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2023 Most Focused Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Elementary Education in the Plains States Region

152 Ranked Colleges
5,308 Degrees Awarded
$23,300 Avg Cost*
Schools for a Bachelor's Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Elementary Education is the 17th most popular major in the country with 42,862 degrees awarded in 2021-2022.

Across the Plains States region, there were 6,332 elementary education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 5,308 elementary education graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,724 and $22,887 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region” ranking looked at 152 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in elementary education. That schools that top this list have a program in elementary education in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Elementary Education Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
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More Elementary Teaching Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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.

Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region bachelor’s degree elementary teaching students.

Top 25 Most Focused Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Elementary Education in the Plains States Region

1
MLC crest
Martin Luther College
New Ulm, Minnesota

Out of the 152 schools in the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Martin Luther College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in New Ulm, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 64 degrees to qualified bachelors’s elementary teaching students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at MLC

2
Valley City State University crest
Valley City State University
Valley City, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Valley City State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region list. Valley City State University is a public institution located in Valley City, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 115 bachelors’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 Valley City State University Elementary Education Report

3
Mayville State University crest
Mayville State University
Mayville, North Dakota

Out of the 152 schools in the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Mayville State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Mayville, North Dakota, this small public school awarded 30 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s elementary teaching students in 2021-2022.

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%.

Full Mayville State University Elementary Education Report

4
BVU crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Buena Vista University. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region. Storm Lake, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees to 85 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 more about Elementary Education at BVU

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region. This small school is located in Fayette, Missouri, and it awarded 86 bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies

6

Hannibal - LaGrange University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Hannibal, Missouri, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Hannibal - LaGrange University

7
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Dordt University
Sioux Center, Iowa

Dordt University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Sioux Center, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees to 54 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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 Dordt

8
NSU crest
Northern State University
Aberdeen, South Dakota

Northern State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and it awarded 34 bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 Northern State University

9

University of Northern Iowa landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 281 bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 UNI

10
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Black Hills State University
Spearfish, South Dakota

With a ranking of #10, Black Hills State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Spearfish, South Dakota, and it awarded 54 bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at BHSU

11

Drury University - College of Continuing Professional Studies ranked #11 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 16 bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Drury University - CCPS

12
Newman University crest
Newman University
Wichita, Kansas

Newman University ranked #12 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 58 bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Newman University Elementary Education Report

13
CSB crest
College of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, Minnesota

College of Saint Benedict ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Saint Joseph, Minnesota, and it awarded 31 bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% 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%.

Read more about Elementary Education at CSB

14

William Penn University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and it awarded 41 bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full William Penn University Elementary Education Report

15
Baptist Bible College crest
Baptist Bible College
Springfield, Missouri

Baptist Bible College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #15. Baptist Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 5 bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Baptist Bible College

16
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Chadron State College
Chadron, Nebraska

Chadron State College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Chadron, Nebraska, this small public school handed out 33 degrees to qualified bachelors’s elementary teaching students in 2021-2022.

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 Chadron State College

17

University of Nebraska at Kearney landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Kearney, Nebraska, and it awarded 97 bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 University of Nebraska at Kearney

18
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

With a ranking of #18, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region list. Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 132 bachelors’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 Winona State

19
Hastings crest
Hastings College
Hastings, Nebraska

Hastings College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #19. Hastings, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees to 12 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 Hastings College Elementary Education Report

20
DSU crest
Dickinson State University
Dickinson, North Dakota

Dickinson State University ranked #20 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region list. Dickinson, North Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees to 21 students in 2021-2022.

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 DSU

21
NWC crest
Northwestern College
Orange City, Iowa

Northwestern College ranked #21 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region list. Orange City, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees to 24 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full NWC Elementary Education Report

22

Wichita State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Wichita, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees to 272 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wichita State University Elementary Education Report

23
Wartburg crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, Iowa

With a ranking of #23, Wartburg College did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region list. Waverly, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees to 17 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%.

Full Wartburg College Elementary Education Report

24
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

With a ranking of #24, Wayne State College did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Wayne, Nebraska, and it awarded 53 bachelors’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Wayne State College

25
North Central University crest
North Central University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

North Central University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #25. North Central University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full North Central University Elementary Education Report

Notes and References

References

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