2023 Most Affordable Online Elementary Education Degrees
An online bachelor’s in elementary education is designed for aspiring students and early-career teachers who want to further their knowledge and skills in educational psychology, teaching foundations, and classroom management. To graduate, a student must complete a research project, seminars, and supervised student teaching.
Elementary education degrees can be either licensed or non-licensed. A licensure program means that program can help students prepare for the exam to receive a teaching license. A non-licensure program will cover teaching methods but will not make students eligible for the licensing exam.
View our methodology for details about rankings or learn more about us. You can also check out our overall list of the most affordable online degrees for more inspiration.
| Rank | School | Locations | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus (GA) | $5,249 | |
| University of the Cumberlands | Williamsburg (KY) | $5,970 | |
| Fort Hays State University | Hays (KS) | $6,806 | |
| Lees-McRae College | Banner Elk (NC) | $6,825 | |
| Wichita State University | Wichita (KS) | $6,843 | |
| Athens State University | Athens (AL) | $6,975 | |
| Southern Utah University | Cedar City (UT) | $7,200 | |
| Western Governors University | Salt Lake City (UT) | $7,250 | |
| God's Bible School and College | Cincinnati (OH) | $7,500 | |
| Hobe Sound Bible College | Hobe Sound (FL) | $7,756 |
Georgia Southwestern State University Americus (GA) Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) is a public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education totaling 122 credit hours. This program can take four years to complete. GSW’s acceptance rate is 73%, with a 44% graduation rate. At GSW, online students complete coursework on GeorgiaVIEW. This program's curriculum is designed for students who aspire to teach elementary education. Sample coursework includes Math Methods, Literature for Children, and Lifetime Fitness. Students must participate in student teaching in order to graduate. Alumni of the program may pursue careers like elementary school teachers, special education teachers, and consulting educators.
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University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg (KY) The University of the Cumberlands is a private, nonprofit, Christian institution offering a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, which totals 120 credit hours. This online program offers four concentrations: (1) Interdisciplinary Studies, (2) English/Communications, (3) Social and Behavioral Studies, and (4) Special Education. Full-time students can expect to spend four years completing this program. The university accepts 81% of applicants, with 60% graduating. Cumberlands facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via iLearn. This software program provides the foundational knowledge students need to pursue teaching careers. Some of the program’s courses are Basic Concepts Concerning Education, Effective Teaching Practices, and Human Diversity. Students are also required to participate in supervised student teaching sessions. Some potential job opportunities for graduates include art teachers, elementary school teachers, and preschool teachers.
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Fort Hays State University Hays (KS) At Fort Hays State University (FHSU), a public institution, prospective students can pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, requiring 127 credit hours. This program can take four years to complete with a full-time schedule. The university has a 91% acceptance rate, with a graduation rate of 57%. FHSU’s online students complete coursework, which is delivered asynchronously and synchronously, through the learning platform, Blackboard. An elementary education curriculum covers teaching skills, diversity, and human development issues to help aspiring teachers thrive in their future careers. Sample courses are Foundations of Education, Educating Exceptional Students, and Diverse Learners. In addition, students must complete an internship, methods courses, and supervised student teaching. Prospective careers for this degree are camp director, curriculum developer, and child care center administrator.
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Lees-McRae College Banner Elk (NC) Lees-McRae College (LMC) is a private, nonprofit, and Presbyterian-affiliated institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education totaling 61 credit hours. Full-time students can expect to spend two years completing this program. LMC’s acceptance rate is 73%, and 54% is its graduation rate. At LMC, online students complete coursework on the learning management system (LMS), Sakai. This program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in a teaching career, with core courses such as Educational Psychology, Literature for Children, and Assessment of Student Learning. Students must also complete 150 hours of student teaching and a senior research project to obtain their degree. Potential career opportunities for graduates are elementary school teachers, teacher assistants, and program coordinators.
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Wichita State University Wichita (KS) Wichita State University (Wichita) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education that requires 120 credit hours. This online degree can take students four years to complete. Wichita accepts 80% of applicants, with 50% of students graduating. Wichita facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through the LMS Blackboard. This program’s curriculum prepares students to sit for a teaching license, from early childhood to 6th grade. Some core courses are Universal Design for Learning, Classroom Management and Pedagogy, and Learning and Educational Assessment — but students must also complete an internship, field experience, and a teacher license capstone. After graduating, potential job opportunities are education consultants, special education teachers, and instructional coordinators.
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Athens State University Athens (AL) At Athens State University (Athens), a public institution, future students can pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Education - Elementary Education, requiring 124 credit hours. This program can take four years to complete. At Athens, 59% of students graduate with a degree. Athens facilities asynchronous and synchronous online learning through Blackboard. An elementary education program online gives students the knowledge and skills for careers in educational settings. Sample coursework includes Introduction to Teaching, Foundations of Education, and Survey of Exceptional Learners. Teaching practicums and training — alongside a seminar course — are also required for graduation. Some careers that graduates are eligible to pursue include career counselors, writers, and kindergarten or elementary school teachers.
