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

21 Colleges in the United States
1,048 Elementary Education Degrees Awarded
$43,797 Avg Early-Career Salary

Elementary Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 38 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 Minnesota

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

Top Schools in Elementary Education

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Minnesota Twin Cities this year for elementary education. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 72 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $36,271 early in their careers. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,598 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2

A rank of #2 makes Winona State University one of the top schools for elementary education. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. Winona State University graduates 56% of students within six years. Winona State University awarded about 112 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $42,519 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,470 to complete this degree. Read more about the elementary education program at Winona State University

3

A rank of #3 makes The College Of Saint Scholastica one of the top schools for elementary education. Set in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 14 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at The College Of Saint Scholastica in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $47,898 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,495 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary education from The College Of Saint Scholastica

4

University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $47,728 early in their careers. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

5

A rank of #5 makes Minnesota State University Mankato one of the top schools for elementary education. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. About 54% of students finish within six years. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 145 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $49,867 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,603. Get the full elementary education details for Minnesota State University Mankato

6

Bethel University Minnesota came in at #6 for elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Bethel University Minnesota earn around $45,361 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full elementary education details for Bethel University Minnesota

7

Concordia College At Moorhead came in at #7 for elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Concordia College At Moorhead awarded about 16 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Concordia College At Moorhead earn around $44,195 in the first couple years of their career. Concordia College At Moorhead graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Concordia College At Moorhead

8

Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #8 for elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 63 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $43,245 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full elementary education details for Minnesota State University Moorhead

9

Martin Luther College placed #9 among the best elementary education schools. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. Martin Luther College awarded about 66 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $46,706 in their early career. Martin Luther College graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for Martin Luther College

10

Saint Cloud State University placed #10 among the best elementary education schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $40,580. Saint Cloud State University graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Saint Cloud State University

11

Bethany Lutheran College came in at #11 for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Bethany Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 elementary education degrees were awarded at Bethany Lutheran College in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Bethany Lutheran College earn around $44,462 in the first couple years of their career. Bethany Lutheran College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for Bethany Lutheran College

12
College Of Saint Benedict crest
College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN

College Of Saint Benedict landed the #12 spot for elementary education this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at College Of Saint Benedict in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $43,466 in their early career. College Of Saint Benedict graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for College Of Saint Benedict

13

Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. About 45% of students finish within six years. Concordia University Saint Paul awarded about 48 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Concordia University Saint Paul earn around $42,105 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary education from Concordia University Saint Paul

14

Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. Southwest Minnesota State University graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Southwest Minnesota State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Southwest Minnesota State University earn around $41,333 in the first couple years of their career. Southwest Minnesota State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for Southwest Minnesota State University

15
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College landed the #15 spot for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Augsburg College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $47,511. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. More information about a degree in elementary education from Augsburg College

16

University Of Minnesota Morris landed the #16 spot for elementary education this year. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 14 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Morris in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Morris earn a median of $46,414 early in their careers. University Of Minnesota Morris graduates carry a median of $24,767 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for University Of Minnesota Morris

17

Bemidji State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Bemidji. Bemidji State University graduates 46% of students within six years. Bemidji State University awarded about 78 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $42,841. Typical student debt for the program is $27,757. More information about a degree in elementary education from Bemidji State University

18
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University landed the #18 spot for elementary education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 elementary education degrees were awarded at St Catherine University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $41,913. St Catherine University graduates carry a median of $29,883 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from St Catherine University

19
North Central University crest
North Central University
Minneapolis, MN

North Central University placed #19 among the best elementary education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. North Central University graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at North Central University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $40,927 in their early career. North Central University graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at North Central University

20

Metropolitan State University placed #20 among the best elementary education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $42,471. Students borrow a median of $28,279 to complete this degree. Read more about the elementary education program at Metropolitan State University

21
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 200 elementary education degrees were awarded at Walden University in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $41,927 in their early career. Walden University graduates carry a median of $47,261 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for Walden 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 · 38 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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