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 186 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for elementary education students pursuing a degree.
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/offers.json"
Our analysis ranked University Of Nebraska Lincoln the best school in the country for a degree in elementary education. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. About 106 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $44,011 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,128 to complete this degree.
Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 72 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $36,271 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,598.
Get the full elementary education details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Iowa State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 157 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Iowa State University earn around $45,512 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Iowa State University
University Of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #4. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 131 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $45,015. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of Iowa
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 106 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $37,302 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete this degree.
Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Kansas earned the #6 position for elementary education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 57 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $45,405. Typical student debt for the program is $24,776.
More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of Kansas
Kansas State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 262 elementary education degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,999.
Get the full elementary education details for Kansas State University
Pittsburg State University earned the #8 position for elementary education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Pittsburg. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pittsburg State University awarded about 133 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Pittsburg State University earn around $45,712 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,727 to complete this degree.
See the full elementary education program report for Pittsburg State University
Wayne State College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Wayne. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $41,322 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for Wayne State College
Winona State University landed the #10 spot for elementary education this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 112 elementary education degrees were awarded at Winona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $42,519 in their early career. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $26,470 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for Winona State University
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 292 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $48,667. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $26,059 in student loans.
Get the full elementary education details for University Of Northern Iowa
Northeast Community College placed #12 among the best elementary education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Norfolk. About 22 elementary education degrees were awarded at Northeast Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $24,710 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,799.
See the full elementary education program report for Northeast Community College
The College Of Saint Scholastica placed #13 among the best elementary education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Duluth. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at The College Of Saint Scholastica in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of The College Of Saint Scholastica earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,495.
See the full elementary education program report for The College Of Saint Scholastica
Drake University came in at #14 for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Drake University earn around $46,479 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full elementary education details for Drake University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 32 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $47,728 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the elementary education program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Chadron State College placed #16 among the best elementary education schools. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. Chadron State College graduates 50% of students within six years. Chadron State College awarded about 49 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $40,320 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,750.
Get the full elementary education details for Chadron State College
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #17 for elementary education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 145 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $49,867 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,603 to complete this degree.
Get the full elementary education details for Minnesota State University Mankato
Washburn University placed #18 among the best elementary education schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 22 elementary education degrees were awarded at Washburn University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $46,519. Washburn University graduates carry a median of $22,945 in student loans.
Get the full elementary education details for Washburn University
Valley City State University placed #19 among the best elementary education schools. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Valley City State University awarded about 92 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Valley City State University earn around $44,179 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in elementary education from Valley City State University
Morningside College placed #20 among the best elementary education schools. Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Morningside College awarded about 62 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $48,478. Morningside College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full elementary education program report for Morningside College
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #21 for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 161 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $47,123 early in their careers. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of Nebraska At Omaha
University Of Mary ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Mary graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $44,806. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Mary
Emporia State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. About 56% of students finish within six years. Emporia State University awarded about 130 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Emporia State University earn around $47,799 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,976.
Get the full elementary education details for Emporia State University
Northwestern College Iowa landed the #24 spot for elementary education this year. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern College Iowa graduates 66% of students within six years. Northwestern College Iowa awarded about 18 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $48,608. Northwestern College Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,995 in student loans.
Get the full elementary education details for Northwestern College Iowa
Coe College earned the #25 position for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Coe College graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Coe College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $44,511 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the elementary education program at Coe College
Rest of the Top 50 Elementary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary education ranking:
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 · 186 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).
