Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education Degrees 2024

Considering an elementary education master’s degree? Discover the top-ranked programs to earn your degree online.

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Updated October 9, 2024

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Are you looking for the next step in your education career?

An elementary education master’s degree can help you boost your compensation and take on new job responsibilities. Educators usually see salary bump when they earn a master’s. And the flexibility of an online format means you can pursue a graduate degree while teaching.

Keep reading to learn more about the best online master’s programs in elementary education.

Featured Online Master’s in Elementary Education Programs

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In this Article

Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education Degrees of 2024

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS4 yearCampus + Online

$10,294

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,018

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

95%

Acceptance Rate

44%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,632

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,944

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

19,707

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,294

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,018

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,294

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,018

Acceptance Rate

95%

Online Enrollment

44%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,632

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,944

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

19,707

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT2 yearOnline

$7,500

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,765

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,162

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,162

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

150,116

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,500

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,765

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT2 yearOnline

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,500

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,765

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,162

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,162

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

150,116

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,898

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

92%

Acceptance Rate

74%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

27,162

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,898

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,898

Acceptance Rate

92%

Online Enrollment

74%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

27,162

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,337

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,482

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

80%

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,936

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

29,668

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,337

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,482

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,337

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,482

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment

69%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,936

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

29,668

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Missouri State University-Springfield

Springfield, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$5,994

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,970

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

93%

Acceptance Rate

54%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,196

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,400

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

22,581

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,994

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,970

Missouri State University-Springfield

Springfield, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,994

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,970

Acceptance Rate

93%

Online Enrollment

54%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,196

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,400

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

22,581

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

McDaniel College

Westminster, MD2 yearCampus + Online

$9,468

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,468

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

82%

Acceptance Rate

54%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$46,336

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,336

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

2,996

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,468

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,468

McDaniel College

Westminster, MD2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,468

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,468

Acceptance Rate

82%

Online Enrollment

54%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$46,336

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,336

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

2,996

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND4 yearCampus + Online

$11,963

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,944

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

83%

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,882

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,324

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

13,917

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,963

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,944

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,963

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,944

Acceptance Rate

83%

Online Enrollment

70%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,882

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,324

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

13,917

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Mercer University

Macon, GA4 yearCampus + Online

$15,244

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,531

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

74%

Acceptance Rate

34%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,024

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,024

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

8,851

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,244

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,531

Mercer University

Macon, GA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,244

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,531

Acceptance Rate

74%

Online Enrollment

34%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,024

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,024

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

8,851

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE2 yearCampus + Online

$6,216

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,656

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

86%

Acceptance Rate

73%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,270

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,650

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

6,046

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,216

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,656

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,216

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,656

Acceptance Rate

86%

Online Enrollment

73%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,270

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,650

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

6,046

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#10

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL4 yearCampus + Online

$8,424

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$34,260

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

87%

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,040

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,520

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

21,464

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,424

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,260

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,424

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,260

Acceptance Rate

87%

Online Enrollment

66%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,040

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,520

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

21,464

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

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

Let’s cut to the chase: Most teachers are woefully underpaid in this country, especially for such a highly-degreed group of workers.

None of us get in this line of work to get rich, said Lindsay Henderson, now the principal at Alice Moore Alexander Elementary in Denton, Texas. But a master’s degree is a good way to push your salary into a more comfortable place.

Several factors can affect how much you earn, including your job title, employer, years of experience, and location. Because most schools use pay scales, teachers with more experience or more education often earn substantially more. On average, educators see a 27% salary bump when they earn a master’s, according to data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Careers With a Master’s in Elementary Education
Job	Median Annual Salary (May 2023)
Elementary School Teacher	$63,670
Special Education Teacher	$65,910
Instructional Coordinator	$74,620
Elementary School Principal	$103,460
Assistant Principal	$77,150 (April 2024)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics & Payscale

Is an Online Master’s in Elementary Education Worth It?

Earning an elementary education master’s degree online can pay off. For example, you’ll have the opportunity to deepen your expertise, increase your earning potential, and open new career doors.

Earn a higher salary: You can increase your compensation by pursuing a master’s degree. In fact, those with a master’s in education earn 27% more than those with a bachelor’s in education, according to NACE data. You may also qualify for higher-paying roles with a master’s degree.
Boost your credentials: A master’s in education can help you pursue board certification, add additional endorsements to your license, or specialize your expertise in areas such as instructional design or curriculum development. By expanding your expertise, you can stand out in the classroom or move into new roles.
Pursue leadership positions: You’ll develop leadership skills during a graduate degree in elementary education. And with a master’s in education, you can move into leadership roles, including as a lead teacher or instructional coordinator. A master’s can also prepare you for other school administrator positions, including assistant principal or principal.

Frequently Asked Questions About an Online Master’s in Elementary Education

In addition to giving you more refined tools to be successful inside the classroom, a master’s in elementary education can help you access career opportunities outside the classroom, including roles in: