10 Free Elementary Education Degrees 2025

The ever-rising costs associated with college enrollment often serve as a deterrent to aspiring learners. There has been a growing movement by schools to offer tuition-free learning in an attempt to lower the cost of earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

Even though the degree programs that we list below still have some costs, usually exam fees, supplies, and room and board, they either do not charge tuition, or they have programs in place to help cover tuition costs for eligible students. By learning more about these affordable online elementary degree programs, you'll be able to start your career as a teacher without financial stress.

Top Free Elementary Education Degree Programs

Finding an accredited institution with degrees in elementary or early childhood education isn't too difficult, but it can be harder to find one with little to no tuition cost. There aren't truly free degree programs for becoming an elementary school teacher, but there are many with reduced tuition rates.

Most of these schools have specific criteria to determine tuition-free eligibility or receive increased financial aid, but most students can learn their financial aid options by submitting their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

1. Alice Lloyd College

Alice Lloyd College, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), is located in Caney Creek, KY, and offers a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education. This degree prepares students to pursue their teaching license after completing their degree and student teaching experience.

ALC has a tuition promise program for students in 108 different Appalachian counties and guarantees full tuition coverage through grants, scholarships, and other programs. Students will still be responsible for some other costs, primarily housing.

2. Berea College

Berea College offers a Bachelor of Arts in education studies with an elementary education program. This higher education institution has been supporting students with $0 tuition since 1892. Beyond tuition costs, 77% of students at Berea have housing, fees, and other expenses fully covered. The Berea education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

3. College of the Ozarks

Students at the College of the Ozarks can pursue a Bachelor of Science with an elementary education major. Learners review teaching methods and how to make their learning environments accessible to all. Individual courses cover social studies, language arts, math, and general education.

Most students graduate without having to pay any expenses out of pocket through a combination of the College of The Ozarks scholarships, work-study programs, and various grants.

4. New Hampshire University

New Hampshire University offers an integrated licensure elementary education Bachelor of Arts that allows students to learn the ins and outs of making lesson plans and classroom management for young children.

New Hampshire-based students in a four-year degree program can apply for the Granite Guarantee, which allows them to take advantage of a free tuition program. Students who qualify for the Pell Grant will be eligible for this last-dollar program that fills in the gap between federal aid, scholarships, and total tuition costs.

5. University of the People

The University of the People, accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), is a tuition-free college that offers a Master of Education degree. Because this program is a master's degree, students must have a bachelor's degree to meet admission requirements.

The University of the People's online learning is offered on a ''pay as you go'' model, where students pay for examination fees instead of tuition. UoP is a fully asynchronous online program, meaning students don't have to worry about start dates or meet deadlines.

6. The University of Tennesee

Students at the University of Tennesee (UT) can pursue a Bachelor of Science in education with a concentration on elementary education. Tennesee residents can participate in the UT Promise, a last-dollar scholarship that guarantees free tuition and mandatory fee coverage to eligible residents.

7. Arkansas State University

The Bachelor of Science in elementary education at Arkansas State University prepares graduates to work with kindergarten through sixth-grade students. ASU also has expansive financial aid programs available to on-campus students.

The A-State Promise Plus provides full tuition coverage to eligible Arkansans, but multiple other scholarships can cover large portions of tuition and can be combined with federal and state aid programs.

8. Ball State University

Ball State's School of Education is one of the top-ranking programs in the U.S. Students receive field experience and complete credit hours under the instruction of experienced education teachers.

Students can enroll in one of the education degree programs, including an elementary education major and a dual major program with a focus on special education.

Indiana residents can qualify for the Frank O'Bannon Higher Education Award to help cover tuition costs. This award is calculated based on a graduated scale tied to your school's costs with academic bonuses if certain GPA and credit hour totals are met.

9. Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University offers a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and teaching. This degree program grants students eligibility to earn a Virginia state license to teach PK-6th grade.

VCU participates in the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program. This program awards varying amounts based on financial needs, but some eligible students will have their full tuition costs covered.

10. Concordia College

Concordia College's school of education offers multiple different education degrees, including an elementary education major. Concordia has multiple financial aid programs in place including ones based on standardized test scores and GPA.

The full tuition coverage program called the Concordia Promise gives students from families with an adjusted gross income of less than $90,000 full tuition coverage.

How To Make Your Degree Free or Low-Cost

A college degree is an investment, but that doesn't mean you should have to put yourself in debt to earn one. There are multiple steps you can take to reduce the total costs of your education degree.

Financial Aid

All students should fill out their FAFSA forms yearly, regardless of degree level or type. This document is used to determine financial need for all federal aid programs, but many schools also use this form to determine financial need for their programs.

Scholarships

Apply for as many scholarships as you can find. Some providers offer scholarships for specific degree programs, like elementary education. Finding these specialized scholarships for teachers can reduce the applicant pool, increasing your chances of receiving funds.

Grant Programs

Grant programs are like scholarships, but many involve recurring payments while scholarships tend to be one-time awards. Filing your FAFSA forms will automatically submit you into consideration for many grant programs for teachers.

Online Elementary Education Degree Programs

Online bachelor's degrees are often more affordable than on-campus degrees. Finding fully online elementary education degree programs can save you money and their flexible schedules allow you to continue working, which makes it easier to pay off your degree as you go.

Degree Completion Programs

Degree completion programs allow you to transfer credits or an associate degree from a community college to a four-year university. These programs allow students to take general education or prerequisite courses at more affordable institutions before finishing their degree.

What To Look for in a Free or Low-Cost Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree Program

Finding a low-cost or free elementary education degree program might seem too good to be true, and sometimes it is. To make the most of your degree, there are a few criteria you need to look for.

The biggest is accreditation. If you want to apply for licensure, you'll need to complete an accredited program. Additionally, make sure that your program has student teaching experiences to help you satisfy other licensure requirements.