2023 Most Affordable Online Elementary Education Degrees

Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) is a public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education totaling 122 credit hours. This program can take four years to complete. GSW’s acceptance rate is 73%, with a 44% graduation rate.

At GSW, online students complete coursework on GeorgiaVIEW. This program's curriculum is designed for students who aspire to teach elementary education. Sample coursework includes Math Methods, Literature for Children, and Lifetime Fitness. Students must participate in student teaching in order to graduate. Alumni of the program may pursue careers like elementary school teachers, special education teachers, and consulting educators.

The University of the Cumberlands is a private, nonprofit, Christian institution offering a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, which totals 120 credit hours. This online program offers four concentrations: (1) Interdisciplinary Studies, (2) English/Communications, (3) Social and Behavioral Studies, and (4) Special Education. Full-time students can expect to spend four years completing this program. The university accepts 81% of applicants, with 60% graduating.

Cumberlands facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via iLearn. This software program provides the foundational knowledge students need to pursue teaching careers. Some of the program’s courses are Basic Concepts Concerning Education, Effective Teaching Practices, and Human Diversity. Students are also required to participate in supervised student teaching sessions. Some potential job opportunities for graduates include art teachers, elementary school teachers, and preschool teachers.

At Fort Hays State University (FHSU), a public institution, prospective students can pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, requiring 127 credit hours. This program can take four years to complete with a full-time schedule. The university has a 91% acceptance rate, with a graduation rate of 57%.

FHSU’s online students complete coursework, which is delivered asynchronously and synchronously, through the learning platform, Blackboard. An elementary education curriculum covers teaching skills, diversity, and human development issues to help aspiring teachers thrive in their future careers. Sample courses are Foundations of Education, Educating Exceptional Students, and Diverse Learners. In addition, students must complete an internship, methods courses, and supervised student teaching. Prospective careers for this degree are camp director, curriculum developer, and child care center administrator.

Lees-McRae College (LMC) is a private, nonprofit, and Presbyterian-affiliated institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education totaling 61 credit hours. Full-time students can expect to spend two years completing this program. LMC’s acceptance rate is 73%, and 54% is its graduation rate.

At LMC, online students complete coursework on the learning management system (LMS), Sakai. This program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in a teaching career, with core courses such as Educational Psychology, Literature for Children, and Assessment of Student Learning. Students must also complete 150 hours of student teaching and a senior research project to obtain their degree. Potential career opportunities for graduates are elementary school teachers, teacher assistants, and program coordinators.

Wichita State University (Wichita) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education that requires 120 credit hours. This online degree can take students four years to complete. Wichita accepts 80% of applicants, with 50% of students graduating.

Wichita facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through the LMS Blackboard. This program’s curriculum prepares students to sit for a teaching license, from early childhood to 6th grade. Some core courses are Universal Design for Learning, Classroom Management and Pedagogy, and Learning and Educational Assessment — but students must also complete an internship, field experience, and a teacher license capstone. After graduating, potential job opportunities are education consultants, special education teachers, and instructional coordinators.

At Athens State University (Athens), a public institution, future students can pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Education - Elementary Education, requiring 124 credit hours. This program can take four years to complete. At Athens, 59% of students graduate with a degree.

Athens facilities asynchronous and synchronous online learning through Blackboard. An elementary education program online gives students the knowledge and skills for careers in educational settings. Sample coursework includes Introduction to Teaching, Foundations of Education, and Survey of Exceptional Learners. Teaching practicums and training — alongside a seminar course — are also required for graduation. Some careers that graduates are eligible to pursue include career counselors, writers, and kindergarten or elementary school teachers.

Southern Utah University (SUU) is a public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science or Arts in Elementary University totaling 120-123 credit hours. Full-time students can expect to spend four years completing the program. SUU’s acceptance rate is 76%, with a graduation rate of 53%.

SUU students complete coursework remotely through the LMS Canvas. Courses are delivered asynchronously and synchronously, depending on the instructors. This program prepares aspiring teachers or non-licensed teachers to sit for a teaching license exam. Some of the program’s online classes are Foundations of Elementary Literacy Instruction, Educational Psychology, and Educating Exceptional Students. Students must also finish a student teaching practicum. Graduates may pursue careers like elementary school teachers, program coordinators, and teacher assistants.

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, nonprofit institution offering two online bachelor’s programs in elementary education: (1) a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (40 major credit hours) and (2) a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies - Elementary Education, a non-licensure program (credit hours vary). It can take up to 30 months to complete either of these programs. The university accepts all applicants, and it has a 54% graduation rate.

WGU facilitates asynchronous and synchronous distance learning via Blackboard. The elementary education program delivers a robust curriculum that helps students become qualified teachers. Sample coursework includes Elementary Science Methods, Children’s Literature, and Educational Foundations. Future career opportunities for graduates are elementary school teachers, special education teachers, and school librarians.

God’s Bible School and College (GBS) is a nondenominational, private, nonprofit institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Teacher Education - Elementary Education. Requiring 135-141 credit hours, this degree takes at least four years for full-time students to graduate. GBS’s acceptance rate is 81%, and it has a 43% graduation rate.

At GBS, students complete coursework synchronously on Buzz. This LMS provides a non-licensure curriculum for aspiring teachers. Bible Methods in Elementary School, Child Development, and Educational Psychology are some of the program's course requirements. To graduate, students must also take Bible and Theology classes, including a seminar. Potential career opportunities include a Sunday school teacher, an overseas secondary English teacher, and a Christian school teacher.

Hobe Sound Bible College (HSBC) is a private, nonprofit, Wesleyan-Arminian institution that offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education totaling 129 credit hours. It can take four years to complete this program if students maintain a full-time schedule. The college accepts 100% of applicants, but only 48% of enrolled students graduate with their degrees.

HSBC facilitates online learning through Remote-Learner, an LMS that delivers a Christ-centered and Bible-based curriculum on teaching methods. Some of the program’s courses are Foundations of Education, Teaching Bible, and Intro to Special Education. Students are additionally required to take supervised student teaching and teaching practicums. Graduates may pursue careers like preschool teachers, Sunday school teachers, and elementary school teachers.