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

5 Colleges in the United States
194 Elementary Education Degrees Awarded
$43,140 Avg Early-Career Salary

Elementary Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for elementary education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Elementary Education in Montana

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

1

Rocky Mountain College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in elementary education. Set in the city of Billings, Rocky Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 11 elementary education degrees were awarded at Rocky Mountain College in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Rocky Mountain College earn a median of $50,022 early in their careers. Rocky Mountain College graduates carry a median of $25,666 in student loans. See the full elementary education program report for Rocky Mountain College

2

Montana State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #2. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. Montana State University graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Montana State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $37,501. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for Montana State University

3

A rank of #3 makes The University Of Montana one of the top schools for elementary education. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 40 elementary education degrees were awarded at The University Of Montana in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from The University Of Montana earn around $39,078 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Montana graduates carry a median of $24,880 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at The University Of Montana

4

A rank of #4 makes The University Of Montana Western one of the top schools for elementary education. This small public university is located in the town of Dillon. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 53 elementary education degrees were awarded at The University Of Montana Western in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $36,742 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,269. See the full elementary education program report for The University Of Montana Western

5

Montana State University Billings came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. There were roughly 26 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Montana State University Billings in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Montana State University Billings earn around $35,132 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,652. See the full elementary education program report for Montana State University Billings

6

Salish Kootenai College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public institution. About 5% of students finish within six years. Salish Kootenai College awarded about 12 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Salish Kootenai College earn a median of $52,607 early in their careers. Read more about the elementary education program at Salish Kootenai College

7

Montana State University Northern came in at #7 for elementary education this year. Located in the town of Havre, Montana State University Northern is a small public university. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. About 11 elementary education degrees were awarded at Montana State University Northern in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Montana State University Northern earn around $50,896 in the first couple years of their career. Montana State University Northern graduates carry a median of $23,855 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Montana State University Northern

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 15 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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