2027 Best Elementary Education Schools in Iowa
Elementary Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools to find the best for elementary education students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Elementary Education in Iowa
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the elementary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Elementary Education
No school ranked higher than University Of Iowa this year for elementary education. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 128 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $45,015 in their early career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full elementary education details for University Of Iowa
Iowa State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. 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.
Get the full elementary education details for Iowa State University
University Of Northern Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 321 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $48,667. Students borrow a median of $26,059 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for University Of Northern Iowa
Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at Morningside College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $48,478 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full elementary education program report for Morningside College
Drake University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. 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. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $46,479. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the elementary education program at Drake University
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #6 spot for elementary education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ankeny. Des Moines Area Community College awarded about 41 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Des Moines Area Community College earn around $43,121 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,956.
Read more about the elementary education program at Des Moines Area Community College
Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #7 spot for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 12 elementary education degrees were awarded at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for Western Iowa Tech Community College
Northwestern College Iowa came in at #8 for elementary education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Orange City. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Northwestern College Iowa earn around $48,608 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,995.
Get the full elementary education details for Northwestern College Iowa
Luther College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Luther College awarded about 10 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Luther College earn around $45,691 in the first couple years of their career. Luther College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Luther College
Grand View University placed #10 among the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Grand View University awarded about 24 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $46,547. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Grand View University
Iowa Western Community College came in at #11 for elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public university. About 14 elementary education degrees were awarded at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Iowa Western Community College earn around $43,444 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,153.
Get the full elementary education details for Iowa Western Community College
Coe College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Coe College awarded about 14 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Coe College earn a median of $44,511 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Coe College
Southwestern Community College Creston earned the #13 position for elementary education this year. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public institution. Southwestern Community College Creston awarded about 11 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $46,106 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Southwestern Community College Creston
Wartburg College placed #14 among the best elementary education schools. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 elementary education degrees were awarded at Wartburg College in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Wartburg College earn around $44,999 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,757 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for Wartburg College
Central College landed the #15 spot for elementary education this year. Central College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pella. Central College graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Central College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $44,000 in their early career. Central College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for Central College
Iowa Central Community College landed the #16 spot for elementary education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Fort Dodge. There were roughly 12 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. Iowa Central Community College graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans.
Get the full elementary education details for Iowa Central Community College
Indian Hills Community College placed #17 among the best elementary education schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Ottumwa. There were roughly 17 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Indian Hills Community College in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. Indian Hills Community College graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for Indian Hills Community College
Simpson College came in at #18 for elementary education this year. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. Simpson College graduates 63% of students within six years. About 10 elementary education degrees were awarded at Simpson College in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $42,760 in their early career. Simpson College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the elementary education program at Simpson College
Dordt College placed #19 among the best elementary education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Sioux Center. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dordt College awarded about 21 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $39,749 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
Get the full elementary education details for Dordt College
Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #20 position for elementary education this year. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. About 18 elementary education degrees were awarded at Southeastern Community College West Burlington in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $45,760 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,126 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Southeastern Community College West Burlington
Clarke University came in at #21 for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit university. Clarke University graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Clarke University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Clarke University earn around $42,204 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full elementary education details for Clarke University
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #22 among the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. There were roughly 12 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Iowa Community College District in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Eastern Iowa Community College District graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans.
Get the full elementary education details for Eastern Iowa Community College District
Saint Ambrose University placed #23 among the best elementary education schools. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 27 elementary education degrees were awarded at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $41,178 in their early career. Saint Ambrose University graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Saint Ambrose University
Mount Mercy University came in at #24 for elementary education this year. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mount Mercy University awarded about 17 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $43,810. Typical student debt for the program is $30,687.
See the full elementary education program report for Mount Mercy University
Loras College placed #25 among the best elementary education schools. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Loras College in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Loras College earn a median of $40,328 early in their careers. Loras College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Loras College
Rest of the Top 31 Elementary Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong elementary education education:
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 31 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.
