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

8 Colleges in the United States
298 Elementary Education Degrees Awarded
$44,351 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 26 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 Tennessee

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

Top Schools in Elementary Education

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in elementary education. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 12 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $50,383 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. More information about a degree in elementary education from Vanderbilt University

2
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #2 makes Lipscomb University one of the top schools for elementary education. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 elementary education degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $50,950 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,563. See the full elementary education program report for Lipscomb University

3

Tennessee Technological University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #3. This large public university is located in the town of Cookeville. Tennessee Technological University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 101 elementary education degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $39,034 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,566. More information about a degree in elementary education from Tennessee Technological University

4

Middle Tennessee State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #4. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 53 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $42,657 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. See the full elementary education program report for Middle Tennessee State University

5

A rank of #5 makes Freed Hardeman University one of the top schools for elementary education. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Freed Hardeman University earn around $40,936 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for Freed Hardeman University

6
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University came in at #6 for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 22 elementary education degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Belmont University earn around $47,237 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for Belmont University

7
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University landed the #7 spot for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Lee University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Lee University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $46,351. Typical student debt for the program is $23,832. See the full elementary education program report for Lee University

8

Southern Adventist University earned the #8 position for elementary education this year. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Southern Adventist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Southern Adventist University earn around $43,283 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the elementary education program at Southern Adventist University

9

Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Trevecca Nazarene University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 18 elementary education degrees were awarded at Trevecca Nazarene University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Trevecca Nazarene University earn around $47,348 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,962. See the full elementary education program report for Trevecca Nazarene University

10
King College crest
King College
Bristol, TN

King College earned the #10 position for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit university. King College graduates 49% of students within six years. King College awarded about 11 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of King College earn a median of $36,576 early in their careers. King College graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. See the full elementary education program report for King College

11
Johnson University crest
Johnson University
Knoxville, TN

Johnson University placed #11 among the best elementary education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Johnson University awarded about 10 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $43,102 in their early career. Johnson University graduates carry a median of $23,819 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for Johnson University

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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 · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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