By TED Staff
January 2019
If you are ready to set down the path toward becoming an elementary teacher, though you know you will be a nontraditional student, you understand that you need to get that elementary education degree online. This list of the top 20 online elementary education bachelor’s degrees was made to help you find the school that suits your focus area and bottom line. The schools included on this list are all under $1,000 per credit hour. Some are degree completion programs or are specific to a certain geographic area, so do due diligence in choosing your program.
The following list of 20 bachelor’s degrees in elementary education online have been evaluated based on hourly online tuition and put into order, accordingly.
#1 – University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, Kentucky
Bachelor of Elementary Education Online
The University of the Cumberlands has an online bachelor of elementary education that allows up to 90 credits to be transferred into the program. This 128 credit program results in the student being prepared for licensure to teach P-5 grades, but does not result in any specific state licensure for teaching. Offering six 8-week terms per year, tuition at the University of the Cumberlands for the online bachelor of elementary education is $199 per unit of credit.
#2 – Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas
Online BS in Elementary Education
Fort Hays State University’s affordable bachelor of science in elementary education online is designed to prepare the student for licensure in the Sunflower State. Residents of other states who want to be licensed outside Kansas will need to verify the requirements are met with their state department of education. Tuition for the 127 credit hour program is $218.67 per instructional hour. The online BS in elementary education K-6 at Fort Hays State University was ranked #12 nationally by US News and World Report in 2018.
#3 – Baptist College of Florida
Graceville, Florida
Online BA in Elementary Education
The 124 credit hour bachelor of arts at the Baptist College of Florida requires 12 semester hours in Biblical/theological foundations. Internships are required in the final two semesters. Tuition for the online BA in elementary education is $230 per credit unit. The Baptist College of Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. This degree is certified by the State of Florida Department of Education, meaning that graduates from this program are automatically permitted to apply for a Professional Teaching Certificate in the Sunshine State.
#4 – Central Methodist University
Fayette, Missouri
BSE – Elementary Education Online
Offering two specializations (liberal arts and science), the online bachelor of science in education in elementary education at Central Methodist University takes 120 semester hours to complete. The Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) must be taken and passed in the first two years of study for full admission to the elementary education program. Tuition for the online BSE in elementary education is $250 per instructional hour. The program only offers certification for teachers in the Show Me State.
#5 – Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah
BA in Elementary Education Online
Western Governors University runs two six month terms a year and offers “competency units” instead of credit hours. You complete the unit, past the test and receive the credit. However many units you complete in a term, that is how much closer you are to graduation, which can allow you to finish ahead of schedule. Tuition for the online bachelor of arts in elementary education at Western Governors University is $3,225 per six month term. The BA in elementary education (which is 100% online) is a 40 course program.
#6 – University of Wisconsin Superior
Superior, Wisconsin
Online BA in Elementary Education
The University of Wisconsin Superior was founded in 1893 as Superior Normal School, created to train teachers. The online bachelor of arts in elementary education preps students for K-6 or 1-8 teaching and requires a minor in one of the following topics, early childhood education, health, language arts, social studies, or special education. $305 per unit of instruction is the tuition rate. Admission requirements for the online BA in elementary education at UW Superior are identical to the brick and mortar admission requirements.
#7 – Western New Mexico University
Silver City, New Mexico
BSE in Elementary Education Online
Western New Mexico University’s bachelor of science in education online in elementary education is a 120 credit program comprising studies in contextual knowledge, foundation, application, and a capstone experience. Progression beyond the foundation level requires admission to the School of Education. Tuition for the online BSE in elementary education at Western New Mexico University is $313.14 per instructional hour. Students must pass the New Mexico Teacher Assessments (NMTAs) or the National Evaluation Series (NES) exam in order to graduate from the program.
#8 – St. Andrews University
Laurinburg, North Carolina
Online BA in Elementary Education
The online bachelor of arts in elementary education at St. Andrews University takes 120 hours to complete. Digital learning applications and integrating movement in the classroom are two classes in the program. Students pay a very reasonable $335 for each credit hour while active military students are eligible for a discounted rate of $250 per hour. The price of course books is included in the tuition costs. Transfer students to the online BA in elementary education at St. Andrews University must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be cleared for transfer from their previous school.
#9 – New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico
BS in Elementary Education Online
The online bachelor of science in elementary education at New Mexico State University is a degree completion program open to those with at least 55 credit hours of previous coursework. Requiring prerequisites in multicultural education, introduction to language, and fundamentals of elementary math, the 132 credit program charges an online tuition rate of $336.05 per hour of instruction. Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the online BS in elementary education offered by New Mexico State University is meant to result in certification by the State Board of Education of New Mexico.
