Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Elementary School Teachers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at UW Stout, UW Milwaukee, UW Eau Claire, and UW Whitewater.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Milwaukee Area Technical College, UW Parkside, Carroll University, and Lakeland.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Alverno and Mount Mary College.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College, Concordia, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and Carroll University.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College, Concordia, Lakeland, and Marian.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Northland International University, Maranatha Baptist Bible, Beloit, and Marquette.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Northland International University, Beloit, Wisconsin Lutheran College, and Northland College.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at University of Wisconsin, Beloit, Marquette, and Northland College.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Maranatha Baptist Bible, Mount Mary College, and Milwaukee Area Technical College.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Beloit, Wisconsin Lutheran College, Silver Lake College, and Northland College.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
Sort Reviews By:Sorting by: • Show All Details • Hide All Details
University Wisconsin Milwaukee • Milwaukee, WI
Studying World History (completion in 1986)
• 6/28/2011
"It is a good school with a good reputation. I feel I received a good education and a good start on growing up!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Because of its reputation and quality of education, I would recommend it to others. It is located on the East side of Milwaukee and gives students a look at big city life if they are from a rural area. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | The school has always had a good reputation in Wisconsin. The school has waiting lists for some fields because of their reputation (i.e. nursing). |
| Program Quality | 10 | I love history and I love working with teenagers. |
| Instruction | 9 | The education at UWW-Milwaukee can't be beat. It is a large school, but not so large that the professors lose sight of you and your goals |
| How Difficult | 5 | I didn't find the courses hard since I enjoy history. I found the first couple of days of practice teaching rough, but I was not in the best of schools in the area. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | UW Milwaukee was pretty "bookie" at the time I was in school. The hands-on learning I had was the practice teaching. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | I did not have a problem getting classes at a time that was suitable to my work schedule. I took some evening class which helped. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The facilities were getting old when I was in school, but a lot of building has gone on since. The computer lab was small and some of the rooms looked like they might fall apart around you. |
| Social Life | 10 | I was young and found time for the social events, even though I did have a job. I did not participate in any of the sports, but the school spirit was fantastic. |
| Placement Services | 5 | They have an active job placement service. I did not use the service because when I graduated, schools were begging for teachers. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | The alumni is active but I do not participate in the activities at this time. |
St. Norbert College • De Pere, WI
Studying Early Childhood Education (completion in 2010)
• 6/27/2011
"I was satisfied with the education I was provided; however, it came at a high cost. It seemed the school was always spending money needlessly while I paid so much to go there each year. It was frustrating sometimes to see how funds were used."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The education program was fantastic and really helped in finding a job. The small school allowed for a lot of one-on-one attention when needed and students were able to bond with others in their major. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | The education program at my college is very reputable and is known around the area. I believe education makes up the largest major at my college and the professors were well-trained and knowledgeable. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I think my school prepared me well. The college I attended has a very reputable education program. |
| Instruction | 9 | I learned many useful tips and tricks along with the basic training, but there are a few things I wish I would have learned more about while still in college. I felt like I had a lot of field experience by the time I graduated with a semester student teaching as well as 5 weeks of pre-student teaching as a sophomore. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The program overall wasn't difficult work-wise; however, it was often very busy and time consuming. The program was also sometimes quite demanding for time outside of the "regular" course-schedule for outside events. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There were many field experiences available in the education program, however there were some things that just couldn't be organized for experience hands-on. Elementary education majors worked in the campus preschool/daycare, taught at and observed at local schools, and visited specialty schools that were further away on occasion. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | Because it was a small school, there were not many options for night, weekend, online, or summer classes. The school was pretty good about transfer credits and were flexible in meeting student needs with independent study courses. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Though it was a smaller school, resources were very abundant. Professors were always available for office hours and were very willing to meet with students. The library and media center met student needs and the staff was helpful. Free tutors were available upon request. Study groups had to be self-organized, but it was easy enough to find a group. |
| Social Life | 5 | School spirit was kind of lacking, but organized social events were plentiful. Often open events were planned for students in the campus center. There were many parties that were somewhat hidden given the smaller student population. |
