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2025 Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region

108 Colleges in the Plains States Region
32,514 Education Degrees Awarded
$53,180 Avg Early-Career Salary
A degree in education is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #4 out of 38 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual reviewed 108 schools in the Plains States Region to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of education. Combined, these schools handed out 32,514 degrees in education to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Education School

Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region The education program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Education rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for education schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Education Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Education
Master's Degrees in Education
Doctor's Degrees in Education

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region list to help you make the college decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Education in the Plains States Region

The schools below may not offer all types of education degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

21 Top Plains States Region Schools in Education

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
869 Education Degrees Awarded
$48,634 Median Starting Salary

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in education. UMN Twin Cities is a very large public university located in the city of Minneapolis. A Best Colleges rank of #45 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were about 869 education students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year. After graduation, education degree recipients typically make about $48,634 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in education from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
626 Education Degrees Awarded
$45,227 Median Starting Salary

University of Northern Iowa is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in education. UNI is a moderately-sized public university located in the city of Cedar Falls. A Best Colleges rank of #270 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UNI is a great university overall.

There were roughly 626 education students who graduated with this degree at UNI in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program report average early career wages of $45,227.

More information about a degree in education from University of Northern Iowa

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
425 Education Degrees Awarded
$47,403 Median Starting Salary

It's hard to beat Iowa State University if you wish to pursue a degree in education. Iowa State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Ames. A Best Colleges rank of #88 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Iowa State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 425 education students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the education program make an average of $47,403 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in education from Iowa State University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
791 Education Degrees Awarded
$46,682 Median Starting Salary

Any student pursuing a degree in education has to look into Kansas State University. Located in the small city of Manhattan, K -State is a public university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #269 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means K -State is a great university overall.

There were about 791 education students who graduated with this degree at K -State in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program report average early career wages of $46,682.

More information about a degree in education from Kansas State University

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
293 Education Degrees Awarded
$43,653 Median Starting Salary

Located in the distant town of Winona, Winona State is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #330 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Winona State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 293 education students who graduated with this degree at Winona State in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients generally earn an average of $43,653 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in education from Winona State University

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
735 Education Degrees Awarded
$49,770 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, Mizzou is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #131 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Mizzou is a great university overall.

There were roughly 735 education students who graduated with this degree at Mizzou in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the education program make about $49,770 for their early career.

More information about a degree in education from University of Missouri - Columbia

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
530 Education Degrees Awarded
$51,688 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Lincoln, UNL is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #207 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UNL is a great university overall.

There were roughly 530 education students who graduated with this degree at UNL in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program state that they receive average early career income of $51,688.

More information about a degree in education from University of Nebraska - Lincoln

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
149 Education Degrees Awarded
$46,706 Median Starting Salary

MLC is a fairly small private not-for-profit college located in the distant town of New Ulm.

There were roughly 149 education students who graduated with this degree at MLC in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program state that they receive average early career earnings of $46,706.

More information about a degree in education from Martin Luther College

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
167 Education Degrees Awarded
$44,473 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Duluth, UMN Duluth is a public university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 17th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were about 167 education students who graduated with this degree at UMN Duluth in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, education degree recipients usually earn around $44,473 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in education from University of Minnesota - Duluth

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
257 Education Degrees Awarded
$52,568 Median Starting Salary

UST MN is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Saint Paul. A Best Colleges rank of #106 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UST MN is a great university overall.

There were approximately 257 education students who graduated with this degree at UST MN in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program state that they receive average early career wages of $52,568.

More information about a degree in education from University of St Thomas Minnesota

11
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
410 Education Degrees Awarded
$53,123 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #80 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.

There were approximately 410 education students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients usually earn an average of $53,123 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in education from University of Iowa

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
835 Education Degrees Awarded
$36,806 Median Starting Salary

Missouri State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Springfield. This university ranks 10th out of 48 schools for overall quality in the state of Missouri.

There were about 835 education students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program report average early career wages of $36,806.

