Mercer is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Macon. This university ranks 4th out of 68 colleges for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were about 154 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Mercer in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from Mercer University

24
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NC
233 Elementary Teaching Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Greenville, ECU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 93 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were roughly 233 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at ECU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in elementary education from East Carolina University

Rest of the Top Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region

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27
28
29
30

Honorable Mentions

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

Rank College Location
31 Harding University Searcy, AR
32 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
33 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
34 College of Charleston Charleston, SC
35 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
36 University of Mississippi University, MS
37 University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LA
38 Lipscomb University Nashville, TN
39 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
40 University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY

Best Elementary Education Colleges by State

Explore the best elementary education schools for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Florida 715 1,704
North Carolina 710 1,325
Georgia 690 1,651
Virginia 630 901
Tennessee 624 456
South Carolina 530 500
Kentucky 518 863
Mississippi 501 1,128
Alabama 500 1,295
Louisiana 489 401
Arkansas 466 551
West Virginia 410 269

View All Rankings >

One of 13 majors within the Teacher Education Grade Specific area of study, Elementary Education has other similar majors worth exploring.

Majors Similar to Elementary Teaching

Related Major Annual Graduates
Early Childhood Education 8,136
Secondary Education 2,452
Teacher Development & Methodology 2,216
Teacher Education 1,960
Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching 1,605
Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching 1,004
Adult & Continuing Education 257
College/Postsecondary/University Teaching 60
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational Methods 20
Montessori Teacher Education 18

View All Elementary Teaching Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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