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2023 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

109 Ranked Colleges
6,429 Degrees Awarded
$10,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 43,003 people earned their degree in elementary education, making the major the 17th most popular in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 6,429 elementary education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 109 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in elementary education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great elementary education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the elementary education program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The elementary teaching school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 109 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 87 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Elementary Education Report

2
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

Out of the 109 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #2 spot on the list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 304 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $10,513 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full UNI Elementary Education Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 195 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $9,766 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa State.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Iowa State Elementary Education Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Morris. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Morris is located in Morris, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Morris is $3,941 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UMN Morris

5
Valley City State University crest
Valley City State University
Valley City, North Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Valley City State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Valley City State University is located in Valley City, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 103 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Valley City State University is $7,877 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Valley City State University

6
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 133 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #2 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $13,554 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Iowa Elementary Education Report

7
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMSL is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 182 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $9,991 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at University of Missouri - St Louis

8
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 81 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,394 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Dakota.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of North Dakota Elementary Education Report

9

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 84 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $11,005 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Elementary Education Report

10
Northeast crest
Northeast Community College
Norfolk, Nebraska

Northeast Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This medium-sized school is located in Norfolk, Nebraska, and it awarded 34 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northeast is $6,320 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Northeast Community College Elementary Education Report

11

University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.

UNL also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $11,672 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Elementary Education at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

12

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northwest is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 125 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwest has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwest is $9,906 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Northwest

13
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MSU is located in Minot, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $8,920 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MSU.

Read more about Elementary Education at MSU

14

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 239 students in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $12,381 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Missouri State University - Springfield

15

With a ranking of #15, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 146 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $11,692 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Elementary Education Report

16
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This medium-sized school is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and it awarded 84 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $10,359 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Southeast Missouri State University

17
Mayville State University crest
Mayville State University
Mayville, North Dakota

Mayville State University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mayville, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Mayville State University is $9,250 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Mayville State University

18
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 73 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $10,348 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at St. Cloud State University

19

With a ranking of #19, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 183 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,578 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UNOMAHA Elementary Education Report

20
WSU crest
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Wichita State University is a fairly large public school situated in Wichita, Kansas. It awarded 261 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WSU is $11,687 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full WSU Elementary Education Report

21
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winona State is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 138 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State also took the #17 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $11,721 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State University Elementary Education Report

22
DSU crest
Dickinson State University
Dickinson, North Dakota

Dickinson State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dickinson, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Dickinson State University is $9,636 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Dickinson State University Elementary Education Report

23
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 313 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for K -State is $13,436 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Kansas State University Elementary Education Report

24
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCM is located in Warrensburg, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 192 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UCM is $11,006 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full University of Central Missouri Elementary Education Report

25
LU Missouri crest
Lincoln University
Jefferson City, Missouri

Lincoln University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Jefferson City, Missouri, this small public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,968 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend LU Missouri.

Read more about Elementary Education at LU Missouri

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