Teachers often refer to their profession as the hardest job that everyone thinks they can do.
But anyone who has taken on the role of teacher for any extended period of time is aware of the broad base of knowledge, the carefully honed skills, and the personal commitment that it takes to do the job well.
Working with young children is not an easy task, and teachers need all the tools at their disposal to do it well. So if you're beginning your search for a good online Master's in Elementary Education program, College Choice has you covered with our ranking of the 25 best programs. Then again, an online degree may work better!
There are several good reasons to get a Master's in Elementary Education. The teaching profession has changed dramatically in recent decades due to demographic and sociological changes – and for those wanting to move ahead in their profession (not to mention the pay scale), a Bachelor's degree is no longer sufficient.
But a Master's in Education does more than expand the possibilities for employment in teaching and administration. The U.S. Department of Education reports that high-quality teacher preparation can make a dramatic impact on student outcomes – even outweighing negative factors like poverty.
And teachers are aware of the significance of their job. In a survey of over 20,000 public school teachers, 98% agreed that teaching is more than a profession – it is how they make a difference in the world.
If you're ready to take the plunge into a Master's program but can't leave your home or work to do so, there are plenty of good online options available. Online programs are both convenient and often affordable while providing a path to employment that employers will recognize.
What are the best online master's in elementary education?
This College Choice ranking takes into account several factors that reflect both program quality and return on investment. Our composite score weighs standard academic reputation rankings, program tuition rates, early career earnings of graduates, and school acceptance rates.A couple important things to note:
The tuition rates we list are based on out-of-state, per-credit tuition taken from program websites. In-state tuition is often less expensive, but all would-be applicants should take note of any additional fees that are not included in the per-credit rate.
Accreditation is critical, and all the schools on our list are regionally accredited. Additionally, most programs are accredited by the main educational accrediting bodies: CAEP, TEAC, NCATE.
We hope our ranking helps you find the best Master's in Elementary Education program for you!
Rankings
See our rankings methodology page.
