by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 26 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Education Doctor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 1,773 doctor's degrees in education to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The education doctor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
The overall quality of a doctor's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Doctor's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their doctor's degree from the school. After all, your doctor's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for education students working on their doctor's degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Education Doctor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a doctor's degree in education.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is one of the best schools in the country for getting a doctor's degree in education. Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a doctorate in education from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Saint Cloud State University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a doctor's degree in education. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Saint Cloud.More information about a doctorate in education from Saint Cloud State University
Hamline University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a doctor's degree in education. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a doctorate in education from Hamline University
It is difficult to beat University of North Dakota if you wish to pursue a doctor's degree in education. Located in the city of Grand Forks, UND is a public university with a large student population.More information about a doctorate in education from University of North Dakota
Mizzou is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Columbia.More information about a doctorate in education from University of Missouri - Columbia
Located in the midsize city of Des Moines, Drake is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a doctorate in education from Drake University
UNL is a very large public university located in the large city of Lincoln.More information about a doctorate in education from University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Located in the large suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville U is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a doctorate in education from Maryville University of Saint Louis
Located in the city of Saint Paul, UST MN is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a doctorate in education from University of St Thomas Minnesota
Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the city of Iowa City.More information about a doctorate in education from University of Iowa
Explore the best education colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 27 | 975 |
| Missouri | 27 | 478 |
| Kansas | 26 | 125 |
| Iowa | 26 | 81 |
| Nebraska | 24 | 225 |
| North Dakota | 21 | 40 |
| South Dakota | 15 | 23 |
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Educational Administration | 954 |
| General Education | 366 |
| Curriculum & Instruction | 151 |
| Student Counseling | 64 |
| Educational Assessment | 62 |
| Teacher Education Grade Specific | 59 |
| Other Education | 39 |
| Teacher Education Subject Specific | 32 |
| Instructional Media Design | 21 |
| Special Education | 19 |
