Top Online Elementary Education Programs of 2025

If you love working with children, a bachelor’s in elementary education can kickstart your career. Discover the best elementary education programs here.
Evan Castillo
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Updated April 25, 2025
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There’s a national shortage of teachers, and if you’re interested in helping fill the gap, an online elementary education program might be right for you.

Online programs are great for prospective teachers — especially those without colleges nearby — because it allows you to take classes at home and do your student-teaching hours in a local school.

To qualify for a teaching license, you must complete student-teaching hours in person and, most times, a semester-long internship teaching. These top online elementary education programs provide all instruction 100% online while giving you the opportunity to gain real-world teaching experience.

Bachelor’s in Elementary Education Highlights

  • If you plan to become a teacher, you can apply for the TEACH Grant to get up to $4,000 a year for your education.
  • A national teacher shortage means there is nearly always a need for teachers.
  • Many colleges offer a 2-2.5 year bachelor’s degree program for students with at least an associate’s degree.

Source: BestColleges

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Top Online Elementary Education Programs of 2025

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
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How We Rank Schools

#1

University of Northern Iowa

  • Cedar Falls, IA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

The University of Northern Iowa's online BA in elementary education is a two-year program for transfer students who have at least an associate degree. It is made for working professionals seeking a teaching degree who want to change careers and must balance work, life, and school. While the entire program is delivered online, you'll still be required to complete in-school field experiences and student teaching.

Highlights

  • In 2022-2023, the university awarded 83% of students financial aid

Know Before You Apply

  • Graduation rate of 69%
  • Higher student-to-faculty ratio of 17-to-1
  • Must have an associate degree

44%

Online Enrollment

$ 8,396

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

84%

Retention Rate

$19,940

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
94%
Students Enrolled
9,021
Institution Type
Public
#2

University of South Carolina-Columbia

  • Columbia, SC
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

The University of South Carolina-Columbia's online elementary education program takes most full-time students 2.5-3 years to complete, including a year-long internship during the last year. To qualify for the program you have to have at least 30 credit hours from an accredited institution and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. You also don't have to worry about finding your in-person experience requirements alone — the Office of Clinical Experiences will set up your field and internship experiences for you.

Highlights

  • Overall graduation rate of 78%
  • 95% of students receive financial aid
  • 100% Praxis pass rate in 2021

Know Before You Apply

  • Larger student-to-faculty ratio of 18-to-1
  • Applicants must already have 30 credits

61%

Online Enrollment

$12,288

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

91%

Retention Rate

$34,534

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
61%
Students Enrolled
36,579
Institution Type
Public
#3

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

  • Charlotte, NC
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

UNC's Teacher Assistants (TA) to Teachers program is designed for teacher assistants with associate degrees who want to earn their bachelor's. In the program, you'll explore child development and school organization. You'll learn how to plan and deliver curriculum, educate a diverse student population, evaluate students' academic progress, and evaluate your teaching effectiveness. The program lasts two years.

Highlights

  • Graduation rate of 68%
  • 72% of students received financial aid in 2022-2023

Know Before You Apply

  • Larger student-to-faculty ratio of 21-to-1
  • Associate degree necessary to apply

56%

Online Enrollment

$ 3,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

84%

Retention Rate

$18,474

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
80%
Students Enrolled
30,298
Institution Type
Public
#4

Kansas State University

  • Manhattan, KS
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

Kansas State's elementary education BS program is the first school on our list that does not require any prior higher education to apply. The 120-credit program costs about $405 per credit hour and is available to anyone in any state, though more tests may be required to teach in non-Kansas states.

Highlights

  • 95% of students receive financial aid
  • Overall graduation rate of 70%
  • No associate degree or prior higher education required

Know Before You Apply

  • Larger student-to-faculty ratio of 18-to-1

49%

Online Enrollment

$ 9,964

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

87%

Retention Rate

$26,838

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
80%
Students Enrolled
19,745
Institution Type
Public
#5

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

  • Stillwater, OK
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

Oklahoma State University's bachelor's in elementary education does not require any prior higher education. It prepares you to teach first through eighth-grade students through the online platform Canvas. You'll be required to complete three in-person field experiences and one semester-long internship. Two of the experiences consist of 24 hours each in an elementary or middle school classroom while the other is 96 hours of field observation.

