Best Bachelor's in Educational Technology Programs in 2026
All 11 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database, ranked on graduation rate, affordability, and more. CIP 13.0501.
Educational and instructional technology programs teach you how people learn with digital tools and how to design, build, and manage those tools in classrooms, colleges, and workplaces. Coursework typically covers instructional design, learning theory, multimedia development, learning management systems, and how to measure whether a lesson actually works. Graduates often become instructional designers, e-learning developers, educational technology coordinators, or training specialists rather than classroom teachers. The ranking below compares bachelor's programs on cost, graduation rate, and related outcomes so you can weigh your options.
- In-state tuition typically runs from $4,560 to $33,072 a year, with a median near $10,052.
- 8 of 11 ranked programs sit at public universities, and 8 offer an online or hybrid option.
- We rank on graduation rate first, then selectivity and affordability, all from federal IPEDS data.
- 1
University of West Florida
76score- 59%Grad rate
- $3,735/yrIn-state tuition
- $16,004/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 58%Admit rate
- 9,970Undergrads
- 18Grads/yr
- 1125SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in Instructional Design and Technology
- Online
About the programRather than preparing classroom teachers, the University of West Florida's Bachelor of Science in Instructional Design and Technology trains professionals to improve learning and performance inside organizations. Its 120 semester hour curriculum builds from a broad elective foundation toward a substantial major core, where students study adult learning theory, instructional design, human performance technology, and multimedia development before pulling the pieces together in a capstone. Because the work is grounded in how adults actually learn on the job, graduates are ready to design training for business, healthcare, military, and similar settings. The program runs fully online, which suits working students fitting coursework around existing careers. It does not lead to a state teaching license. This program offers a bachelor's degree in educational technology in Florida.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWhere it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 59% of students graduate, top 40% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 58% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $3,735 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.
- 2
Mississippi State University
75score- 67%Grad rate
- $10,052/yrIn-state tuition
- $27,487/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 78%Admit rate
- 18,567Undergrads
- 15Grads/yr
- 1225SAT mid
- Learning and User Experience Design (LUX), B.S.
About the programMississippi State's answer to instructional technology at the undergraduate level is the Bachelor of Science in Learning and User Experience Design, or LUX, a 120 to 121 hour program in the College of Education's Department of Technology, Leadership and Design. Rather than training classroom teachers, it teaches students to design learning experiences and instructional products for a range of settings, from schools and higher education to industry, which gives the degree an applied, design-studio character. The catalog is explicit that this is a non-teaching major and does not lead to teacher licensure, so it suits students drawn to how people learn more than to running a classroom. LUX is the department's current form of this track, having replaced its earlier Information Technology Services bachelor's degree. As a bachelor's degree in educational technology, it adds to the bachelor's-level educational technology options in Mississippi.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. Its strongest card is completion: a 67% graduation rate lands it in the top 1% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 78% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Tuition is middle of the road for programs nationwide at $10,052 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.
- 3
Asbury University
68score- 65%Grad rate
- $33,072/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 63%Admit rate
- 1,789Undergrads
- 5Grads/yr
- Multimedia Design (Learning Design & Technology concentration)
- Online
About the programThe 63-credit program (24 core plus 18 to 21 concentration credits, plus general education) also offers a Digital Media concentration. A +Grad pathway lets students finish a related master's in as few as 12 additional months. The page carries no stated programmatic accreditation, licensure pathway, or fieldwork requirement. This program offers a bachelor's degree in educational technology in Kentucky.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. Start with the outcome that matters most, 65% of students graduate, top 10% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 63% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $33,072 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.
- 4
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
60score- 62%Grad rate
- $9,638/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 87%Admit rate
- 8,553Undergrads
- 12Grads/yr
- 1030SAT mid
- Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development (OLID)
- Online
About the programSouthern Illinois University Carbondale's Organizational Learning, Innovation, and Development degree is a Bachelor of Science that steps outside the K-12 classroom. Offered through the School of Education fully online, with hybrid and on-campus options for those who want them, it centers on how adults learn and how effective training gets designed. The program points graduates toward instructional design and workplace learning, in roles such as instructional technologist, curriculum developer, and training director, and it applies across corporate, government, military, and educational settings. Because it is not a K-12 licensure path, it suits students drawn to teaching and learning without a traditional classroom, though graduates can still pursue Illinois career and technical endorsements in fields such as business, marketing, and technology education. The flexible online format fits working adults especially well. It is a bachelor's degree in educational technology at the bachelor's level, based in Illinois.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. Its strongest card is completion: a 62% graduation rate lands it in the top 20% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Admission is close to open access at 87%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. Tuition is middle of the road for programs nationwide at $9,638 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.
