Affordable Online Teaching Degrees 2026
Although becoming a licensed K-12 teacher requires many in-person experiences, online colleges can make earning a bachelor’s in education easier and more affordable. Programs that employ an asynchronous curriculum let you schedule coursework around your life, and some public colleges waive out-of-state tuition for online degree-seekers.
Explore the best online teaching degrees, and find the best program for you.
Degree at a Glance
- Typical Program Length: Four years for full-time degree-seekers
- Typical Admission Requirements: Criminal background check, high school or GED diploma
- Top Skills Gained: Curriculum planning, classroom management, professional ethics, pedagogical awareness
- Popular Concentrations: Early childhood education, middle education, secondary education, special education
Top Affordable Online Teaching Degrees
Central State University — Best Online Teaching Degree From an HBCU
- Wilberforce, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: HBCU Offering Fully Online Teaching Degrees With Built-In Teacher Licensure Pathways
Central State University’s early childhood education and intervention specialist education programs are among the few online teaching degrees from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) that offer a direct pathway to licensure. You'll earn a BS in education and qualify for the Ohio teaching license (Pre-K through 5th grade) and intervention specialist license (K–12), respectively.
Online teaching programs at CSU cost approximately $245 per credit for in-state students and $370 per credit for out-of-state students.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $11,954
Out-of-State | $13,454
Institutional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Leads to Licensure: Yes
Why Students Choose Central State University
- A Historic HBCU: Central State University is Ohio’s only public HBCU and is an 1890 Land-Grant Institution.
- Small Class Sizes: CSU boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1.
- Vibrant Arts and Culture: CSU has been named an Ohio Center of Excellence in Cultural and Societal Transformation, featuring robust theater and music programs.
Know Before You Enroll
- While these programs are online, you’ll also need 12–15 weeks of student teaching experience.
- You need a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete each bachelor’s program.
- To apply, you must have a high school diploma or a GED and a minimum GPA of 2.2.
87%
$5,404
56%
$7,404
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,719
- Institution Type
- Public
Empire State University — Most Transfer-Friendly
- Saratoga Springs, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Accepts up to 93 Transfer Credits, Including Prior Learning Assessments, Military Experience, and Work-Based Learning
Empire State University's ECE bachelor's program, like its other bachelor's degree programs, accepts up to 79 lower-division transfer credits and 14 upper-division credits (for a total of 93). The university also offers a credit transfer tool to help you determine which of your credits will be accepted. You may also receive credit for taking AP courses, speaking a second language, or having military experience.
SUNY Empire’s Early Childhood Education bachelor’s program costs approximately $295 for New York State residents and $353 for out-of-state students.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $3,535
Out-of-State | $4,240
Institutional Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Leads to Certification: Yes
Why Students Choose Empire State University
- Personal Advising: Each online student is assigned a personal concierge to assist with questions.
- Tutoring Available: Access a personal tutor if you need help with any of your classes.
- Rigorous Education Programs: SUNY Empire’s Early Childhood Education program meets the Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators.
Know Before You Enroll:
- You need 124 credit hours (plus in-person observation and student teaching experience) to complete this program.
- While this program meets the educational requirements for B-2 Certification in New York, you may still be required to undergo a background check.
- The program covers principles of teaching children from birth through second grade.
94%
$ 7,070
46%
$16,980
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 9,545
- Institution Type
- Public
Oregon State University — Best Education Program for Trauma-Informed Educators
- Corvallis, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Blends a Trauma-Informed Approach With a Focus on Social Justice, Classroom Diversity, and Emotional Wellness
OSU's elementary education bachelor's program integrates trauma-informed care, social justice advocacy, and inclusion into its curriculum. Completing this program enables you to become a licensed teacher and create a supportive classroom environment for every child, no matter their background.
The cost per credit for online students is $384. You can choose to concentrate in English to speakers of other languages (ESOL), dual language specialization, STEAM education, connecting families and communities, or special education.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $4,608 (12 credits)
Out-of-State | $4,608 (12 credits)
Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Leads to Licensure: Yes
Why Students Choose Oregon State University
- In-State Tuition for All: All online students pay in-state tuition regardless of their location.
- Inclusive Culture: OSU offers scholarships, engagement opportunities, and cultural support for Indigenous students.
- Asynchronous Online Learning: There are no scheduled class meeting times, so you can access your courses when it’s most convenient.
Know Before You Enroll
- OSU follows a quarter-based academic calendar, which means there are four terms (summer, fall, winter, and spring).
- Choose between a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science in elementary education.
58%
$12,675
88%
$37,860
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Students Enrolled
- 37,163
- Institution Type
- Public
Southwest Minnesota State University — Most Affordable Online Teaching Degree
- Marshall, MN
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Offers One of the Lowest Tuition Rates in the Country for Both In-State and Out-of-State Learners
SMSU offers six online education programs: BS in early childhood education, BS in early childhood special education, BS in elementary teacher education, BS in educational studies, BS in teaching English as a second language (ESL), and BS in special education academic behavioral strategy. Each program, except the BS in educational studies, prepares you for Minnesota licensure.