| Placement Services | 7 | The professors were really helpful in suggesting where to find open positions and also helped in practice for the interview process. Career services were also available to students and were able to provide many resources. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | I've only been out for one-year, but the college is still in contact with students. First-year teachers are asked to present to current education students and grads are invited to frequent alumni events. |
University Of Wisconsin - Eau Claire • Eau Claire, WI
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2005)
• 6/28/2011
"Even though I don't have great job security at this time, I know I will in the future. I wouldn't trade my years at college for anything, as I met some amazing people and made unforgettable memories."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would absolutely recommend the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire to others looking into elementary education. They have a wonderful program for it and you'll get an awesome social experience at the same time. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | The University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is known for its elementary education program. Many people choose this school based solely on that fact, without even visiting or learning too much more about the school. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I think the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire prepared me very well to do what I do. There was plenty of bookwork, in-classroom experience, and real-life situations. |
| Instruction | 9 | Of course, I preferred some professors over others, but for the most part, they were great. There were one or two whom I had trouble imagining them ever exuding a positive attitude around small children. |
| How Difficult | 8 | There was a good amount of homework and reading to do for my education. However, compared to some of my other friends and their majors (i.e. nursing), my workload seemed light. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I think the mix between hands-on learning vs. book learning was perfect. Students had the opportunity to go into the classrooms once they had completed all other requirements. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Because the school is known for its elementary education program, it's often difficult to get the ideal schedule. However, because they offer winter classes, summer options, and online classes, I was able to get all of my required classes completed. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | I would say the academic facilities and resources at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire are pretty close to perfect. I rated it a 9 only because I can't be certain that I even took advantage of all that was available to me. |
| Social Life | 10 | My college experience was one of the greatest times of my life. I look back with fond memories of football games, parties, Homecoming, and living somewhat carefree for that time of my life. |
| Placement Services | 8 | I am not certain of any actual statistics on job placement. However, there are several other friends of mine who I graduated with that are just as uncertain in their career next year as I am. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | The alumni network at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire seems to be pretty strong. I receive monthly emails, newsletters, and the occasional phone call to keep me updated on events and happenings in the area. |
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh • Oshkosh, WI
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2008)
• 6/29/2011
"I feel that I got the most out of my education. I could have gotten less, but I applied myself."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It's a really great school. Not too small, not too big. The elementary program is pretty good. I'd recommend it. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Oshkosh is more known for its nursing program. Not to say the elementary education program is not good. |
| Program Quality | 7 | Overall, the program was good. I just felt I could have gotten more out of it in the beginning. |
| Instruction | 8 | The staff was excellent. They had a passion for what they were doing and they instilled that passion in me. |
| How Difficult | 3 | I didn't find it particularly hard. In fact, it was pretty easy. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There was a decent mix. It really depended on the professors. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | I never had any problems with scheduling. I always had a good schedule that fit everything in very nicely. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The library was the worst. The hours weren't very good - it wasn't open 24/7. |
| Social Life | 10 | I loved the college atmosphere. Intramural sports were a blast. |
| Placement Services | 7 | It was fairly easy to find a job right after graduating. Career services was helpful. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I'm not very involved with the alumni network. There isn't much of one to begin with. |
Concordia University • Mequon, WI
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2000)
• 6/28/2011
"So much so, I returned there to get my Master's degree."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Concordia is a well respected university. The academic programs and teacher-student relationships are fantastic, and there are many types of scholarship available. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | I have been told we are one of the top schools in the state for education. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Concordia was fantastic. I was able to have a personal relationship with my teachers that I knew had my best interest in mind. They spent time on useful innovative lessons, projects, and activities that were relevant to the classroom. I still use many of those initial strategies today after ten years; they integrated well with the new ideas I've learned. |
