Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education Degrees of 2025

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

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Updated December 19, 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 2025

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

56%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,474

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

30,298

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

56%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,474

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

30,298

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$6,916

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,759

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

43%

Acceptance Rate

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,368

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,467

Retention Rate

92%

Students Enrolled

68,842

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,916

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,759

University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,916

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,759

Acceptance Rate

43%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,368

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,467

Retention Rate

92%

Students Enrolled

68,842

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS4 yearCampus + Online

$10,294

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,018

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

80%

Acceptance Rate

49%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,964

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,838

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

19,745

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

80%

Online Enrollment

49%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,964

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,838

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

19,745

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,898

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

90%

Acceptance Rate

72%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

26,785

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

90%

Online Enrollment

72%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

26,785

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Mercer University

Macon, GA4 yearCampus + Online

$15,531

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,531

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

66%

Acceptance Rate

34%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,017

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,017

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

9,124

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,531

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,531

Mercer University

Macon, GA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,531

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,531

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

34%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,017

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,017

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

9,124

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL4 yearCampus + Online

$11,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$31,460

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

76%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,100

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,400

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

39,622

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,460

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,460

Acceptance Rate

76%

Online Enrollment

42%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,100

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,400

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

39,622

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Fordham University

Bronx, NY4 yearCampus + Online

$23,112

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,112

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

56%

Acceptance Rate

19%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,920

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$56,920

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

16,153

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,112

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,112

Fordham University

Bronx, NY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,112

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,112

Acceptance Rate

56%

Online Enrollment

19%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,920

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$56,920

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

16,153

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

American University

Washington, DC4 yearCampus + Online

$38,139

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$38,139

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

47%

Acceptance Rate

29%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$53,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,070

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

13,019

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$38,139

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,139

American University

Washington, DC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$38,139

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,139

Acceptance Rate

47%

Online Enrollment

29%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$53,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,070

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

13,019

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA4 yearCampus + Online

$9,691

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$20,774

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

94%

Acceptance Rate

44%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,396

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,940

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

9,021

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,691

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,774

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,691

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,774

Acceptance Rate

94%

Online Enrollment

44%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,396

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,940

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

9,021

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#10

Ball State University

Muncie, IN4 yearCampus + Online

$9,884

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,222

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

72%

Acceptance Rate

59%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,688

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,696

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

20,440

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,884

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,222

Ball State University

Muncie, IN4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,884

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,222

Acceptance Rate

72%

Online Enrollment

59%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,688

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,696

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

20,440

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: