Most Affordable Online Education Programs

With the current national teacher shortage, education is one of the most important occupations in the country. An online education bachelor’s program is one way to earn your degree from home and cut down on expenses compared to in-person education. We ranked the most affordable online education programs to help you get the biggest return on investment for your future in education.

Education bachelor’s graduates typically become K-12 educators and adult education teachers. While you’re a student, some states will even pay you to student-teach in schools. Find out how much an online bachelor’s in education costs, what to expect, and how to pay for your education.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Typically, an online bachelor’s degree costs less than an in-person degree. Online students may curb traditional in-person fees and expenses like transportation, housing, and health insurance and athletic facilities fees. However, you may still need to pay more than tuition for online health resources, books, online course access codes, and technology fees.

As of 2023, 38 of 65 online-only colleges and universities reported that full-time first-year undergraduate students paid about $17,140 in 2021-22. While there typically are no in-person components for a fully online degree, if you want to take the path to teacher licensure, you must complete in-person student teaching hours at a local school.

Empathetic, patient, and hard-working students are often the best fit for both bachelor’s in education programs and teaching careers. The best programs help students develop the hard skills they need to succeed as teachers, including curriculum development, classroom management, and differentiated instruction.

A typical online bachelor’s in education curriculum consists of 120 credits. Most full-time students graduate in approximately four years, or eight semesters. Some programs allow students to complete concentrations in age groups (elementary, middle, high school) or content areas (math, science, English language arts, social studies).

Most online programs include student teaching and practicum experiences that distance learners can complete in person at local schools. All programs that lead to state teaching licensure must include these programs since student teaching hours are a prerequisite for licensure.

Online bachelor’s in education programs usually maintain the same admission requirements as their on-campus counterparts. In rare cases, some programs may ask prospective students to complete a phone or Zoom interview with a member of the admissions department. In most cases, schools stick to the requirements listed below.

All bachelor’s programs require prospective students to submit an application. These forms collect basic information like names and addresses. Prospective learners can apply to multiple schools at once through application systems like the Common App and Coalition App.

While this requirement is becoming less prevalent, many bachelor’s programs still require applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores. Some schools also maintain test-optional policies that allow prospective students to only submit standardized test scores if they strengthen their applications.

Most bachelor’s programs require prospective learners to submit 2-3 letters of recommendation. First-time college applicants should ask teachers with whom they have good relationships to write these letters. Make sure to ask your recommenders months in advance so that they have enough time to write strong letters.

Students who apply to online bachelor’s in education programs through the Common App or Coalition App can submit a single main essay to multiple schools at once. Most programs require supplemental essays, often asking students why they want to become teachers or requesting a statement of educational philosophy.

All accredited colleges require applicants to submit official transcripts from all prior schools they have attended. First-time applicants should send in high school transcripts. If you have completed previous college coursework, such as an associate degree from a community college, you should submit college transcripts so that you can potentially earn transfer credit.

Education is among the 10 most popular college majors, offering a desirable blend of high demand, reasonable wages, and meaningful work. Most students choose to enroll in online bachelor’s in education programs because they want to become classroom teachers at the elementary, middle, or high school levels. However, they can also pursue careers as training and development managers, instructional coordinators, administrators, or principals.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that education, training, and library occupations will grow slower than the average for all occupations over the next decade.

In addition, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that 18% of public schools nationwide had one teacher vacancy in 2022, while 27% had multiple vacancies. This means that there are plenty of opportunities across the nation for you to find a teaching job after graduation.

See where a bachelor’s in education can take you. Learn more about education careers.

The most common continuing education path for graduates with a bachelor’s in education is to earn a master’s degree in education (M.Ed.) or teaching. Public school districts usually use salary schedules to award wages. These tables generally pay teachers with master’s degrees higher wages than bachelor’s degree-holders with the same amount of experience.

Furthermore, all licensed teachers must complete a certain number of professional development hours per year to renew their licenses. They can complete these hours through conferences and online courses, among other avenues.

To apply for federal financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many schools also use the FAFSA to determine what types of work-study jobs, grants, and scholarships they should award to incoming students.

College loans should serve as a student’s last resort after exhausting all possible grant and scholarship opportunities. Graduates who meet certain requirements as a teacher can qualify for federal loan forgiveness programs specifically for educators.

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education should apply for Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grants. In exchange for committing to teach a high-need subject for four years after graduating, students receive money toward their education.

Federal work-study jobs allow students to work jobs and receive money toward their education while enrolled in school. Eligible students must meet certain low-income qualifications, and approximately 3,400 schools offer these jobs.

Scholarships are the best form of financial aid for college students, as they do not require repayment. Schools, nonprofit organizations, and businesses award scholarships on the basis of both need and merit. Qualifications vary by scholarship.