Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Education 2024

We have gathered the best colleges rated on accessibility, affordability, online programs, resources, and more. Ready to find your career in education all from home? Start with our top schools that will provide you with the best online bachelor’s degrees in education.

Education careers are critical in 2024. The country is facing a teacher shortage. From February to May 2020, the country lost about 730,000 public education jobs and has not recovered since. Some states may even pay you for student teaching if you decide to pursue certification. Keep reading to learn more about the best online bachelor’s degrees.

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

The University of Missouri and Texas Tech University take the number two and three spots, respectively. One factor keeping them from the top spot is the jump in net prices — both institutions cost around $17,000 in annual net fees.

Missouri Online prides itself on flexibility and adjusting your program to meet your schedule, not the other way around. Unlike UF, Missouri Online has a high admission rate of 79% and an admirable graduation rate of 75%.

If you’re looking for a teaching certification in Texas, Texas Tech may be for you. The online BS in education offers TeachTeach Across Texas. This one-year fast-track teacher preparation program combines in-person clinical experience with online courses in certain areas of the state. Texas Tech’s admission rate is 67%, and its graduation rate is similar at 64%.

A degree in education can open the door to teaching opportunities at K-12 schools nationwide. However, teaching isn’t your only option. Students with education degrees can work in fields like education administration, nonprofit management, and higher education positions like professorship.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, high school teachers made a median salary of $65,220 per year as of May 2023. Before you consider a degree in education, see how much you may make compared to the amount you’ll pay for your education.

Online education programs tend to be cheaper than in-person ones since you’re not paying for transportation, campus services, fees, food, and on-campus room and board. The average tuition cost of an online bachelor’s in education program is $9,594 per year. In contrast, an in-person program will cost you about $13,109.

Before choosing an education program, see what matches your schedule. Online programs can be more or less demanding of your schedule. Some are synchronous, which often require attending lectures at certain times. Others are asynchronous, which gives you lectures to watch or other course materials and work to do within a certain period.

An online program may allow you to take classes and do coursework independently. If a program gives you flexibility, you could speed through your education faster than the typical four years it takes or chip at it over a longer period.

Just because your program is online doesn’t always mean it won’t have any in-person components. One of the most common in-person requirements for education majors is student-teaching hours at a local school.

If you’re considering teaching, see where your program is based and if the program connects you with student-teaching opportunities at local schools. Different states have different requirements for student teaching and teaching licensure.

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 June 19, 2024.