College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Elementary Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

107 Colleges in the United States
5,348 Elementary Education Degrees Awarded
$43,083 Avg Early-Career Salary

Elementary Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 107 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for elementary education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Elementary Education in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall elementary education education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Elementary Education

1

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in elementary education. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. About 84 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $36,271 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,598 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2

Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at Creighton University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Creighton University awarded about 20 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $64,369 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary education from Creighton University

3

Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. About 100 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $44,011 early in their careers. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $23,128 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of Nebraska Lincoln

4
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at University Of Iowa, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 128 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $45,015. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Iowa

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for elementary education. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 106 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $37,302 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of Missouri Columbia

6
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #6 among the best elementary education schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 60 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $45,405 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,776 to complete this degree. See the full elementary education program report for University Of Kansas

7

Iowa State University earned the #7 position for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 173 elementary education degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Iowa State University earn around $45,512 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the elementary education program at Iowa State University

8

Kansas State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 244 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Kansas State University earn around $45,512 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,999. See the full elementary education program report for Kansas State University

9

Winona State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 102 elementary education degrees were awarded at Winona State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $42,519. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $26,470 in student loans. See the full elementary education program report for Winona State University

10

Bethel University Minnesota placed #10 among the best elementary education schools. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. About 71% of students finish within six years. Bethel University Minnesota awarded about 27 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $45,361 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the elementary education program at Bethel University Minnesota

11

University Of Northern Iowa placed #11 among the best elementary education schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 321 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $48,667 in their early career. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $26,059 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for University Of Northern Iowa

12

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #12 for elementary education this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 128 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $49,867 in their early career. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $26,603 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at Minnesota State University Mankato

13

Northeast Community College earned the #13 position for elementary education this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. There were roughly 23 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Northeast Community College earn around $24,710 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,799 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary education from Northeast Community College

14

Pittsburg State University placed #14 among the best elementary education schools. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 112 elementary education degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $45,712 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,727. More information about a degree in elementary education from Pittsburg State University

15

Martin Luther College came in at #15 for elementary education this year. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 55 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Martin Luther College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $46,706 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full elementary education program report for Martin Luther College

16

Wayne State College placed #16 among the best elementary education schools. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. About 52% of students finish within six years. About 71 elementary education degrees were awarded at Wayne State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Wayne State College earn around $41,322 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full elementary education details for Wayne State College

17

Valley City State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. Valley City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Valley City. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Valley City State University awarded about 113 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $44,179 in their early career. Valley City State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full elementary education program report for Valley City State University

18

University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #18 among the best elementary education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 28 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $47,728 early in their careers. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota

19

University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #19 spot for elementary education this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 109 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn around $47,123 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

20
Morningside College crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

Morningside College landed the #20 spot for elementary education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux City. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Morningside College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $48,478. Morningside College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Morningside College

21
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University landed the #21 spot for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $46,479 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full elementary education program report for Drake University

22

Des Moines Area Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ankeny. About 41 elementary education degrees were awarded at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary education from Des Moines Area Community College

23

South Dakota State University came in at #23 for elementary education this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 11 elementary education degrees were awarded at South Dakota State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $43,530 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,937. More information about a degree in elementary education from South Dakota State University

24

University Of North Dakota landed the #24 spot for elementary education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Forks. University Of North Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of North Dakota earn around $48,453 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full elementary education details for University Of North Dakota

25

Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #25 position for elementary education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Sioux City. Western Iowa Tech Community College awarded about 12 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. Typical student debt for the program is $11,886. See the full elementary education program report for Western Iowa Tech Community College

Rest of the Top 50 Elementary Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong elementary education education:

26
27
28
29
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND
30
31
32
Luther College crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA
33
34
Grand View University crest
Grand View University
Des Moines, IA
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Coe College crest
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA
43
College Of Saint Benedict crest
College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN
44
45
46
Wartburg College crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA
47
48
49
Central College crest
Central College
Pella, IA
50

View All Elementary Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 107 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options