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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois

29 Colleges in the United States
1,541 Elementary Education Degrees Awarded
$46,709 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

College Factual analyzed 49 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best elementary education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Elementary Education in Illinois

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

Top Schools in Elementary Education

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in elementary education. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 96 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $50,601 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 103 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $65,587 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750. See the full elementary education program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

3

Illinois State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 320 elementary education degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $44,898 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. See the full elementary education program report for Illinois State University

4

A rank of #4 makes Loyola University Chicago one of the top schools for elementary education. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 18 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $61,945 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for Loyola University Chicago

5

A rank of #5 makes Northeastern Illinois University one of the top schools for elementary education. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. About 39 elementary education degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $51,301 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,612. Read more about the elementary education program at Northeastern Illinois University

6

Northern Illinois University came in at #6 for elementary education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 77 elementary education degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $44,214 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. See the full elementary education program report for Northern Illinois University

7

Concordia University Chicago came in at #7 for elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Chicago graduates 36% of students within six years. Concordia University Chicago awarded about 19 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,004. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the elementary education program at Concordia University Chicago

8

Eastern Illinois University earned the #8 position for elementary education this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. There were roughly 51 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $41,582. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $22,075 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at Eastern Illinois University

9
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #9 spot for elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Aurora University awarded about 52 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Aurora University earn around $54,551 in the first couple years of their career. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $24,197 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Aurora University

10
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #10 position for elementary education this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. Depaul University awarded about 48 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $49,111 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full elementary education program report for Depaul University

11

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #11 for elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 15 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $47,714. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full elementary education program report for Wheaton College Illinois

12

University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #12 position for elementary education this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates 52% of students within six years. About 30 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Illinois At Springfield earn around $44,458 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,925. See the full elementary education program report for University Of Illinois At Springfield

13

Roosevelt University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 elementary education degrees were awarded at Roosevelt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $56,418. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full elementary education program report for Roosevelt University

14

University Of St Francis ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Joliet. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 19 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of St Francis in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $43,864 in their early career. University Of St Francis graduates carry a median of $23,878 in student loans. See the full elementary education program report for University Of St Francis

15
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College earned the #15 position for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. North Central College graduates 64% of students within six years. About 29 elementary education degrees were awarded at North Central College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $47,668. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full elementary education program report for North Central College

16
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL

Illinois College came in at #16 for elementary education this year. Located in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit university. Illinois College graduates 64% of students within six years. Illinois College awarded about 11 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Illinois College generally make around $41,184. Students borrow a median of $26,922 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for Illinois College

17
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University came in at #17 for elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Dominican University graduates 55% of students within six years. About 32 elementary education degrees were awarded at Dominican University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Dominican University earn around $45,924 in the first couple years of their career. Dominican University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at Dominican University

18

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #18 position for elementary education this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 35 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $39,496 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $21,944 in student loans. See the full elementary education program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

19
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 27 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $46,503 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full elementary education details for Lewis University

20

Western Illinois University placed #20 among the best elementary education schools. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Western Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $47,352 in their early career. Western Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,133 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Western Illinois University

21

Bradley University came in at #21 for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Bradley University earn around $43,359 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full elementary education program report for Bradley University

22

Augustana College Illinois placed #22 among the best elementary education schools. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Augustana College Illinois graduates 73% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Augustana College Illinois in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Augustana College Illinois earn around $45,517 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the elementary education program at Augustana College Illinois

23

Saint Xavier University came in at #23 for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Saint Xavier University graduates 57% of students within six years. Saint Xavier University awarded about 36 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $49,526 early in their careers. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $29,854 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Saint Xavier University

24

National Louis University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. There were roughly 151 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at National Louis University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $47,995 early in their careers. National Louis University graduates carry a median of $42,172 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from National Louis University

25
Trinity Christian College crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College earned the #25 position for elementary education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Palos Heights. Trinity Christian College graduates 58% of students within six years. Trinity Christian College awarded about 12 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Trinity Christian College generally make around $45,968. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full elementary education program report for Trinity Christian College

Rest of the Top 34 Elementary Education Schools

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

26
27
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
28
29
30
Greenville College crest
Greenville College
Greenville, IL
31
Knox College crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
32
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL
33
34

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 49 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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