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

20 Colleges in the United States
1,048 Elementary Education Degrees Awarded
$36,052 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.

College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best elementary education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Elementary Education in Missouri

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

Top Schools in Elementary Education

1

University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in elementary education. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 106 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $37,302 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for University Of Missouri Columbia

2

Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 22 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $39,942. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of Missouri Kansas City

3

University Of Central Missouri came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 188 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from University Of Central Missouri earn around $38,947 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,199 to complete this degree. See the full elementary education program report for University Of Central Missouri

4
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at Truman State University, which ranked #4. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Truman State University awarded about 26 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $41,455 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,168. Read more about the elementary education program at Truman State University

5

University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Missouri St Louis awarded about 104 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $42,019 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,375. More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of Missouri St Louis

6

Missouri State University Springfield placed #6 among the best elementary education schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 162 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $37,907 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. See the full elementary education program report for Missouri State University Springfield

7

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #7 spot for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. Southeast Missouri State University awarded about 38 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $37,061 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,995 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University

8

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #8 for elementary education this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Northwest Missouri State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 83 elementary education degrees were awarded at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $37,066 in their early career. Northwest Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at Northwest Missouri State University

9

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies awarded about 97 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $32,393. Typical student debt for the program is $20,431. See the full elementary education program report for Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies

10

Missouri Southern State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 elementary education degrees were awarded at Missouri Southern State University in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $36,345 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete this degree. See the full elementary education program report for Missouri Southern State University

11
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Park University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Park University earn around $36,667 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,732. More information about a degree in elementary education from Park University

12

Southwest Baptist University landed the #12 spot for elementary education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Bolivar. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 elementary education degrees were awarded at Southwest Baptist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southwest Baptist University generally make around $27,348. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree. See the full elementary education program report for Southwest Baptist University

13

Missouri Western State University placed #13 among the best elementary education schools. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Missouri Western State University graduates 39% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Missouri Western State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $33,695. Missouri Western State University graduates carry a median of $21,352 in student loans. Get the full elementary education details for Missouri Western State University

14
Evangel University crest
Evangel University
Springfield, MO

Evangel University earned the #14 position for elementary education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Evangel University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $36,005 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the elementary education program at Evangel University

15
Drury University crest
Drury University
Springfield, MO

Drury University earned the #15 position for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Drury University awarded about 13 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the elementary education program make about $31,726 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,262 to complete this degree. Get the full elementary education details for Drury University

16

Missouri Baptist University placed #16 among the best elementary education schools. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Missouri Baptist University awarded about 30 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University generally make around $38,068. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in elementary education from Missouri Baptist University

17
Lincoln University Missouri crest
Lincoln University Missouri
Jefferson City, MO

Lincoln University Missouri earned the #17 position for elementary education this year. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. Lincoln University Missouri graduates 20% of students within six years. Lincoln University Missouri awarded about 24 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $33,262. Typical student debt for the program is $30,259. More information about a degree in elementary education from Lincoln University Missouri

18

Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies came in at #18 for elementary education this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies graduates 21% of students within six years. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies awarded about 19 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earn around $31,726 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,262. Read more about the elementary education program at Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 38 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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