10 Best Affordable Elementary Education Degrees

To teach in an elementary school, most states require at least a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Unfortunately, the cost of higher education can keep many students from pursuing their career goals.

To help you become an elementary school teacher, many colleges and universities make their programs affordable through low tuition rates, extensive financial aid packages, or both.

Top Affordable Elementary Education Degree Programs

Earning a degree in elementary education doesn't have to put you under mounds of student loan debt. There are several affordable elementary degree programs across the United States. We've highlighted 10 of these below, including some of the most affordable online elementary education degrees.

Note that all programs listed are regionally accredited and lead to teacher licensure in the state of the university.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, AZ. It offers a bachelor's degree in elementary education that includes a semester-long student teaching residency.

Tuition and fees for Arizona residents come to $13,353 per year on average, but the university offers and accepts several financial aid programs. One of these is the Arizona Promise Program, which covers remaining tuition and fees after scholarships and grants have been applied.

2. Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university in Bloomington, IN. It offers two elementary teaching options: a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and special education.

In-state students pay an average of $12,142 per year for tuition and fees. Several scholarships are available through the university's School of Education, and some students may qualify for the state's TEACH early childhood education scholarship.

3. Kansas State University

Kansas State University is a public research university in Manhattan, KS. It offers a bachelor's degree in elementary education that's available as an in-person and an online program.

Kansas residents pay an average of $12,418 per year in tuition and fees. K-State's College of Education offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for students in the in-person and online bachelor's degree programs.

4. Michigan State University

Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, MI. It's one of the top-rated universities for teacher education in the nation and offers a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education that students can complete through on-campus or online courses.

On average, the cost for in-state students is $16,526 per year. A variety of scholarships are available for undergraduate students pursuing teacher certification.

5. University of Florida

The University of Florida is a public research university in Gainesville, FL. It offers an elementary education program that includes pedagogy and teaching method coursework as well as teaching experiences.

Florida residents pay a tuition of roughly $6,380 per year. Both the College of Education and the Florida Department of Education offer scholarships to help students pay for their teaching degrees.

6. University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is a public research university in Athens, GA. It offers a bachelor's degree in education that includes coursework covering educational theory, elementary curricula, and methods courses in language, literacy, math, science, and social studies. Field experience is also included.

The tuition rate at the university is roughly $10,034 per semester for full-time students. The Mary Frances Early College of Education offers assistantships, scholarships, grants, and other financial awards to students through various departments.

7. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public research university in Champaign, IL. It offers a Bachelor of Science in elementary education that covers a variety of topics, including child development and classroom management.

In-state residents pay an average of $12,712 per year. The college automatically considers students for scholarships to help them pay for their tuition.

8. University of Virginia

The University of Virginia is a public research university in Charlottesville, VA. It offers a bachelor's degree in elementary education that combines foundational knowledge with significant field experience in real classroom settings.

Virginia residents pay an average of $15,784 per year in tuition and fees when studying full-time. The School of Education and Human Development participates in several fellowship and scholarship programs.

9. University of Wisconsin-Madison

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public research university in Madison, WI. Its elementary education program offers five certification options:

• kindergarten through ninth grade
• kindergarten through ninth grade and English as a second language (ESL) K-12
• kindergarten through ninth grade and early childhood education (ECE)
• kindergarten through ninth grade, early childhood education, and English as a second language
• kindergarten through ninth grade and special education K-12

Wisconsin residents pay $11,606 per year, on average, in tuition and fees, and out-of-state students from Minnesota pay $16,638. The university offers several financial aid options:

• Bucky's Tuition Promise guarantees a period of free tuition and segregated fees to incoming first-year and transfer students enrolled in an on-campus program, whose family's household adjusted gross income is $65,000 or less.
• The School of Education distributes over $1 million in scholarships and awards annually to deserving undergraduate students.
• The Teacher Pledge offers teacher education students up to the cost of in-state tuition, plus testing and licensing fees, in exchange for committing to teach in Wisconsin.

10. Utah State University

Utah State University is a public research university in Logan, UT. It offers a bachelor's degree in elementary education as well as a bachelor's degree in elementary education and special education.

Utah residents pay an average of $9,228 per year. The university offers multiple scholarships specifically for students studying elementary education.

FAQs About Colleges With Affordable Elementary Education Degrees

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about affordable elementary education degrees.

What Is the Average Cost of an Affordable Elementary Education Degree?

On average, in-state students can expect tuition rates of around $12,000 per year at public universities. However, this cost does not include things like course materials and housing expenses, nor does it include financial aid.

How Can I Reduce the Cost of My Degree?

There are a few things you can do to reduce the cost of your degree. These include:

• choose an in-state public school over an out-of-state or private school
• fill out the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) every year
• study full-time as opposed to part-time, as many schools offer a flat tuition rate for full-time programs
• pursue scholarship and fellowship opportunities through your college of education
• consider the Federal TEACH grant, which provides up to $4,000 per year to future teachers who agree to teach at a school that serves low-income students

Is an Elementary Education Degree Worth It?

For many students, an elementary education degree is worth it if they want to work with young children. To work in a public school, you must have a teaching license. Most states require at least a bachelor's degree in education to obtain a license.

These programs will teach you everything licensed teachers need to know, including instructional design, educational technology, and working with diverse learners. Those that are approved teacher preparation programs will also include the hands-on learning experiences, practicums, or internships required for a teaching certification.

Become an Elementary School Teacher

If you're interested in becoming an elementary school teacher and working with young learners, check out the accredited elementary education programs on Learn.org. Reach out to individual programs to learn more about their admissions requirements, curriculums, and any concentrations or specializations they offer.