2026 Best Elementary Education Schools in Iowa

1

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Our analysis ranked Iowa State University the best school in the country for a degree in elementary education. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Iowa State University awarded about 157 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $45,512. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for Iowa State University

2

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

A rank of #2 makes University Of Iowa one of the top schools for elementary education. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 131 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $45,015 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the elementary education program at University Of Iowa

3

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. 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

4

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in elementary education, ranking #4. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 27 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $46,479 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full elementary education program report for Drake University

5

Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

A rank of #5 makes Morningside College one of the top schools for elementary education. Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. Morningside College graduates 50% of students within six years. About 62 elementary education degrees were awarded at Morningside College in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $48,478 in their early career. Morningside College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Morningside College

6

Northwestern College Iowa
Orange City, IA

Northwestern College Iowa ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern College Iowa awarded about 18 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Northwestern College Iowa earn around $48,608 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,995. More information about a degree in elementary education from Northwestern College Iowa

7

Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College came in at #7 for elementary education this year. Coe College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. 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. Coe College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full elementary education program report for Coe College

8

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Des Moines Area Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ankeny. There were roughly 36 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $43,121 in their early career. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Des Moines Area Community College

9

Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College came in at #9 for elementary education this year. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 22 elementary education degrees were awarded at Wartburg College in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $44,999 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,757 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary education from Wartburg College

10

Luther College
Decorah, IA

Luther College landed the #10 spot for elementary education this year. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Luther College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $45,691. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full elementary education details for Luther College

11

Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa, IA

Indian Hills Community College earned the #11 position for elementary education this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 13 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Indian Hills Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Typical student debt for the program is $15,390. Read more about the elementary education program at Indian Hills Community College

12

Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, IA

Iowa Western Community College placed #12 among the best elementary education schools. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Iowa Western Community College awarded about 14 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Iowa Western Community College earn around $43,444 in the first couple years of their career. Iowa Western Community College graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Iowa Western Community College

13

Simpson College
Indianola, IA

Simpson College came in at #13 for elementary education this year. Set in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Simpson College awarded about 16 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Simpson College earn around $42,760 in the first couple years of their career. Simpson College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at Simpson College

14

Central College
Pella, IA

Central College came in at #14 for elementary education this year. Located in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 19 elementary education degrees were awarded at Central College in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Central College earn around $44,000 in the first couple years of their career. Central College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full elementary education program report for Central College

15

Waldorf College
Forest City, IA

Waldorf College landed the #15 spot for elementary education this year. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the rural area of Forest City. Waldorf College graduates 24% of students within six years. About 17 elementary education degrees were awarded at Waldorf College in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $63,346 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,622. Read more about the elementary education program at Waldorf College

16

Southeastern Community College West Burlington
West Burlington, IA

Southeastern Community College West Burlington landed the #16 spot for elementary education this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of West Burlington. About 14 elementary education degrees were awarded at Southeastern Community College West Burlington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. Students borrow a median of $16,126 to complete this degree. Read more about the elementary education program at Southeastern Community College West Burlington

17

Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA

Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #17 spot for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Eastern Iowa Community College District awarded about 14 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Eastern Iowa Community College District graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Eastern Iowa Community College District

18

Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College placed #18 among the best elementary education schools. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Dordt College graduates 74% of students within six years. About 19 elementary education degrees were awarded at Dordt College in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Dordt College earn around $39,749 in the first couple years of their career. Dordt College graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at Dordt College

19

Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Saint Ambrose University earn around $41,178 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Ambrose University graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Saint Ambrose University

20

Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Storm Lake. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 92 elementary education degrees were awarded at Buena Vista University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Buena Vista University earn around $42,834 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $41,996 to complete this degree. See the full elementary education program report for Buena Vista University

21

Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA

Mount Mercy University came in at #21 for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Mount Mercy University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $43,810 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,687 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for Mount Mercy University

22

Clarke University
Dubuque, IA

Clarke University came in at #22 for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 22 elementary education degrees were awarded at Clarke University in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Clarke University earn a median of $42,204 early in their careers. Clarke University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Clarke University

23

Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University earned the #23 position for elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Upper Iowa University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $41,802. Typical student debt for the program is $37,646. More information about a degree in elementary education from Upper Iowa University

24

Graceland University Lamoni
Lamoni, IA

Graceland University Lamoni came in at #24 for elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 elementary education degrees were awarded at Graceland University Lamoni in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Graceland University Lamoni earn around $36,563 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the elementary education program at Graceland University Lamoni

25

William Penn University
Oskaloosa, IA

William Penn University earned the #25 position for elementary education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Oskaloosa. About 33% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at William Penn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from William Penn University earn around $40,049 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $32,642 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for William Penn University