Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education Degrees 2024
Contributing Writer
Editor & Writer
Contributing Reviewer
Contributing Writer
Editor & Writer
Contributing Reviewer
www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Turn Your Dreams Into Reality
Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.
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
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Master's in Elementary Education Degrees of 2024
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Browse programs Discover matches Request info
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $536
Out-of-State | $536
Credits to Graduate: 31
Consider K-State's online master of arts in teaching if you want to work as a licensed K-6 educator in Kansas or a state with licensure reciprocity. The program offers a specialized track for practicing educators with a provisional Kansas teaching license. Core classes include the social foundations of education, action research in education, and teaching science and math in elementary school.
K-State offers three annual start dates. You can complete your education in just one year. Application requirements include a statement of objectives, a resume, and three professional references.
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT - 2 years
- Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Term:
In-State | $3,975
Out-of-State | $3,975
Credits to Graduate: 49
WGU's online master's in elementary education requires core coursework in the foundations of education, schools as communities, and essential practices for supporting diverse learners. You also complete preclinical experiences before starting student teaching. Other graduation requirements include a professional portfolio you can use as part of a job application.
Applicants with a 2.0-2.5 undergraduate GPA may receive conditional admission if they pass a basic skills test. You can save money on your degree by learning at an accelerated pace, as WGU charges tuition by six-month term rather than per credit.
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $290
Out-of-State | $1,020
Credits to Graduate: 33
Educators with an initial North Carolina teaching license can choose ECU's online master's in elementary education program. The degree offers concentrations in gifted learners, pedagogy, early childhood, teaching children in poverty, and teacher leadership. All concentrations require core coursework in educational research, advanced assessment, and leadership and communication.
Application requirements include three professional references, official transcripts, and a statement of purpose. ECU waives the teaching license requirements for current undergraduates in the university's Honors College.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $289
Out-of-State | $1,098
Credits to Graduate: 33
UNC Charlotte's online master's in elementary education appeals to licensed educators and lets you choose between asynchronous and synchronous learning. The program also offers concentrations, such as elementary mathematics, gifted education, and teaching English to English-language learners. All degree-seekers take classes in classroom management and theories of human development.
UNC Charlotte requires GRE or MAT scores and an "A" level teaching license. You may apply if you live in a state with licensure reciprocity.
Missouri State University-Springfield
Springfield, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $379
Out-of-State | $379
Credits to Graduate: 33
Missouri State's online MS in elementary education helps practicing educators learn new skills and prepare for career advancement. The self-paced curriculum features core classes in contemporary issues, the emerging master teacher, and advanced theory or practice. You can customize your education in many ways, such as choosing between a thesis or research seminar project.
You must submit GRE scores if you do not hold a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Other admission requirements include one recommendation letter and a resume.
McDaniel College
Westminster, MD - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $548
Out-of-State | $548
Credits to Graduate: 33
Apply to McDaniel's hybrid master's in elementary education program for a fully customizable curriculum. Your academic advisor helps you select classes and choose between a capstone project or a master's thesis. Focus areas include equity and excellence in education, elementary math instruction, and writing for children and young adults.
Admission requirements include a valid teaching license and a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Applicants with a 2.75-2.99 undergraduate GPA may receive conditional admission. McDaniel also offers a teacher-preparation master's degree leading to initial licensure.
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $547
Out-of-State | $547
Credits to Graduate: 30
UND's online M.Ed. elementary education features three annual start dates and attracts practicing educators. Required classes include curriculum and methods, the foundations of reading instruction, and curriculum and pedagogy. You complete practica at your job site, and the program lets you write a thesis or develop a scholarly project.
Application requirements include a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA, an active teaching license, three recommendation letters, and a statement of goals. All online learners pay the same tuition rate.
Mercer University
Macon, GA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Georgia Professional Standards Commission
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $683
Out-of-State | $683
Credits to Graduate: 30
Mercer's online M.Ed. in education lets you focus on elementary education. You take core classes in school philosophy, contemporary curriculum practices, and introduction to educational research. You then customize your education by choosing electives, such as problem-solving in mathematics and reading theory.
The typical M.Ed. student graduates in 12-16 months and may qualify for up to two new endorsements to their license. Application requirements include a teaching license and a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA.
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney, NE - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $326
Out-of-State | $460
Credits to Graduate: 36
Aspiring curriculum developers, educational analysts, and reading specialists apply to UNK's online master's in curriculum and instruction. The elementary education concentration helps K-6 educators improve their skills with coursework in the philosophy of education, contemporary theory and practice in reading, and instruction design. You also complete a practicum at your job site.
UNK uses a GPA cutoff and requires a professional biography. You may submit GRE scores. Out-of-state learners earning an education master's degree pay less than the standard out-of-state tuition rate.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $458
Out-of-State | $458
Credits to Graduate: 30
UAB's online master's in elementary education offers over a dozen electives, such as teaching mathematics, reading assessment and evaluation, and current issues in education. You also take coursework in curriculum development and critical pedagogy. The program does not require a thesis or a capstone project.
You must hold a valid teaching license and a bachelor's in elementary education to apply. UAB also requires at least 31 credits of relevant undergraduate coursework. You remain in good academic standing by maintaining a minimum 3.25 graduate GPA.
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.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
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).
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 (based on data from April 2024) |
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
What can you do with a master's in elementary education besides teaching?
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:
- School and district administration
- Curriculum development
- Nonprofit youth development
- Educational publishing
- Government education agencies
What are the highest-paying jobs in elementary education?
The highest-paying jobs in elementary education include elementary school teacher, instructional coordinator, and elementary school principal. The highest-paid elementary school teachers earn more than $101,310, according to BLS data, and K-12 principals also report a six-figure median pay. However, salaries can vary substantially by state.
How much does an online master's in elementary education degree cost?
The cost of an online elementary education master's degree varies depending on the program. The average annual cost of a master's degree reached a little over $20,500 in 2021-2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Teachers can qualify for grants, scholarships, and loan forgiveness programs, including the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, which cancels up to $17,500 of federal student loans.
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 March 25, 2024.