Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education Degrees 2024
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2024Are 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
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 Enrolled19,707
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Western Governors University
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 2 year
- Online
- In-State$7,162
- Out-of-state$7,162
- In-State$7,500
- Out-of-state$7,765
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled150,116
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
East Carolina University
- Greenville, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,452
- Out-of-state$20,729
- In-State$4,749
- Out-of-state$17,898
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled27,162
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Charlotte, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,812
- Out-of-state$17,936
- In-State$4,337
- Out-of-state$18,482
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled29,668
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment69%
- AccreditationYes
Missouri State University-Springfield
- Springfield, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,196
- Out-of-state$15,400
- In-State$5,994
- Out-of-state$11,970
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled22,581
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
McDaniel College
- Westminster, MD
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$46,336
- Out-of-state$46,336
- In-State$9,468
- Out-of-state$9,468
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled2,996
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Dakota
- Grand Forks, ND
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,882
- Out-of-state$13,324
- In-State$11,963
- Out-of-state$17,944
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled13,917
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment70%
- AccreditationYes
Mercer University
- Macon, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$29,024
- Out-of-state$29,024
- In-State$15,244
- Out-of-state$15,531
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled8,851
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Kearney, NE
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,270
- Out-of-state$13,650
- In-State$6,216
- Out-of-state$13,656
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled6,046
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment73%
- AccreditationYes
University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,040
- Out-of-state$26,520
- In-State$8,424
- Out-of-state$34,260
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled21,464
- 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.
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 (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
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
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