Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Education 2024
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2024We have gathered the best colleges rated on accessibility, affordability, online programs, resources, and more. Ready to find your career in education all from home? Start with our top schools that will provide you with the best online bachelor’s degrees in education.
Education careers are critical in 2024. The country is facing a teacher shortage. From February to May 2020, the country lost about 730,000 public education jobs and has not recovered since. Some states may even pay you for student teaching if you decide to pursue certification. Keep reading to learn more about the best online bachelor’s degrees.
Featured Online Education Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Why University of Florida Ranks No. 1 This Year
Our number one spot goes to the University of Florida. UF offers two education majors: early education, designed for students seeking teaching certification in Pre-K through third grade, and education sciences for non-certification-seeking students.
Of our top schools to attend, UF will cost you the least. While our other schools’ net prices hover around $17,000 to $18,000, UF lands at only $3,679 and grants 94% of students some financial aid. The only downside is that UF is the pickiest of our top picks, with the lowest admission rate of 30%.
If you live near UF, you can also opt into the “Optional Fee Package” to gain access to all UF on-campus services as an in-person student.
UF will also help you succeed through career service appointments and CHOMP, the appropriately gator-named “Career Planning for Major Planning,” to learn about your interests and career goals.
Top Online Bachelor’s in Education Programs of 2024
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,477
- Out-of-state$25,694
- In-State$10,770
- Out-of-state$27,335
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate30%
- Students Enrolled55,781
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
University of Missouri
- Columbia, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,074
- Out-of-state$30,441
- In-State$10,447
- Out-of-state$28,605
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled31,318
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
Texas Tech University
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,934
- Out-of-state$21,174
- In-State$6,956
- Out-of-state$15,136
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled40,378
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
Kansas State University
- Manhattan, KS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,632
- Out-of-state$25,944
- In-State$10,294
- Out-of-state$23,018
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled19,722
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Buena Vista University
- Storm Lake, IA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$37,518
- Out-of-state$37,518
- In-State$9,936
- Out-of-state$9,936
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled1,290
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
University of Maine
- Orono, ME
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,640
- Out-of-state$33,240
- In-State$9,738
- Out-of-state$29,214
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled11,571
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
More Bachelor’s in Education Programs
The University of Missouri and Texas Tech University take the number two and three spots, respectively. One factor keeping them from the top spot is the jump in net prices — both institutions cost around $17,000 in annual net fees.
Missouri Online prides itself on flexibility and adjusting your program to meet your schedule, not the other way around. Unlike UF, Missouri Online has a high admission rate of 79% and an admirable graduation rate of 75%.
If you’re looking for a teaching certification in Texas, Texas Tech may be for you. The online BS in education offers TeachTeach Across Texas. This one-year fast-track teacher preparation program combines in-person clinical experience with online courses in certain areas of the state. Texas Tech’s admission rate is 67%, and its graduation rate is similar at 64%.
Is an Education Degree Worth It?
A degree in education can open the door to teaching opportunities at K-12 schools nationwide. However, teaching isn’t your only option. Students with education degrees can work in fields like education administration, nonprofit management, and higher education positions like professorship.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, high school teachers made a median salary of $65,220 per year as of May 2023. Before you consider a degree in education, see how much you may make compared to the amount you’ll pay for your education.
Online education programs tend to be cheaper than in-person ones since you’re not paying for transportation, campus services, fees, food, and on-campus room and board. The average tuition cost of an online bachelor’s in education program is $9,594 per year. In contrast, an in-person program will cost you about $13,109.
What to Consider Before Choosing an Education Program
Before choosing an education program, see what matches your schedule. Online programs can be more or less demanding of your schedule. Some are synchronous, which often require attending lectures at certain times. Others are asynchronous, which gives you lectures to watch or other course materials and work to do within a certain period.
An online program may allow you to take classes and do coursework independently. If a program gives you flexibility, you could speed through your education faster than the typical four years it takes or chip at it over a longer period.
Just because your program is online doesn’t always mean it won’t have any in-person components. One of the most common in-person requirements for education majors is student-teaching hours at a local school.
If you’re considering teaching, see where your program is based and if the program connects you with student-teaching opportunities at local schools. Different states have different requirements for student teaching and teaching licensure.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed June 19, 2024.
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