Most Affordable Online Elementary Education Degrees

This ranking provides a good foundation in teaching theory, as well as the practical experience to begin a career with confidence.

Updated on January 31, 2023

Any long-term teacher can tell you that the teaching profession has changed dramatically in recent decades.

But the commitment of teachers to provide a solid education to all children – regardless of their background – remains one of the bedrocks of American society.

For those wanting to enter the profession, a bachelor's degree in education is an excellent way to go. The degree provides a good foundation in teaching theory, as well as the practical experience to begin a career with confidence. And there are such amazing online programs out there making a high quality education possible for the working adult!

What kind of online Elementary Education degree should you get?

College Choice is here to help you sort through your options. This ranking is based on several factors that reflect academic excellence and return on investment. Starting with standard academic reputation rankings, we then weigh factors like program tuition, early career earnings, and school acceptance rates.

Importantly, all the schools on our list are regionally accredited, and most programs have additional accreditation from the main educational accrediting bodies: CAEP, TEAC, NCATE. Basically, you can't go wrong!

Of course, post-secondary education is notoriously expensive, and not everyone can leave their home and job to attend university in a full-time, campus setting. In the last decade, online degrees have filled this gap, offering a respectable, affordable option for non-traditional students. Check out this resource for more.

How much do people make with an online Elementary Education degree?

While nobody goes into the field of education to make their first million, teaching continues to be a profession that provides stimulating, challenging, steady work for thousands of people across the country.

You won't get rich as a teacher, but the median salary is a respectable $55,000 – and those with advanced degrees or who remain in the profession have the potential to earn more (click herefor source).

And the job outlook for those entering the teaching profession continues to look good. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the demand will be high for both public and private school teachers throughout the next decade – with employment of kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers expected to grow by 6 percent between 2014 and 2024.

What are the requirements for an online Elementary Education degree?

Other than getting through your coursework, here are a few other things to be aware of:

  • Online teaching programs often have face-to-face or practicum requirements which may necessitate travel.

  • If you are applying to a teaching program outside of your home state, make sure to look into state certification reciprocity agreements.

  • The listed tuition is based on the out-of-state, per-credit tuition taken from program websites – be sure to look into extra fees, which vary widely.

When it comes down to it, the biggest requirement is for you to be an advocate for your own education! Read the fine print; go the extra mile; become the best teacher you can be!

What are the best online Elementary Education degrees?

College Choice's ranking of the 30 best online Elementary Education degrees is designed to provide potential students a breakdown of the top schools at the nexus of quality education and return on investment. This ranking is based on several key metrics including academic reputation, overall tuition, financial aid offerings, and early career salaries for graduates. Our data was derived from publicly available sources including U.S. News & World Report, the National Center for Education Statistics, and PayScale.com.

Rankings

See our rankings methodology page.

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