by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 87 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 5,085 bachelor's degrees in elementary education to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The elementary teaching bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for elementary education students working on their bachelor's degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
It's hard to beat University of Minnesota - Twin Cities if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Kansas State University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in elementary education. K -State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Manhattan.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Kansas State University
It is hard to beat University of Northern Iowa if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, UNI is a public university with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Northern Iowa
Every student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in elementary education has to take a look at Missouri State University - Springfield. Located in the medium-sized city of Springfield, Missouri State is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Missouri State University - Springfield
Located in the small city of Ames, Iowa State is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Iowa State University
Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Iowa City.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Iowa
Mizzou is a very large public university located in the city of Columbia.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Missouri - Columbia
UNL is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Lincoln.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Winona State is a moderately-sized public university located in the town of Winona.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Winona State University
UCM is a large public university located in the distant town of Warrensburg.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Central Missouri
Located in the distant town of New Ulm, MLC is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Martin Luther College
KU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Lawrence.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Kansas
ESU is a small public university located in the town of Emporia.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Emporia State University
Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State Mankato is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Minnesota State University - Mankato
Located in the city of Grand Forks, UND is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from University of North Dakota
Located in the remote town of Maryville, Northwest is a public university with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Northwest Missouri State University
MSU Moorhead is a small public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Moorhead.More information about a bachelor’s in elementary education from Minnesota State University - Moorhead
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Wayne State College | Wayne, NE |
| 19 | Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud, MN |
| 20 | University of Missouri - St Louis | Saint Louis, MO |
| 21 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha, NE |
| 22 | Augustana University | Sioux Falls, SD |
| 23 | University of South Dakota | Vermillion, SD |
| 24 | Wichita State University | Wichita, KS |
| 25 | Valley City State University | Valley City, ND |
| 26 | University of Missouri - Kansas City | Kansas City, MO |
| 27 | Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, MO |
| 28 | Pittsburg State University | Pittsburg, KS |
| 29 | Northwestern College | Orange City, IA |
Explore the best elementary education schools for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 475 | 1,137 |
| Minnesota | 446 | 986 |
| Iowa | 403 | 1,175 |
| Kansas | 352 | 982 |
| Nebraska | 331 | 528 |
| North Dakota | 251 | 328 |
| South Dakota | 237 | 253 |
Elementary Education is one of 13 different types of Teacher Education Grade Specific programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | 742 |
| Secondary Education | 726 |
| Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education & Teaching | 222 |
| Teacher Education | 61 |
| Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching | 31 |
| Montessori Teacher Education | 17 |
| Teacher Development & Methodology | 12 |