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Southern Utah University Cedar City (UT) Southern Utah University (SUU) is a public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science or Arts in Elementary University totaling 120-123 credit hours. Full-time students can expect to spend four years completing the program. SUU’s acceptance rate is 76%, with a graduation rate of 53%. SUU students complete coursework remotely through the LMS Canvas. Courses are delivered asynchronously and synchronously, depending on the instructors. This program prepares aspiring teachers or non-licensed teachers to sit for a teaching license exam. Some of the program’s online classes are Foundations of Elementary Literacy Instruction, Educational Psychology, and Educating Exceptional Students. Students must also finish a student teaching practicum. Graduates may pursue careers like elementary school teachers, program coordinators, and teacher assistants.
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Western Governors University Salt Lake City (UT) Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, nonprofit institution offering two online bachelor’s programs in elementary education: (1) a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (40 major credit hours) and (2) a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies - Elementary Education, a non-licensure program (credit hours vary). It can take up to 30 months to complete either of these programs. The university accepts all applicants, and it has a 54% graduation rate. WGU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous distance learning via Blackboard. The elementary education program delivers a robust curriculum that helps students become qualified teachers. Sample coursework includes Elementary Science Methods, Children’s Literature, and Educational Foundations. Future career opportunities for graduates are elementary school teachers, special education teachers, and school librarians.
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God's Bible School and College Cincinnati (OH) God’s Bible School and College (GBS) is a nondenominational, private, nonprofit institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Teacher Education - Elementary Education. Requiring 135-141 credit hours, this degree takes at least four years for full-time students to graduate. GBS’s acceptance rate is 81%, and it has a 43% graduation rate. At GBS, students complete coursework synchronously on Buzz. This LMS provides a non-licensure curriculum for aspiring teachers. Bible Methods in Elementary School, Child Development, and Educational Psychology are some of the program's course requirements. To graduate, students must also take Bible and Theology classes, including a seminar. Potential career opportunities include a Sunday school teacher, an overseas secondary English teacher, and a Christian school teacher.
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Hobe Sound Bible College Hobe Sound (FL) Hobe Sound Bible College (HSBC) is a private, nonprofit, Wesleyan-Arminian institution that offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education totaling 129 credit hours. It can take four years to complete this program if students maintain a full-time schedule. The college accepts 100% of applicants, but only 48% of enrolled students graduate with their degrees. HSBC facilitates online learning through Remote-Learner, an LMS that delivers a Christ-centered and Bible-based curriculum on teaching methods. Some of the program’s courses are Foundations of Education, Teaching Bible, and Intro to Special Education. Students are additionally required to take supervised student teaching and teaching practicums. Graduates may pursue careers like preschool teachers, Sunday school teachers, and elementary school teachers.
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Overview of Online Elementary Education Bachelor’s Degrees
An online bachelor's degree in elementary education provides the skills to teach children from kindergarten to fifth grade. Coursework involves curriculum planning, instructional methodologies, and learning assessment tools while requiring practical teaching experience in real-world classrooms. Many programs are designed to meet the criteria of state teacher licenses, allowing students to pursue teaching careers by obtaining credentials upon graduation. Concentrations may be available in pre-K teaching or special education.
Many schools require a certain amount of college education credits to pursue an elementary education bachelor's degree. Once enrolled, full-time students typically take four years to complete the approximately 120 credits needed to graduate. Fortunately, an online elementary education degree allows students to take coursework on flexible schedules.
Common Courses
The required coursework for an elementary education major involves disciplines ranging from a child's psychology to practical instruction methods. Students must understand the biological development of the children that will make up their classrooms just as much as the subjects they plan to teach. Each course is designed for students to learn how to become teachers. Below are examples of three common courses found in elementary education degrees:
Physical, Emotional, and Social Development
This course explores adolescent development using the latest theories and research. Students learn to engage with young learners by forging relationships and creating positive teaching experiences. The importance of classroom culture and diversity is also discussed.
Instruction Design and Planning
An instruction design and planning course requires students to use their understanding of social, physical, and emotional development to build curriculums that engage young learners. They learn to create educational materials, design courses and exams, collect student feedback, and utilize research to develop the most effective teaching strategies.
Connecting Research to Practice
This course bridges the gap between theory and practice. Students learn to shift their perspective by applying their knowledge to an actual classroom setting. The latest instructional technologies and tools are also explored. During this time, students may begin to prepare for their teaching practicums.
