Finding the Best Elementary Teaching Colleges

For those with a passion for shaping young minds, a career in elementary education can be incredibly rewarding. Discovering the best colleges for elementary education is a crucial first step. Elementary education majors delve into the intricacies of teaching grades K-6, mastering effective teaching practices and crafting age-appropriate lessons. But with so many options available, how does one choose the right path?

Is an Elementary Education Degree Worth It?

Before diving into rankings, it's important to consider the value of an elementary education degree. According to College Scorecard and IPEDS, holders of bachelor’s degrees in education earn an average salary of $41,485 - about 20% lower than the national average for all bachelor’s degree holders. Teachers with a master’s in education enjoy a higher average salary of $53,027. Still, this amount falls behind the average ($69,400) for the same degree level nationwide. Overall, if it’s high earnings you’re after, there are more lucrative degrees available to you than a bachelor’s in elementary education.

However, the intrinsic rewards of teaching, such as making a positive impact on children's lives, should also be considered. Moreover, a degree in elementary education can open doors to various career paths beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Understanding Elementary Education Degrees

Elementary education degree programs are available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, both on-campus and online. The most common bachelor’s in elementary education degrees are available for people new to teaching. Degrees include Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees typically comprised of 120 credit hours that can be completed in four years of full-time study. This includes fieldwork or practica (putting classroom theory into practice) in the classroom. With fieldwork, this path should qualify for certification after graduation. Requires passing state testing, such as the Praxis exam in elementary education, depending on the state. State certification is required to teach in public schools.

Master’s in elementary education degrees are available for existing teachers who would like to specialize in elementary education and for career switchers who already have a bachelor’s degree outside of education. Career switchers must pursue state certification (or licensure) via an alternative route. Master’s degrees typically comprise 30 credits or more and can be completed in one or two years of full-time study, depending on the program.

In addition to master’s degrees, many states also offer alternative certification programs leading to teacher certification that are typically more affordable than master’s degrees. Alternative certification programs require a bachelor’s degree.

For those planning to teach at the older end of elementary school, some schools offer an interdisciplinary academic major to complement your degree, focusing on subjects such as English language arts/reading, art, physical education, mathematics, or science.

Elementary education degrees may offer further levels of specialization (also called concentration, specialty, and emphasis). Some common ones include:

ESL/Bilingual Education: Prepares graduates to teach English as a second language to elementary-aged students.
Gifted and Talented Education: Prepares graduates to teach elementary-aged learners who have been identified as gifted.
Lower Elementary (K-3): Prepares graduates to teach younger elementary school students.
Special Education: Prepares teachers to work with learners with a range of learning and emotional disabilities.
STEM: Prepares teachers of STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Other Subject Area: Prepares educators to focus on a particular subject area, such as social studies, physical education, art, language arts, music, or math.
Upper Elementary (3-6): Prepares teachers of higher elementary grades, focusing on the third through sixth grades.

Top-Ranked Elementary Education Programs

When it comes to identifying top-ranked programs, several institutions stand out. US News & World Report consistently recognizes the following universities for their graduate elementary teacher education programs:

Michigan State University
Teachers College, Columbia University
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Washington
Vanderbilt University
Ohio State University
Arizona State University (online)
Indiana University-Bloomington
Stanford University

These schools are recognized for their comprehensive curriculum, experienced faculty, and commitment to preparing effective educators.

Read also: High School Diploma Jobs

Best Value Schools

For those seeking a balance between cost and quality, several institutions offer excellent value in elementary education programs. These schools often have a high graduation rate and a lower net price (annual tuition after federal student aid). Some examples include:

Chipola College: A small public college in Northern Florida offering a BS in Elementary Education, ranking first for best-value bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
CUNY City College: The oldest member of the City University of New York public university system, with a highly ranked BSEd program.
CUNY Queens College: Another member of the CUNY system, offering a best-value BA in Education, Elementary, & Early Childhood Education.
Heritage University: A small private university in rural Washington, offering an affordable BA in Education program with an emphasis in elementary STEM and an endorsement for English Language Learners Education.
SUNY College at Old Westbury: A midsized public university in Long Island, New York, offering several affordable undergraduate degree programs in elementary education, including options for Bilingual Education and Special Education.
Florida International University: A large public university in Miami with an affordable BS in Elementary Education program, preparing students to teach grades K-6 with ESOL and reading endorsements.
Florida Atlantic University (FAU): A large public university in Boca Raton, Florida, offering a great-value bachelor’s program in elementary education for aspiring teachers of grades K-6.
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC): A large public university in Chicago offering an affordable BA in Urban Education - Elementary Education program with a focus on teaching in urban schools.
Florida State University: A highly selective public university in Tallahassee, Florida, offering a high-quality and affordable combined BS/MS degree in elementary education.
University of North Florida: A midsized public university in Jacksonville, Florida, offering an affordable Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAE) program with a concentration in Elementary Education (K-6).
University of South Florida (USF): A large public university in Tampa, Florida, offering a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program with an emphasis on arts integration.
University of Central Florida: A large public university in Orlando, Florida, offering a good-value Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program through its College of Community Innovation and Education.

