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2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

109 Ranked Colleges
6,429 Degrees Awarded
$10,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Elementary Education is the 17th most popular major in the country with 43,003 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

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 $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 109 colleges that offered a degree in elementary education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent elementary education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the elementary education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. 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. It costs about $8,609 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Morris. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Morris, Minnesota, this small public school awarded 16 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,230 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Morris.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 more about Elementary Education at UMN Morris

3

Out of the 109 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 195 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $11,427 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa State.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full Iowa State Elementary Education Report

4
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 109 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #4 spot on the list. UMSL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 182 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $8,324 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UMSL

5
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 304 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $13,175 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UNI

6
Northeast crest
Northeast Community College
Norfolk, Nebraska

With a ranking of #6, Northeast Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northeast is a medium-sized school located in Norfolk, Nebraska that handed out 34 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northeast Community College is $7,170 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

7
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Minot, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,060 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Minot State University.

Full MSU Elementary Education Report

8
Valley City State University crest
Valley City State University
Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Valley City, North Dakota, this small public school awarded 103 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Valley City State University is $8,570 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Elementary Education at Valley City State University

9

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. 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.

Northwest also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Northwest Missouri State University is $10,608 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Northwest Missouri State University

10
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 81 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k list, UND has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $13,151 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UND

11

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 84 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,386 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Mizzou.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 - Columbia

12
DSU crest
Dickinson State University
Dickinson, North Dakota

With a ranking of #12, Dickinson State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dickinson State University is a public institution located in Dickinson, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Dickinson State University is $10,484 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Dickinson State University

13
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #13, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 133 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $15,508 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Elementary Education at University of Iowa

14

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNL is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 100 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNL has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $13,453 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Elementary Education Report

15
Saint Mary crest
College of Saint Mary
Omaha, Nebraska

College of Saint Mary did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Saint Mary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,321 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Mary.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at College of Saint Mary

16

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 146 students in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $12,263 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato

17

With a ranking of #17, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $13,144 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Missouri State University - Springfield

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

With a ranking of #18, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 73 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,825 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St. Cloud State University.

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%.

Full St. Cloud State University Elementary Education Report

19
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

With a ranking of #19, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 84 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $11,406 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Southeast Missouri State University

20

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Nebraska at Omaha is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 183 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $11,294 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNOMAHA.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at University of Nebraska at Omaha

21
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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school awarded 261 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WSU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wichita State University is $12,272 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Wichita State University

22
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Truman State University is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Truman State University is $8,898 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, 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 88%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Truman State

22
ESU crest
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Emporia State University is located in Emporia, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 112 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Emporia State University is $12,971 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% 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 ESU Elementary Education Report

24

Fort Hays State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hays, Kansas, and it awarded 141 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend FHSU is $10,847 for plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at FHSU

25
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Winona State is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 138 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region elementary teaching students whose families make $30-$48k list, Winona State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $12,963 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 more about Elementary Education at Winona State University

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