2027 Best Elementary Education Schools in Missouri
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.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best elementary education schools.
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Best Schools for Elementary Education in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall elementary education education in Missouri.
Top Schools in Elementary Education
Leading the list is University Of Missouri Columbia, our #1 school for elementary education. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 106 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $37,302. Typical student debt for the program is $20,867.
See the full elementary education program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Central Missouri is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #2. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. University Of Central Missouri graduates 54% of students within six years. About 142 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Central Missouri earn around $38,947 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,199.
See the full elementary education program report for University Of Central Missouri
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $39,942 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for University Of Missouri Kansas City
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 143 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $42,019 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,375.
Get the full elementary education details for University Of Missouri St Louis
A rank of #5 makes Southeast Missouri State University one of the top schools for elementary education. This large public university is located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 65 elementary education degrees were awarded at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Southeast Missouri State University earn around $37,061 in the first couple years of their career. Southeast Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $22,995 in student loans.
Read more about the elementary education program at Southeast Missouri State University
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 156 elementary education degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $37,907 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Missouri State University Springfield
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #7 position for elementary education this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwest Missouri State University awarded about 57 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $37,066 in their early career. Northwest Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the elementary education program at Northwest Missouri State University
Truman State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Kirksville. Truman State University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 13 elementary education degrees were awarded at Truman State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $41,455 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Truman State University
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #9 for elementary education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Fayette. There were roughly 119 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $32,393 early in their careers. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies graduates carry a median of $20,431 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
Missouri Southern State University came in at #10 for elementary education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Joplin. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. About 63 elementary education degrees were awarded at Missouri Southern State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $36,345. Typical student debt for the program is $21,850.
See the full elementary education program report for Missouri Southern State University
Park University placed #11 among the best elementary education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Parkville. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 elementary education degrees were awarded at Park University in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Park University earn a median of $36,667 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,732 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for Park University
Southwest Baptist University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bolivar. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southwest Baptist University awarded about 24 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southwest Baptist University generally make around $27,348. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Southwest Baptist University
Missouri Western State University came in at #13 for elementary education this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Missouri Western State University awarded about 17 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $33,695. Missouri Western State University graduates carry a median of $21,352 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for Missouri Western State University
Evangel University came in at #14 for elementary education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 11 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Evangel University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $36,005. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Evangel University
Drury University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best elementary education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Drury University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Drury University generally make around $31,726. Typical student debt for the program is $26,262.
Read more about the elementary education program at Drury University
Culver Stockton College earned the #16 position for elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Canton, Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. About 21 elementary education degrees were awarded at Culver Stockton College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Culver Stockton College generally make around $36,666. Culver Stockton College graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Culver Stockton College
Missouri Baptist University came in at #17 for elementary education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Missouri Baptist University awarded about 13 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $38,068 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for Missouri Baptist University
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies placed #18 among the best elementary education schools. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies graduates 21% of students within six years. About 19 elementary education degrees were awarded at Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies generally make around $31,726. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies graduates carry a median of $26,262 in student loans.
Get the full elementary education details for Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies
Lincoln University Missouri placed #19 among the best elementary education schools. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. About 20% of students finish within six years. About 14 elementary education degrees were awarded at Lincoln University Missouri in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $33,262 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,259.
See the full elementary education program report for Lincoln University Missouri
More Elementary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 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.