#10 – University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Online BS in Elementary Education for Teacher’s Assistants
The online bachelor of science in elementary education at the University of Southern Mississippi is meant for currently practicing teacher’s assistants who would like to step into the role of teacher. Online tuition for this program is $359.59 for residents of the Hospitality State and non-residents alike. The 120 credit minimum program is looking for candidates who are currently employed as full-time teaching assistants at public of private institutions that are accredited by the Education Department of the state in which they reside.
#11 – St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, Florida
BS in Elementary Education Online
Open to holders of an AA degree or the equivalent of 60 hours in general education requirements, the online bachelor of science in elementary education degree completion program at St. Petersburg College results in preparation to be certified to teach K-6 and double endorsement in Reading and ESOL. The 120 credit total program requires study in the areas of emergent literacy and integrated mathematics. $386.90 is the tuition rate for students outside of the Sunshine State. This degree qualifies the bearer to apply for the Florida Professional Certificate.
#12 – Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
BS in Elementary Education Online
Allowing up to 90 transfer hours, the online bachelor of science in elementary education at Liberty University uses 8 week courses in their 100% online accelerated program. The 120 credit degree is, on average, completed in 3 and a half years. $390 is the tuition rate for this degree, with discounts available for active duty military and first responders. Liberty University seeks applicants with a GPA of at least 2.0 for admission in good standing to the online BS in elementary education.
#13 – Asbury University
Wilmore, Kentucky
BS in Elementary Education Online
Allowing a maximum of 75 transfer credits, the 124 hour bachelor of science in elementary education at Asbury University must complete their clinical component of the degree in the Bluegrass State. So if you live in a non-Kentucky-contiguous state, this may not be the program for you. Tuition is $399 per credit hour. With four start dates a year, the BS in elementary education online at Asbury University calls for two letters of reference and a completed character and fitness form.
#14 – University of Louisiana Monroe
Monroe, Louisiana
Online BS in Elementary Education
The University of Louisiana Monroe’s online bachelor of science in elementary education features a tuition rate of $400 per credit unit. The 57 hour major is part of a 120 hour degree. The school offers unofficial transcript reviews for those who wonder which credits of theirs would transfer into this program. The online BS in elementary education at the University of Louisiana Monroe is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#15 – Midway University
Midway, Kentucky
Online BA in Elementary Education
The bachelor of arts online in elementary education at Midway University features a tuition rate of $425 per unit of credit for this 120 hour program. Graduates with this degree are qualified to be P-5 teachers in the State of Kentucky. Students in this area must apply for admission to Midway University and then apply for admission to the Teacher Education program to be eligible for the online BA in elementary education. Midway University receives regional accreditation for the Higher Learning Commission.
#16 – Judson College
Marion, Alabama
Online BS in Elementary Education
Requiring student teaching placement in Alabama and only open to Alabama candidates, the online bachelor of science in elementary education at Judson College is not for everyone, but it might be right for you if you make your home (or plan to) in the Heart of Dixie. The 120 unit program includes studies in children’s literature and reading in the content areas. The tuition rate for Judson College’s online BS in elementary education is $495 per instructional hour.
#17 – Prescott College
Prescott, Arizona
Online BA – Education & Professional Educator Preparation
At $598 per credit unit, the online bachelor of arts in education and professional educator preparation at Prescott College is at the higher end of the economic spectrum, but they offer a strong base in the liberal arts and one other area of your choosing. This limited residency program requires a brief on-campus new student orientation at the beginning of your time at Prescott. The 120 semester credit program boasts a generous transfer policy and the opportunity to utilize Prior Learning Assessments to gain course credit for life experience.
#18 – University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina
Online BA in Elementary Education
A 124 credit program, the online bachelor of arts at the University of North Carolina Wilmington includes coursework in psychological foundations of teaching and instructional technology. Eight concentrations are offered in the program: language arts, social studies, math and technology, science and health, fine arts, English as a second language, international studies, or behavioral studies. Out of state tuition for the online BA in elementary education is $625.27 per unit of credit. A 12 credit hour practicum is required for graduation.
#19 – East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
BS in Elementary Education Online
The online bachelor of science in elementary education at East Carolina University utilizes Partnership East, a collaborative partnership that allows students from any community college in North Carolina (including those that offer online programs) to complete their first two years of school at the community college and then finish their four year degree at ECU. The degree is a total of 125 credit hours. East Carolina University features an online out of state tuition charge of $716.31 per unit of instruction.
#20 – Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Online BS in Elementary Education
Drexel University’s online bachelor of science in elementary education offers 40% discount to online students off their standard tuition rate of $834 per hour, which brings you down to $501 per hour. Organized into four ten-week quarters a year, the 180 unit program allows the transfer of up to 50% of your credits into the program. The degree is only available for part-time pursuit and qualifies the graduate for pre-K-4 elementary ed certification or pre-K-4 special ed certification.