Highlights

  • 96% of students received financial aid in 2022-2023
  • No associate degree or prior higher education required

Know Before You Apply

  • Larger student-to-faculty ratio of 18-to-1
  • Overall graduation rate of 66%
  • In-person experiences required

53%

Online Enrollment

$ 5,417

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

84%

Retention Rate

$20,937

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
71%
Students Enrolled
26,008
Institution Type
Public
#6

Drexel University

  • Philadelphia, PA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

Drexel's bachelor of science in elementary education offers a general Pre-K through fourth-grade education and special education specialization. You can transfer up to 60 semester (90 quarter) credits, allowing you to complete the degree in as little as 2.5 years. Any applicants who come in with fewer than 24 credits are required to submit their high school transcripts and an essay. Tuition is $473 per credit, and in 2022-2023, the university awarded 99% of its undergraduates financial aid.

Highlights

  • Small student-to-faculty ratio of 9-to1
  • 99% of students receive financial aid
  • Overall graduation rate of 77%

Know Before You Apply

  • Students with fewer than 24 transfer credits have additional application requirements

42%

Online Enrollment

$56,595

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

90%

Retention Rate

$56,595

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
78%
Students Enrolled
21,573
Institution Type
Private
#7

University of North Carolina Wilmington

  • Wilmington, NC
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

The University of North Carolina Wilmington's BA in elementary education prepares you to teach kindergarten through sixth grade. The university's program is for students in the state's southeastern region. All instruction is online, but the school offers hands-on tutoring experiences for students and requires field experiences at partnership schools. Students will spend at least 500 hours in the classroom before graduation.

Highlights

  • Overall graduation rate of 77%

Know Before You Apply

  • Larger student-faculty ratio of 17-to-1
  • 72% of students received financial aid in 2022-2o23
  • Designed for Southeast North Carolina students

70%

Online Enrollment

$ 4,443

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

83%

Retention Rate

$19,063

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
69%
Students Enrolled
17,843
Institution Type
Public
#8

University of North Dakota

  • Grand Forks, ND
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

The University of North Dakota's bachelor's in elementary education preps you to teach first through eighth grade in the state and first through sixth in neighboring Minnesota. If you want to travel while gaining teacher experience, you can take your semester teacher placement anywhere in the country or abroad. You also have the chance to complete one of five minors: middle school education, special education, English language learner/bilingual education, literacy education, and early childhood education.

Highlights

  • 93% of students received financial aid in 2022-2023
  • Tuition and fees are $458 per credit

Know Before You Apply

  • Higher student-to-faculty ratio of 17-to-1
  • Overall graduation rate of 63%

68%

Online Enrollment

$ 9,237

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

83%

Retention Rate

$13,856

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
77%
Students Enrolled
14,172
Institution Type
Public
#9

Mississippi State University

  • Mississippi State, MS
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

Mississippi State University's BS in elementary education allows you to earn your teacher placement hours in your home state (except for Georgia and Hawaii). The program consists of 15 hours in kindergarten through third-grade classrooms, 36 hours in fourth- through eighth-grade classrooms, and 13 days in second- through eighth-grade classrooms. The program also requires students to complete a full internship in a kindergarten through sixth-grade classroom.

Highlights

  • 97% of students receive financial aid
  • Tuition and fees are $444 per credit hour

Know Before You Apply

  • Student-faculty ratio of 16-to-1
  • Lower graduation rate of 63%

45%

Online Enrollment

$ 9,248

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

83%

Retention Rate

$25,294

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
76%
Students Enrolled
22,657
Institution Type
Public
#10

Viterbo University

  • La Crosse, WI
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Why We Chose This School

Viterbo's two- to three-year education degree completion program is designed for students who have an associate degree or at least 35 credits. You can choose between two minors: special education or early childhood education. Graduates will be eligible to apply for elementary and middle school licensure. Viterbo is also one of the most affordable schools on our list at $370 per credit.

