Elementary Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their elementary education programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 115 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for elementary education students pursuing a degree.
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Arizona State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in elementary education. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 349 elementary education degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $49,402 early in their careers. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for Arizona State University
A rank of #2 makes Baylor University one of the top schools for elementary education. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 60 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $53,614 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Baylor University
University Of Arizona is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Arizona awarded about 120 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Arizona earn around $41,490 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,687 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of Arizona
Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at Midwestern State University, which ranked #4. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Wichita Falls. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 31 elementary education degrees were awarded at Midwestern State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Midwestern State University earn around $49,638 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Midwestern State University
Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $46,244 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,626.
Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Tarleton State University landed the #6 spot for elementary education this year. This large public university is located in the town of Stephenville. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 99 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Tarleton State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Tarleton State University earn around $53,121 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Tarleton State University
Northern Arizona University came in at #7 for elementary education this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 315 elementary education degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Northern Arizona University earn around $47,551 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,600 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Northern Arizona University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for elementary education this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 100 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $43,892 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,585 to complete this degree.
Read more about the elementary education program at Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Yavapai College came in at #9 for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 17 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Yavapai College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $52,087 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for Yavapai College
Estrella Mountain Community College came in at #10 for elementary education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Avondale. Estrella Mountain Community College awarded about 36 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Estrella Mountain Community College earn around $78,359 in the first couple years of their career. Estrella Mountain Community College graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for Estrella Mountain Community College
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 35 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Chandler Gilbert Community College earn around $46,943 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Chandler Gilbert Community College
Cochise College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. Cochise College awarded about 28 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Cochise College
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #13 position for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 35 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma City Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. Oklahoma City Community College graduates carry a median of $8,999 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for Oklahoma City Community College
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #14 position for elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. There were roughly 33 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Glendale Community College Glendale Az in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $51,483 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete this degree.
Read more about the elementary education program at Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Central New Mexico Community College placed #15 among the best elementary education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Albuquerque. There were roughly 27 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Central New Mexico Community College earn around $29,708 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,625 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for Central New Mexico Community College
Dallas Baptist University earned the #16 position for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 29 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Dallas Baptist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $54,594. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Dallas Baptist University
Western New Mexico University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Silver City. About 26% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Western New Mexico University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. Typical student debt for the program is $27,425.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Western New Mexico University
Texas A And M International University placed #18 among the best elementary education schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M International University awarded about 155 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $42,029 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Texas A And M International University
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. There were roughly 70 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Arizona State University Skysong earn around $55,793 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,742.
See the full elementary education program report for Arizona State University Skysong
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 73 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn around $36,217 in the first couple years of their career. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans.
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Texas State University San Marcos placed #21 among the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 elementary education degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $53,272 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,659.
Read more about the elementary education program at Texas State University San Marcos
Arizona Western College came in at #22 for elementary education this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. About 23 elementary education degrees were awarded at Arizona Western College in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
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New Mexico Highlands University landed the #23 spot for elementary education this year. New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Las Vegas. About 27% of students finish within six years. New Mexico Highlands University awarded about 43 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $41,352 in their early career. New Mexico Highlands University graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for New Mexico Highlands University
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor came in at #24 for elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Hardin Baylor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn around $50,657 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of Mary Hardin Baylor
Mesa Community College earned the #25 position for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Mesa Community College awarded about 31 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Mesa Community College earn around $54,730 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for Mesa Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Elementary Education Schools
These schools also placed among the best for elementary education this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 115 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).