| Instruction | 9 | The professors held us to a higher standard of learning. This was due to the small class sizes. The small class size caused the professor to notice immediately if you were struggling or falling behind in class. You weren't a number that could just slide by unnoticed. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The work was challenging and useful. The one-on-one attention we had with the professors allowed us to reach higher levels of achievement. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I was a science education major so I had lab on a regular basis. During the education classes, field work was expected as well as cohesive lesson planning and simulation of teaching activities. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | Classes are available in many different time sessions, over three week winter sessions, online, and during the summer. I've taken classes during all the sessions. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Students have the entire library available online and books can be ordered from other libraries. The online resources provide credible sources for research. |
| Social Life | 9 | I never had much athletic school spirit for any school I attended in my life (only because I'm not into sports), but I always had school spirit. I will talk up my school to anyone who asks. I am a strong supporter of its goal to educate Christian workers, no matter the field. |
| Placement Services | 10 | I was hired for my first job before I graduated. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | I receive e-mails, facebook updates, invites, and newsletters daily, weekly, and monthly. |
University Of Wisconsin-River Falls • River Falls, WI
Studying Art Education (Bachelor's) And Reading Specialist (Master's) (completion in 1992)
• 7/7/2011
"Having begun my academic career at a much larger institution and becoming overwhelmed at the impersonal, demanding atmosphere, I was thoroughly impressed when I transferred to UW-River Falls. From the people I met at registration up until I graduated, I felt valued, nurtured, and part of an academic community in which everyone played a vital role. I truly hated to leave and still recommend it to students who are planning to advance their education beyond the high school level."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Please see my previous response. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | It is not easy to be skilled in both doing and teaching. UW-River Falls continues to draw some of the finest artists/instructors to its campus. They continue to challenge students with a "natural" ability, while encouraging and supporting the efforts of those who must Learn to be good artists. The philosophy is that everyone is an artist and they provide every opportunity to allow their students to grow and build confidence. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The small campus allowed for plenty of one-to-one interaction with instructors and the ability to develop a more personal relationship with staff and other students. Staff took great interest in each student as an individual and were invested in our success. |
| Instruction | 10 | Both the undergraduate and graduate studies involved new, up-to-the minute experiences, such as online teaching, test taking, and the introduction of graphic arts and the controversy surrounding it as a viable art medium. In reading, great emphasis was placed on the needs of a new type of student profile - those diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome and others known as "crack babies", with the unique challenges accompanying these diagnoses. |
| How Difficult | 7 | Before we were introduced to any teaching techniques, we were required to complete a curriculum of broad area art, which involved practical experience in a wide range of media and techniques, such as hot and cold glass, acrylic and oil painting, fiber arts, pottery, graphic arts and art history. The area of Reading Specialist involved a great deal of theory classes and measurement/testing and statistics classes which I found sometimes boring, sometimes challenging. Overall, I was pushed outside my comfort zone on more than one occasion, which helped me to grow as a person and an instructor. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | From studio work to Art Museum tours, field experiences to student teaching, there was always a good combination of theory (i.e. book learning) and practical application. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | At the time there was little flexibility in terms of evening or weekend classes. Summer classes were very limited and online classes had not yet been introduced, as this was a relatively new teaching tool. Studios were open 24/7, however, so we could work on our projects as our schedules allowed. The graduate studies courses were geared more to working adults and classes were usually held in the evenings and on Saturdays. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | As I mentioned before, the small campus allowed for great access to professors, the studios were open 24/7, my academic advisor was very supportive, and the library was (and is) phenomenal. |
| Social Life | 7 | Since I was an older adult student, I did not participate much in social activities. I was very active in the Minority Student Affairs, serving on the Native American Council for three years, participated in the Multicultural Day activities, and was published in the annual arts magazine. |
| Placement Services | 4 | The final phase of our learning process had to do with drafting resumes, cover letters, and preparing for the work world. The career services primarily provided statewide job listings and would send our credentials to potential employers. Unlike our academic career, I felt there was not as much emphasis placed on securing job placement. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | Since I am not very interested in networking in this way (I was a non-traditional, older student), I find reading the Alumni magazine once a year sufficient to keep me current with my professors and any changes within the departments. |
University Of Wisconsin Platteville • Platteville, WI
Studying B-11 (completion in 2013)
• 7/14/2011
"Pretty good school. Never had too many problems with it."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | This school is amazing and if you get the right professors, then you are in luck. I would recommend it to anybody. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Platteville is known for engineering. Their education program is second best, though. |
