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

17 Colleges in the United States
657 Elementary Education Degrees Awarded
$44,547 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools to find the best for elementary education students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Elementary Education in Michigan

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

Top Schools in Elementary Education

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in elementary education. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $45,522 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,335. Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

2
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Holland. Hope College graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Hope College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Hope College earn around $45,046 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full elementary education details for Hope College

3
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

A rank of #3 makes Calvin College one of the top schools for elementary education. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 31 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Calvin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $45,751 in their early career. Calvin College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for Calvin College

4
Lake Superior State University crest
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Lake Superior State University awarded about 12 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $47,910 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,429 to complete this degree. Read more about the elementary education program at Lake Superior State University

5
Madonna University crest
Madonna University
Livonia, MI

Madonna University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #5. Set in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Madonna University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 12 elementary education degrees were awarded at Madonna University in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $56,984 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,896 to complete this degree. See the full elementary education program report for Madonna University

6
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University placed #6 among the best elementary education schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Ferris State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $42,608 in their early career. Ferris State University graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at Ferris State University

7

Wayne State University earned the #7 position for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Wayne State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 68 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $52,586 early in their careers. Wayne State University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for Wayne State University

8
Aquinas College Michigan crest
Aquinas College Michigan
Grand Rapids, MI

Aquinas College Michigan came in at #8 for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit university. About 65% of students finish within six years. Aquinas College Michigan awarded about 23 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Aquinas College Michigan earn around $45,713 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary education from Aquinas College Michigan

9

Washtenaw Community College came in at #9 for elementary education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. There were roughly 17 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Washtenaw Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Washtenaw Community College earn around $45,332 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,607 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for Washtenaw Community College

10
Cornerstone University crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University came in at #10 for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. Cornerstone University awarded about 22 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $45,753 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary education from Cornerstone University

11
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 202 elementary education degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $46,344. Oakland University graduates carry a median of $29,019 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for Oakland University

12

Western Michigan University landed the #12 spot for elementary education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Kalamazoo. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 48 elementary education degrees were awarded at Western Michigan University in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $45,346 early in their careers. Western Michigan University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Western Michigan University

13

Eastern Michigan University placed #13 among the best elementary education schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Eastern Michigan University earn around $45,174 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $38,634. More information about a degree in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University

14

Northern Michigan University landed the #14 spot for elementary education this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 31 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $39,963 in their early career. Northern Michigan University graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for Northern Michigan University

15

Southwestern Michigan College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Southwestern Michigan College awarded about 12 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southwestern Michigan College generally make around $43,153. Typical student debt for the program is $16,575. Read more about the elementary education program at Southwestern Michigan College

16
Alma College crest
Alma College
Alma, MI

Alma College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Alma College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alma. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Alma College in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Alma College earn a median of $45,983 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,062. More information about a degree in elementary education from Alma College

17

Henry Ford Community College placed #17 among the best elementary education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Dearborn. There were roughly 29 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Henry Ford Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $17,481. Typical student debt for the program is $17,365. Read more about the elementary education program at Henry Ford Community College

18

University Of Michigan Flint earned the #18 position for elementary education this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. University Of Michigan Flint awarded about 32 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Michigan Flint earn around $45,200 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,810. Get the full elementary education details for University Of Michigan Flint

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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