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2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

109 Ranked Colleges
6,429 Degrees Awarded
$14,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 109 colleges that offer a degree in elementary education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality elementary education programs that also have a lower cost than 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. 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 Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1
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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Missouri - St Louis 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 $12,232 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students with aid.

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

2
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Northern Iowa. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Northern Iowa 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 took the #1 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $16,438 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UNI

3

Out of the 109 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Iowa State University is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 195 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $16,002 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 Iowa State University

4
Northeast crest
Northeast Community College
Norfolk, Nebraska

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northeast Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northeast Community College is a public institution located in Norfolk, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northeast Community College is $9,029 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students with aid.

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 Elementary Education Report

5
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Iowa. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 133 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $19,401 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid.

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%. 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

6

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 87 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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%.

Read more about Elementary Education at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

7

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northwest is located in Maryville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 125 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region elementary teaching students with aid 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 Missouri State University is $12,925 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid.

Full Northwest Elementary Education Report

8
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Minot, North Dakota, this small public school handed out 41 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for MSU is $12,205 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid.

Read full report on Elementary Education at MSU

9
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #9, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 81 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching 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. The yearly cost to attend UND is $16,966 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students with aid.

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%.

Full University of North Dakota Elementary Education Report

10
Valley City State University crest
Valley City State University
Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Valley City State University is a public institution located in Valley City, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 103 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Valley City State University is $11,676 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Valley City State University

11
WSU crest
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. WSU 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 $14,859 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students with aid.

Full WSU Elementary Education Report

12

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 239 ’s elementary teaching degrees 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. It costs about $16,718 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid per year to attend Missouri State.

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

13

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school awarded 84 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region elementary teaching students with aid list, Mizzou has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $16,559 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Elementary Education at Mizzou

14

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 183 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,914 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid 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 UNOMAHA

15

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 100 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,013 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Elementary Education at UNL

16
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid 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 $14,581 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid per year to attend St. Cloud State University.

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 St. Cloud State University

16

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 146 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $17,159 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students with aid per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.

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 Mankato Elementary Education Report

18
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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. 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.

It costs about $13,568 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid per year to attend Southeast Missouri State University.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Elementary Education Report

19

University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Morris, Minnesota, and it awarded 16 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Morris is $10,529 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at UMN Morris

20
DSU crest
Dickinson State University
Dickinson, North Dakota

With a ranking of #20, Dickinson State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Dickinson State University is located in Dickinson, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Dickinson State University is $12,673 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students with aid.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Dickinson State University

21
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Warrensburg, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 192 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Central Missouri is $14,058 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid.

Full UCM Elementary Education Report

22
ESU crest
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Emporia, Kansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 112 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Emporia State University is $14,794 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid.

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

23
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school awarded 313 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students 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 $18,433 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Kansas State University

24

Fort Hays State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Fort Hays State University is a public institution located in Hays, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 141 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fort Hays State University is $13,189 for Plains States Region Elementary Teaching students with aid.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Fort Hays State University

25
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Winona State University is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 138 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $17,634 for plains states region elementary teaching students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State University Elementary Education Report

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