What can you do with a Elementary Education degree from University of Northern Iowa?

First, some facts. Of the Elementary Education graduates from University of Northern Iowa we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 77%, Elementary Education graduates from University of Northern Iowa have a higher likelihood (+10%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 77%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 33% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Elementary Education graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Elementary Education graduate from University of Northern Iowa and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2010 from University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
3rd Grade Teacher
Bettendorf Community School District
Aug 2012 - Aug 2020
As a 3rd Grade Teacher, the role directly utilizes the skills and knowledge acquired from a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, including curriculum development and instructional strategies.

2nd Grade Elementary School Teacher
Shawnee Mission School District
Aug 2020 - Present
The position of 2nd Grade Elementary School Teacher also requires the application of expertise gained through the Bachelor's in Elementary Education, focusing on teaching methodologies and student engagement.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Masters Degree, General, K-12
St. Ambrose University
2014 - 2016
ABOUT

I am a passionate, creative and talented educator desiring a principal position in which I can improve student achievement and community with staff, students and parents using my exceptional leadership roles.

What jobs can you get with a Elementary Education degree from University of Northern Iowa?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When you look at the jobs held by graduates of the Elementary Education program at the University of Northern Iowa, it's clear that many have found their place in the classroom. Most of them are working as elementary school teachers, and that makes total sense. These roles utilize the training and skills they gained in their degree, like creating lesson plans, engaging with kids, and managing a classroom. For example, a lot of them are 2nd and 3rd-grade teachers, which directly connects to what they'd learned in school, showing how well their education prepared them for these positions.

However, there's a noticeable split for some grads who have veered away from teaching altogether. A handful ended up in roles like administrative positions, sales, or even as a ski shop technician, which don't really relate to their education focus. It’s a bummer for those who might have expected their degree to lead them straight into a teaching role. So, while many graduates are thriving in education-related jobs, others have found their degrees didn’t necessarily limit them to the classroom, leading to more diverse career paths that aren't always tied to elementary education. Overall, it’s a mixed bag, with a solid core of graduates still committed to teaching, but also some who are exploring completely different fields.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Elementary Education graduates (this is across all Elementary Education graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Northern Iowa):

What kind of career trajectories do Elementary Education graduates from University of Northern Iowa have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Elementary Education, it seems like most of them kick off their careers in the education field right after graduation. Many of the individuals listed started their careers as classroom teachers. For example, graduates who finished their degrees in 2010 and 2013 both landed teaching positions shortly after graduating, and they stuck with it for several years before moving into roles like instructional coach or even principal. This pattern suggests that it’s pretty common for new grads to jump right into teaching roles, which is a great way to kick off a meaningful career in education.

However, as we look at the 5 to 10-year mark, the stories start to vary. While some have continued to advance in educational roles, like moving into administration or coaching positions, others have veered off the traditional path. A couple of graduates ended up in non-educational roles like recruiting, sales, and administrative positions, which might indicate that not everyone stays in the field. Some have found success in related areas, like special education or after-school programs, while others took routes that seem pretty far from the classroom. So, in a nutshell, while many have built solid careers in education, a fair number of graduates also drifted into other fields, which shows a mixed bag of career outcomes for those embarking on a journey in elementary education.

How hard is a Elementary Education degree from University of Northern Iowa?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education can be pretty challenging, but it’s manageable if you’re dedicated and love working with kids. At the University of Northern Iowa specifically, you’ll juggle classroom learning with hands-on field experiences, which can be demanding but also really rewarding. You’ll dive into subjects like child psychology, curriculum design, and teaching methods, plus there’s likely a lot of group projects and presentations, which some people find tougher than exams! While it's not necessarily a walk in the park, especially with the demands of teaching practice, if you're passionate about it, you’ll probably find the journey to be a pretty fulfilling one. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but it’s definitely doable if you stay focused!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education.

Do Elementary Education graduates from University of Northern Iowa tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these graduates from the University of Northern Iowa, it seems like they’ve generally landed in pretty decent positions, especially those who went into teaching and administrative roles. The first few graduates, who spent years in classrooms and have climbed the ladder to roles like principal, probably make a solid salary, especially with experience in their field. Teaching jobs, particularly in certain districts, can pay well, and administrative positions often come with even higher pay. On the flip side, some graduates have taken on roles that seem more entry-level or part-time, which might not be the best for making bank. Ultimately, it looks like the more experienced teachers and administrators are likely doing alright financially, while those in more casual or part-time jobs might not be pulling in as much cash. So, yeah, it’s a mixed bag!

What buzzwords do Elementary Education graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education (this is across all Elementary Education graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Northern Iowa). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Elementary Education?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education (ordered by the average relevance score of their Elementary Education graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Northern Illinois University 95 13
University of Arizona 94 10
University of Iowa 93 14
Kansas State University 91 12
Michigan State University 89 30
Florida International University 89 14
Utah State University 89 10
Ball State University 88 14
Central Washington University 87 13
Western Governors University 84 44
Eastern Michigan University 84 14
Arizona State University 83 25
East Carolina University 83 26
Towson University 82 17
Indiana University Bloomington 80 15
Liberty University 80 16
Illinois State University 80 28
Appalachian State University 80 16
University of North Florida 80 13
Oklahoma State University 79 14
Penn State University 78 18
Brigham Young University - Idaho 78 13
Western Illinois University 78 11
University of Central Florida 77 41
Northern Arizona University 77 19
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 77 12
University of Northern Iowa 77 12
University of Florida 75 10
Utah Valley University 75 11
University of Northern Colorado 75 16
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 74 14
Florida Atlantic University 73 19
University of Mississippi 73 10
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 72 12
Grand Canyon University 71 20
Brigham Young University 70 17
Western Kentucky University 69 12
University of Phoenix 67 31
University of Missouri-Columbia 62 10