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

6 Colleges in the United States
247 Elementary Education Degrees Awarded
$49,042 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools to find the best for elementary education students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Elementary Education in South Dakota

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the elementary education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Elementary Education

1

Leading the list is Dakota Wesleyan University, our #1 school for elementary education. Dakota Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mitchell. Dakota Wesleyan University graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Dakota Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Dakota Wesleyan University earn a median of $71,856 early in their careers. Dakota Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in elementary education from Dakota Wesleyan University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of South Dakota one of the top schools for elementary education. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 50 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of South Dakota in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $46,542 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full elementary education program report for University Of South Dakota

3

Students looking for a strong elementary education program will find one at Augustana College South Dakota, which ranked #3. Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Augustana College South Dakota in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of $44,290 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in elementary education from Augustana College South Dakota

4

Northern State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. Northern State University graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Northern State University in the most recent data year. Elementary Education graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $46,042 early in their careers. Northern State University graduates carry a median of $24,242 in student loans. Read more about the elementary education program at Northern State University

5

Mount Marty College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Yankton, Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit university. Mount Marty College graduates 52% of students within six years. About 15 elementary education degrees were awarded at Mount Marty College in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Mount Marty College earn around $45,760 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full elementary education details for Mount Marty College

6

Dakota State University landed the #6 spot for elementary education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Madison. About 49% of students finish within six years. Dakota State University awarded about 36 elementary education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Dakota State University earn around $46,627 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,600. See the full elementary education program report for Dakota State University

7

Black Hills State University landed the #7 spot for elementary education this year. Set in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 elementary education degrees were awarded at Black Hills State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their elementary education degree from Black Hills State University earn around $51,049 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,312. Get the full elementary education details for Black Hills State University

8

University Of Sioux Falls ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best elementary education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 19 elementary education degrees were awarded at University Of Sioux Falls in the most recent year. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Sioux Falls earn a median of $40,171 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in elementary education from University Of Sioux Falls

9

Oglala Lakota College landed the #9 spot for elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public university. Oglala Lakota College graduates 9% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 elementary education students who graduated with this degree at Oglala Lakota College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in elementary education from Oglala Lakota College

10

Sinte Gleska University came in at #10 for elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Mission, Sinte Gleska University is a small public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 15 elementary education degrees were awarded at Sinte Gleska University in the most recent year. See the full elementary education program report for Sinte Gleska University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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