SMSU boasts one of the lowest tuition rates on our list. Online students qualify for in-state tuition no matter their location. Each credit costs approximately $323 plus fees.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $5,414.72 (15 credits
Out-of-State | $5,414.72 (15 credits)
Institutional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Leads to Licensure: Yes (except for the BS in educational studies program)
Why Students Choose Southwest Minnesota State University
- Virtual Library Access: Online students receive full digital access to the McFarland Library.
- Strong Support: Upon enrollment, access support from a student engagement specialist, a student retention specialist, and an academic advisor.
- Equivalent Education: SMSU’s expert on-campus instructors also teach online.
Know Before You Enroll
- Most education bachelor’s degree programs at SMSU require in-person field experiences.
- A minimum GPA of 2.5 (with a recommended GPA of 3.0) is required for admission.
- Only the elementary education program (without endorsement) and the elementary education program with pre-primary endorsement are available completely online.
24%
$9,370
73%
$9,370
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Students Enrolled
- 7,773
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Maine Online — Top Online Teaching Degree for Rural and Special Education Paths
- Orono, ME
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: One of the Few Affordable Online Programs That Combines Special Education Licensure with a Focus on Rural Education Strategies
UMaine Online's bachelor of science in rural education prepares you for teacher certification in Maine. You can specialize in special education, which prepares you to teach students in grades K-8 or 7-12 with mild to moderate disabilities. You can also complete an accelerated online master of education program in special education alongside your bachelor’s program, allowing you to finish both degrees in five years.
The cost per credit for in-state and Canadian students is $308 plus fees. Out-of-state students pay approximately $380 per credit, plus fees.
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $4,620 (15 credits)
Out-of-State | $5,700 (15 credits)
Institutional Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Leads to Certification: Yes
Why Students Choose the University of Maine at Machias
- Military-Friendly: Veterans, active-duty military personnel, and eligible dependents are eligible for in-state tuition rates regardless of their state of residence.
- Scholarship Availability: First-year and transfer students are eligible to apply for scholarships.
- Online Accessibility: Online students can access the Concierge Corner, which contains resources specifically for asynchronous learners.
Know Before You Enroll
- You must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be eligible for student teaching.
- Program courses are online, but you must complete in-person field placements in local classrooms.
- Special education is the only rural education concentration available online.
59%
$12,720
83%
$36,870
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Students Enrolled
- 12,029
- Institution Type
- Public
Price Check
Accelerated degree-seekers can save money by exploring the best online teaching degree programs that charge per-term rather than per-credit tuition.
More Popular Online Teaching Degrees
Why Choose Teaching?
Although challenging, a teaching career allows you to make a positive impact on children’s intellectual, social, and emotional development. The teaching field also features many specialization options and career pathways.
Online education offers numerous potential benefits, including flexible learning and often more affordable tuition. The best online teaching degrees also qualify you to apply to master’s and doctoral programs in education. You may need a master’s or doctorate to qualify for professional advancement, such as a career in school administration.
Career Outlook for Education Majors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 2% decline in the need for kindergarten and elementary school teachers between 2024 and 2034. Middle and high school teaching jobs may also experience the same contraction, according to the BLS. These projections suggest that current college students will enter a tight job market with more applicants than open positions.
| Job | Annual Median Wage (May 2024) |
|---|---|
| High School Teacher | $64,580 |
| Middle School Teacher | $62,970 |
| Special Education Teacher | $64,270 |
| Postsecondary Teacher | $83,980 |
| Elementary, Middle, or High School Principal | $104,070 |
Teaching Licensing and Certification Requirements
No matter your state of residence, becoming a licensed K-12 teacher involves:
- Earning a bachelor’s degree
- Completing a state-approved teacher-preparation program
- Completing student teaching
- Passing one or more exams, such as the Praxis
Your state may have licensure reciprocity with other states. Reciprocity means that you do not need to complete a lengthy application process if you decide to teach in another state. Visit the Education Commission of the States website to learn more about how reciprocity may impact your teaching career.
Ways to Save on a Teaching Degree
Although the best online teaching degrees charge relatively affordable tuition rates, you can further reduce your cost of attendance (COA) in other ways.
Explore Aid Exclusive to Education Majors
Financial aid for education majors includes private scholarships and grants. Eligibility requirements may include:
- Specializing in elementary education
- Membership in an honors society
- Preparing to teach a STEM subject
Submit the FAFSA Annually
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually may qualify you for federal grants and low-interest loans. Federal loans charge much lower interest rates than private student loans.
Start Your Education at a Community College
Community colleges feature a lower COA than public and private four-year colleges. You can earn an associate-for-transfer degree and then apply to bachelor’s-completion programs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Education Degrees
You need at least a bachelor’s degree to work as a public K-12 teacher. However, you can major in a subject besides education as long as you complete a state-approved teacher-preparation program.
Consider a master’s in teaching program if you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than education. Master’s in education programs, such as special education, train experienced educators in the latest teaching best practices and qualify them for professional advancement.
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