| Program Quality | 10 | They make sure you are ready to go out into the education field. You will be prepared when you graduate from this school. |
| Instruction | 10 | I learned a lot from studying hard at this school. My education teachers made sure that I was ready before moving me on. |
| How Difficult | 5 | It is like any college: you have to work for what you earn. The work load got hectic, but I made it. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I received a variety of each. Some professors don't care and want you to do everything on your own without helping you, and there are others who want you to succeed as best as you can! | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | Classes are always hard to schedule at any college. You have to take the classes that are available at the time and wait for the others to open up. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Excellent! There are many resources for students of any major! The library offers wonderful for research opportunities! |
| Social Life | 8 | Athletics are amazing, they really help a person open up. If you join a group, you are always welcome. |
| Placement Services | 5 | They will help anybody get a job. If you like the place where you student teach, then you have a good chance of being placed in that school if there is an opening. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I never really met with alumni. But the support of those around me were great. |
University Of Wisconsin • Stevens Point, WI
Studying Elementary Education (completion in 2007)
• 10/2/2011
"I loved my school and feel I got an amazing education. I also met life-long friends through that school. I would have just wished for a bit more guidance in career placement."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I feel that anyone interested in becoming a teacher would get an amazing education here. There are also so many more opportunities to get into actual classrooms than I think are available at most universities. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I chose the School of Education because it's is very highly recommended. The education program is one of the largest at the school. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I had a lot of field training and feel very prepared to be a teacher. I wish they could have done more to get us out into the field after college. |
| Instruction | 8 | Most professors were very knowledgeable and helpful. I feel like some were a little hands-off in the teaching. |
| How Difficult | 7 | Maybe it was because teaching was natural to me, but I feel like it was extremely easy to pass with A's. But I feel like I did learn a lot and had to put a lot of effort forth. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The education program was very hands-on and focused on peer teaching. One or two classes used a book to teach, but most were practicing with peers and in elementary classrooms. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | There were a few classes that were only available at specific times. Most of the classes (100 and 200 levels) had several teachers with several different meeting times. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Tutors and study groups were always very plentiful. We had very up-to-date technology in the classrooms and in the computer labs. Teachers were very flexible about office hours. |
| Social Life | 8 | I always had opportunities to meet people and to get out to campus activities. Activities were organized in the dorms and on the rest of campus. |
| Placement Services | 3 | They helped a little bit with some papers before we graduated. After we graduated I've received no additional information. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I get a newspaper once in a while. I haven't heard from them in any other aspect for support or follow-up. |
Cardinal Stritch University • Milwaukee, WI
Studying Educational Leadership (Administration) (completion in 2010)
• 10/9/2011
"I feel I received a good education. I wish it was not as expensive as it was. I don't know where the costs even went."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I feel that I am very prepared. I feel that I am qualified to be in the classroom and to be a principal. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | They came up when I searched and many people from my district have degrees from Stritch. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I chose leadership so I could have the opportunity to move into a different position if I ever wanted to. I went to a university that was expensive and required many late nights of writing papers. I'm in debt. I've always wondered if I would be better off if I went to a different school. |
| Instruction | 10 | My early childhood program did a great job of preparing me for the classroom. Nothing is as good as being in a classroom with your own kids. The master's in administration gave me more of an understanding of the behind the scenes aspect of teaching. It also gave me more off a systems view of education that has made me a better teacher. |
| How Difficult | 8 | I passed with very good grades and if I did not put off the majority of my projects and big assignments, it would have been much easier. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The program was a good mix. There were many interviews and trails that did a good job giving me hands on learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | There was a class every Monday night for 2 years. I had to meet for 4 hours with my group once a week for the 2 years. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The facilities were clean and modern. The rooms were outfitted with devices like LCD's and document cameras. |
| Social Life | 8 | I enjoyed the people I got to know in my program. I went to anything that was planned outside of class as a social gathering. |
| Placement Services | 5 | The career services department has never contacted me or offered to aid me in job hunts. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | I receive phone calls, emails, newsletters, and a magazine that keep me up to date. |
Online Course Finder
Find the path to your
education in 3 easy steps.