Online Elementary Education Degrees

Online education degrees from accredited institutions are considered just as valid and trustworthy as degrees obtained on campus. Graduates of online programs find them valuable to their career path, and online options tend to be less expensive.

Here are some best value schools with online elementary education programs:

Florida State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
State University of New York at New Paltz
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Appalachian State University
Niagara University
University of Missouri-Columbia
Salisbury University
Oregon State University

Elementary Education Degree Requirements and Coursework

To start coursework in an undergraduate elementary education program, you will typically need to complete one to two years of prerequisite courses and gain acceptance into the college of education at your school. To earn your degree you will need to complete the required education courses. Many schools require that students maintain a minimum cumulative GPA to remain enrolled in the program and graduate. Additionally, a teaching internship or fieldwork with a specified number of hours in the classroom is a common requirement for education majors.

Master’s in elementary education programs require a bachelor’s degree, and if the degree was in a subject other than education, you will likely have to complete prerequisite coursework in general education before beginning the specialized courses in elementary education.

Some examples of common classes in the curriculum of an elementary teaching degree program include:

Art in the Elementary School Classroom
Assessment of Learning
Child Development and Early Childhood
Communication in Cross-Cultural Classrooms
Foundations of Literacy Development
Health and Physical Education in the Elementary Classroom
Introduction to Elementary Education
Literature for Children
Managing an Effective Classroom
Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers
Music in the Elementary School Classroom
Teaching Elementary School Science
Teaching Elementary Social Studies
Teaching Practicum

What Can You Do With an Elementary Education Degree?

A degree in elementary education opens doors to various career paths, even beyond traditional classroom teaching. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects relatively low job growth for kindergarten and elementary school teachers (just 1%), it also expects about 109,000 openings each year due to replacement needs.

Here are some potential career paths with an elementary education degree:

Elementary Classroom Teacher: Develop lesson plans, build assessments, grade assignments, and create a curriculum that meets state education standards.
Middle School Classroom Teacher: An elementary education endorsement may qualify you to teach kindergarten through the sixth, seventh, or eighth grades.
Teaching Assistant: Provide support to classroom teachers by supervising children, overseeing classroom activities, and assisting with assignments.
Special Education Teacher: Works with students who have mental, physical, or emotional disabilities.
Kindergarten Teacher: Teaches young children the basics needed for future schooling.
Instructional Support Specialist: Design and implement curriculum activities for classroom teachers.
Instructional Designer: Develop curriculum materials for classroom teachers, potentially working outside of a school district in online or corporate education settings.
Education Consultant: Evaluate curricula, assess teaching practices, teach new techniques to teachers, and implement student-centered programs.
Education Writer: Provide education-related content for students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders.
Childcare Center Director: Manages a childcare center by supervising staff, making budgets, and planning activities.

Benefits of Pursuing an Elementary Education Degree

Work in a School Setting: Work in a public or private elementary school.
Prepare Students: Teach young students basic concepts and subjects to lay the groundwork for their future schooling.
Prepare for Certification: Getting an accredited bachelor’s degree in education is considered the first step you need to take before getting your teaching certification.
Summers Off: Most elementary teachers have the summers off as well as breaks in the winter and spring.
Low Education Threshold: You only need a bachelor’s degree to become an elementary school teacher.
Good Pay and Benefits: Enjoy a nine or ten-month contract with weekends off, typically excellent benefits, and summers off.
Many Job Opportunities: Teaching positions are often plentiful in public or private schools, elementary or middle schools, or for private education companies.
Opportunity to Make a Positive Impact: Have opportunities to have a positive impact on your students’ lives academically, socially, and emotionally.
Good Job Security: Teachers are an integral component of society, and there will always be a need for them.
Automatic Pay Raises: Most school districts provide teachers with automatic pay raises with each year they work and for earning additional education.
Autonomy: Classroom teachers get a high level of autonomy in developing assignments and activities for their students.

Additional Considerations

Accreditation: Ensure that the program you choose is accredited by a recognized agency, as this ensures quality and value.
Certification: Research the specific certification requirements for the state in which you plan to teach.
GPA Requirements: Most programs require a minimum GPA for admission and graduation.
Fieldwork: Look for programs that offer extensive fieldwork opportunities, as this provides valuable hands-on experience.

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