Highlights

  • Smaller student-faculty ratio of 12-to-1
  • In 2022-2023, every student was awarded some amount of financial aid

Know Before You Apply

  • Lower graduation rate of 65%

52%

Online Enrollment

$30,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

70%

Retention Rate

$30,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
73%
Students Enrolled
2,302
Institution Type
Private

Why You Should Get a BA in Elementary Education

  • minusYou’re interested in being responsible for educating the next generation of students.
  • minusYou want to further your education to become an elementary or secondary administrator.
  • minusYou’re ready to be a lifelong learner, taking professional development courses to stay up to date on the latest teaching pedagogies.

Benefits of Getting a Bachelor’s Degree Online

  • minusOnline programs provide the potential to complete your student-teaching hours in your hometown without travel.
  • minusYou’ll typically pay less in tuition than an in-person degree, and you may still qualify for financial aid.
  • minusOnline degrees provide the flexibility to keep your career, take accelerated courses, and take more time doing a part-time degree if you need.

How to Choose the Best Online Elementary Education Program for You

Cost and financial aid are among the most critical factors to an affordable education. Most online elementary education programs charge per credit; check if your school offers the same tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students.

If you’re searching for a special education or early childhood education specialization, check for what minors and concentrations your school offers.

How Much Does an Online Bachelor’s in Education Cost?

In-State Avg. Tuition & Fees

$9,875

In-State Avg. Net Price

$5,429

Out-of-State Avg. Tuition & Fees

$9,303

Out-of-State Avg. Net Price

$5,069

Source: NCES PowerStats

Tuition rates are for both in-state and out-of-state students because many online bachelor’s degrees in education have the same tuition rates for students regardless of state residency. However, some programs charge a little more for out-of-state students.

Financial aid scholarships and grants help reduce costs. Apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for grants, scholarships, and loans based on your financial income and need.

Once you submit it and send it to your college, your college will send you a potential financial aid package to show you how much you would pay.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s?

Typical # of Credits

120 Credits

Typical Program Length

4 Years

It can take 2-6 years to complete your bachelor’s degree. The fastest degree-completion options require you to come in with at least an associate degree. Most typically require a semester-long student-teaching internship.

Part-time learners may take a longer time to complete their degree because they often work while earning their degree.

What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education?

The most common job you can pursue with a bachelor’s in elementary education is being an elementary educator. However, you can also pursue different minors and specializations to become a special education teacher and early childhood educator.

To become a teacher, one must make sure to pursue licensure. If you want to stay in education, you can also pursue more administrative roles and further education to become a principal, curriculum creator, and other roles in elementary and secondary education.

Here are some of the most common jobs you can get with a bachelor’s in elementary education, with preschool teachers being the lowest paid and principals the highest paid.

Popular Elementary Education Jobs
JobMedian Annual Salary (May 2024)Description
Elementary, Middle, and High School Principal$104,070Oversees school operations and daily activities
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teacher$62,310 Teaches kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade
Middle School Teacher$62,970Teaches grades sixth through eighth/ninth grade
Preschool Teacher$37,120Teaches pre-kindergarten children
Special Education Teacher$64,270Teaches students with learning, emotional, and developmental disabilities
Source: BLS

Is a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education Worth It?

It depends on your goals and passions. An elementary education bachelor’s degree gives you the education you need to pursue a license and teach.

An online degree will benefit adult working professionals the most since you won’t have to travel for class. However, once you reach a certain semester, you will have to complete teaching hours and likely an entire internship semester teaching. While this may not be an issue for teachers reaching licensure, it may require more from others in a different career field.

Once you have a bachelor’s, you also have many more opportunities to pursue more education and open more doors.

Education Beyond a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education

Once you get a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, you can also pursue master’s programs in education or an online master’s degree in educational leadership.

Educational leadership programs prepare you for a life in administration and advising roles in education from preschool through postsecondary education. Fully online master’s degrees are also cheaper than in-person by over 30%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Some of the most common careers are school administrators and religious activities directors, and they even open the path to curriculum writers for those who want to pursue research.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bachelor’s in Elementary Education Programs

Yes, you can be an elementary school teacher with a bachelor’s degree. However, you have to have a teaching license or be in the process of earning a license in some states to teach. Before becoming a teacher, you will also have to complete student-teaching hours.

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