Funding an Online Elementary Education Degree
Earning a teaching degree online is still expensive. The Education Data Initiative reports the average cost of tuition for first-year, full-time students is $36,400 per year. Due to these high costs, most students search for ways to fund their degree through private loans, scholarships, federal aid, or grants.
However, some options, such as loans and federal aid, require students to repay that money with interest. Student debt is problematic for many reasons, not to mention that many educators are forced to pay for school supplies out-of-pocket. According to the National Education Association, 90% of professional teachers spend their own money on teaching supplies.
For all the reasons listed above, students need to find ways to save money in college to limit their debt. This can be done by living at home instead of on campus and creating budgets to track expenses. Fortunately, an affordable online elementary education degree is usually flexible and allows part-time students to work while they earn their degrees. Typical part-time jobs for aspiring elementary teachers include teacher assistants, childcare workers, or after-school instructors.
Financial Aid
Even the most affordable online education degrees are still costly, leaving many students no choice but to seek financial assistance. The best way to do this is through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which allows schools to determine students' eligibility for loans and grants.
Loans are offered based on the student's personal and family income and must be paid back with interest. Grants are also based on financial need but generally do not have to be paid back. The Department of Education's TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 to eligible students enrolled in a teaching degree.
Scholarships are given to students without being paid back, but academically gifted students compete with their peers to earn scholarship money. Because receiving scholarships isn't guaranteed, it's recommended that students apply to several to increase their chances of receiving aid. Students should check with their schools to see what local scholarships are available.
What Can You Do With an Online Elementary Education Degree?
Elementary education bachelor's degrees are specifically designed to prepare graduates to work in the classroom. Therefore, graduates are most likely to become professional teachers in kindergarten through fifth grade. Teaching is a very demanding, albeit gratifying, role. It requires a strong discipline both inside and outside of the classroom.
Some students may enjoy researching education rather than practicing it. In this case, a master's in elementary education is an ideal next step after a bachelor's degree. Students can more deeply explore teaching through education research and assessments while gaining leadership skills. Alternatively, post-graduate education certificates are available in specialized areas such as literacy instruction, autism, or school administration.
Below are three typical jobs for elementary education graduates to pursue:
Kindergarten Teachers
Kindergarten teachers work in public or private schools, providing instruction for basic subjects such as math, reading, and science. They develop lesson plans, grade assignments, and create an environment suitable for social and academic development in young students. They also evaluate student behaviors and academic skills before passing their evaluations on to parents.
Special Education Teachers
Special education teachers are responsible for most of the same tasks as traditional school teachers. But, they must design their curriculums for students with special needs. Their students have learning disabilities that require specialized tools and technologies, such as text-to-speech software, braille textbooks, and reward systems. They often work in classrooms with only a few students or even in one-on-one scenarios.
Interpreters and Translators
Classroom interpreters work closely with teachers to facilitate instruction to students with low vision and those who are hard of hearing. Translators have the same responsibilities but for non-English speaking students. Both roles are tasked with converting materials and speech to be understood by their students. They hold a high level of professional conduct and are trained in etiquette, allowing their students to engage in lesson plans according to their needs.
If you are interested in elementary education but curious to explore specific niches in the field of teaching, check out the best online educational leadership degrees or the best special education bachelor's programs.
FAQs About Online Elementary Education Degrees
How Do I Choose a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education?
The best way to choose a bachelor's in elementary education is based on affordability. Given the rise of student debt and less-than-ideal teacher salaries, students may want to find affordable online degrees that still provide a quality education. It's also essential to ensure the program is from an accredited online school vetted by a third-party education agency.
How Many Years Is an Elementary Education Degree?
Bachelor's degrees in elementary education take full-time students approximately four years to complete. This usually includes 120 college credits and teaching practicums. Students who have already completed education credits through associate degrees, or associate degrees in education, may be able to graduate in as little as two years.
Can You Get an Elementary Education Degree Online?
Coursework for elementary education degrees can be completed entirely online. The practical teaching requirements, however, must be completed in person at a local school. Online, out-of-state students should check with their schools to be sure they can meet program requirements while pursuing their teaching license in another state.
Is an Elementary Education Degree Worth It?
Earning an elementary education degree is a surefire way to becoming a professional teacher. Students can engage in the latest education research while developing new ways of interacting with young learners. They also gain experience through internships during their programs, allowing for first-hand looks at daily life inside elementary classrooms.
Specializations in physical education, special education, or English as a Second Language (ESL) allow students to prepare for roles that align with their passions or career opportunities in their state. Salaries are suitable for living comfortably in some areas of the country while falling short in many major cities. Although fewer students pursuing education majors have led to teacher shortages, educating young students is often a fulfilling career for those who have a passion for it.
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By OnlineU Staff Writers | 6/14/2023