More information about a degree in education from Missouri State University - Springfield

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
170 Education Degrees Awarded
$52,110 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Fargo, North Dakota State University is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 12 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Dakota.

There were about 170 education students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program state that they receive average early career income of $52,110.

More information about a degree in education from North Dakota State University - Main Campus

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
581 Education Degrees Awarded
$55,068 Median Starting Salary

Minnesota State Mankato is a large public university located in the city of Mankato. This university ranks 11th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were about 581 education students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State Mankato in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, education degree recipients typically make an average of $55,068 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in education from Minnesota State University - Mankato

15
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
365 Education Degrees Awarded
$63,762 Median Starting Salary

Hamline is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Saint Paul. This university ranks 20th out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were approximately 365 education students who graduated with this degree at Hamline in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the education degree program at Hamline University make $10,582 above the standard graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in education from Hamline University

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
370 Education Degrees Awarded
$44,037 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St. Cloud State University is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 33rd out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were roughly 370 education students who graduated with this degree at St. Cloud State University in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program report average early career income of $44,037.

More information about a degree in education from Saint Cloud State University

17
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
269 Education Degrees Awarded
$47,473 Median Starting Salary

Valley City State University is a small public university located in the town of Valley City. This university ranks 6th out of 12 schools for overall quality in the state of North Dakota.

There were about 269 education students who graduated with this degree at Valley City State University in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program state that they receive average early career earnings of $47,473.

More information about a degree in education from Valley City State University

18
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
341 Education Degrees Awarded
$56,567 Median Starting Salary

Concordia University, Nebraska is a small private not-for-profit university located in the town of Seward. This university ranks 8th out of 19 colleges for overall quality in the state of Nebraska.

There were about 341 education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University, Nebraska in the most recent year we have data available. Education degree recipients from Concordia University, Nebraska get an earnings boost of around $3,387 above the average earnings of education majors.

More information about a degree in education from Concordia University, Nebraska

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
416 Education Degrees Awarded
$50,710 Median Starting Salary

UND is a large public university located in the small city of Grand Forks. A Best Colleges rank of #335 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UND is a great university overall.

There were roughly 415.99999999999994 education students who graduated with this degree at UND in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, education degree recipients usually earn about $50,710 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in education from University of North Dakota

20
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
649 Education Degrees Awarded
$39,650 Median Starting Salary

Located in the town of Warrensburg, UCM is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 21st out of 48 colleges for overall quality in the state of Missouri.

There were about 649 education students who graduated with this degree at UCM in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients usually earn about $39,650 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in education from University of Central Missouri

21
Hastings crest
Hastings College
Hastings, NE
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
47 Education Degrees Awarded
$40,406 Median Starting Salary

Hastings is a small private not-for-profit college located in the distant town of Hastings. This college ranks 1028th out of 2,152 schools for overall quality nationwide.

There were about 47 education students who graduated with this degree at Hastings in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, education degree recipients typically make an average of $40,406 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in education from Hastings College

Rest of the Top Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Education Schools in the Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
22 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
23 Emporia State University Emporia, KS
24 Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO
25 Minnesota State University - Moorhead Moorhead, MN
26 Wayne State College Wayne, NE
27 Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS
28 South Dakota State University Brookings, SD
29 Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO
30 Minot State University Minot, ND
31 University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD
32 College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, MN
33 University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MO
34 Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO
35 Drake University Des Moines, IA
36 Northwestern College Orange City, IA

Best Education Colleges by State

Explore the best education schools for a specific state in the Plains States Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Kansas 38 4,511
Minnesota 38 8,358
Iowa 38 3,326
South Dakota 38 1,043
Missouri 38 7,228
Nebraska 36 3,897
North Dakota 35 1,234

View All Rankings >

Education Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 10,585
Teacher Education Subject Specific 5,052
Educational Administration 4,789
General Education 3,338
Special Education 2,740
Curriculum & Instruction 2,140
Student Counseling 1,833
Instructional Media Design 606
Other Education 538
Teaching English or French 529

View All Education Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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