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2027 Best Elementary Education Schools in the Southeast Region

197 Colleges in the United States
11,141 Elementary Education Degrees Awarded
$44,975 Avg Early-Career Salary

Elementary Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 197 schools to find the best for elementary education students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Elementary Education in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall elementary education education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Elementary Education

1

Our analysis ranked Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University the best school in the country for a degree in elementary education. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 23 elementary education degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $60,004 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete this degree. See the full elementary education program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

2

University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 22 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $54,106. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree. See the full elementary education program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

3
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 163 elementary education degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $52,997 early in their careers. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at James Madison University

4

College Of William And Mary came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. About 15 elementary education degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $53,338 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,935. See the full elementary education program report for College Of William And Mary

5
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 11 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $50,383 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. Get the full elementary education details for Vanderbilt University

6
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami placed #6 among the best elementary education schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $57,234. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Miami

7
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University landed the #7 spot for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $67,369 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. Get the full elementary education details for Wake Forest University

8
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #8 spot for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 73 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $45,696 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,349. See the full elementary education program report for Florida State University

9

Elon University landed the #9 spot for elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 elementary education degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Elon University earn a median of $47,095 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. Read more about the elementary education program at Elon University

10

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #10 among the best elementary education schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 94 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,532 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,995. Get the full elementary education details for University Of South Florida Main Campus

11
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida placed #11 among the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 59 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $48,506. Students borrow a median of $18,063 to complete this degree. Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Florida

12
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL

Edison State College landed the #12 spot for elementary education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Fort Myers. About 61 elementary education degrees were awarded at Edison State College in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $51,448 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,750. More information about a degree in elementary education from Edison State College

13

George Mason University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $63,131 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for George Mason University

14

Florida Gulf Coast University placed #14 among the best elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 56 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,951 early in their careers. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates carry a median of $19,489 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Florida Gulf Coast University

15

University Of Central Florida came in at #15 for elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 315 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $50,686. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of Central Florida

16

Florida Atlantic University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Boca Raton. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 100 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $50,178 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,661 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for Florida Atlantic University

17
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University landed the #17 spot for elementary education this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 43 elementary education degrees were awarded at Longwood University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Longwood University earn around $43,800 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,649. More information about a degree in elementary education from Longwood University

18

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #18 for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn around $48,142 in the first couple years of their career. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

19

Florida International University came in at #19 for elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 49 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Florida International University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $48,461 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,490. See the full elementary education program report for Florida International University

20

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #20 among the best elementary education schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 72 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $44,877 in their early career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

21
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of High Point. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. High Point University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for High Point University

22

Indian River State College came in at #22 for elementary education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. There were roughly 30 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Indian River State College in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $48,612 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. Read more about the elementary education program at Indian River State College

23

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earned the #23 position for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $50,736 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,824. Read more about the elementary education program at Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University

24
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University earned the #24 position for elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. There were roughly 115 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,783 to complete this degree. Read more about the elementary education program at Clemson University

25

Appalachian State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. About 74% of students finish within six years. Appalachian State University awarded about 149 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $41,144 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary education from Appalachian State University

Rest of the Top 50 Elementary Education Schools

These schools also placed among the best for elementary education this year:

26
27
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
28
29
30
Polk State College crest
Polk State College
Winter Haven, FL
31
32
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL
33
34
35
36
37
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
38
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA
39
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA
40
41
42
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
43
44
45
Saint Leo University crest
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL
46
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL
47
Shepherd University crest
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV
48
49
50

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for elementary education:

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 · 197 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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