- 5
University of Michigan-Dearborn
54score- 58%Grad rate
- $15,240/yrIn-state tuition
- $32,496/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 56%Admit rate
- 6,187Undergrads
- 2Grads/yr
- 1123SAT mid
- Bachelor of Arts in Instructional Design and Learning Technologies
About the programUnlike most degrees in its college, the University of Michigan-Dearborn's Bachelor of Arts in Instructional Design and Learning Technologies is not about classroom licensure at all. Housed in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services, this interdisciplinary program readies students to design learning experiences as instructional designers, e-learning developers, or training specialists across academic, corporate, non-profit, and government settings. The 120-credit degree centers on a 48-credit major, built from a 36-credit core plus specialization work in areas such as digital design, media, and program evaluation, and it puts students into a required internship, EDT 462. Ambitious students can use a 4+1 accelerated option to count up to 15 graduate credits toward a master's. It is a non-licensure degree throughout. It is a bachelor's degree in educational technology at the bachelor's level, based in Michigan.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThree things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. On completion, the heaviest factor, it lands mid-pack among programs nationwide at 58%, solid without being a standout. A 56% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $15,240 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.
- 6
Utah State University
50score- 59%Grad rate
- $7,627/yrIn-state tuition
- $24,060/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 92%Admit rate
- 25,706Undergrads
- 46Grads/yr
- 1180SAT mid
- Human Experience Design and Interaction
- Online
About the programUtah State University's Bachelor of Science in Human Experience Design and Interaction sits at the meeting point of design and learning science, and it is a UX degree rather than a teacher licensure pathway. Offered through the Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Department in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, its 61-credit major blends design thinking with how people learn, plus technology tools, project management, and data analysis, and USU calls it the first degree of its kind in the state. Students personalize the path by choosing two emphasis areas from options such as game studies, multimedia, culturally responsive design, and product development. A capstone project or internship then turns that coursework into something students can show. The degree is available fully online through USU Online as well as on campus. As a bachelor's degree in educational technology, it adds to the bachelor's-level educational technology options in Utah.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts rank is built from three numbers: graduation rate, admission rate, and in-state tuition, in that order of weight. Its strongest card is completion: a 59% graduation rate lands it in the top 40% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Admission is close to open access at 92%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. Cost only helps its case: at $7,627 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.
- 7
Kennesaw State University
47score- 52%Grad rate
- $4,560/yrIn-state tuition
- $16,488/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 69%Admit rate
- 42,760Undergrads
- 4Grads/yr
- 1110SAT mid
- Learning, Design, and Technology
- On-campus
About the programKennesaw State University's Bachelor of Science in Learning, Design, and Technology is for students fascinated by how people learn and how good instruction gets built, rather than by classroom licensure. Offered through the School of Instructional Technology and Innovation in the Bagwell College of Education, the 120 credit hour program teaches students to design, develop, and evaluate learning solutions for face-to-face, online, and hybrid settings. Coursework moves from lower-division foundations into applied major study, then culminates in an on-site internship and a capstone project that puts the skills to work. KSU notes that it is the only Georgia university offering this field at the undergraduate level, since it usually appears only in graduate study. Delivered on the Kennesaw campus with Fall and Spring entry, it is a non-licensure instructional design degree. As a bachelor's degree in educational technology, it adds to the bachelor's-level educational technology options in Georgia.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWhere it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. The sticking point is completion, the factor we weigh most heavily: at 52% the graduation rate trails the national median, which caps how high it can climb. A 69% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $4,560 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.
- 8
Wayne State University
37score- 58%Grad rate
- $14,274/yrIn-state tuition
- $32,765/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 81%Admit rate
- 16,012Undergrads
- 1Grads/yr
- 1165SAT mid
About the programWayne State University offers a bachelor's level program in Educational and Instructional Technology at its Detroit campus. This area of study focuses on the design, development, and use of technology to support teaching and learning, spanning instructional design, digital media, and the tools used to create and deliver educational experiences. Students in the field examine how learning is planned, built, and delivered with technology. This program offers a bachelor's degree in educational technology in Michigan.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. On completion, the heaviest factor, it lands mid-pack among programs nationwide at 58%, solid without being a standout. A 81% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $14,274 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.
- 9
University of New Mexico-Main Campus
29score- 55%Grad rate
- $8,502/yrIn-state tuition
- $31,422/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 95%Admit rate
- 17,450Undergrads
- 10Grads/yr
- 1030SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in Instructional Technology & Training
- Online
About the programThe University of New Mexico's Bachelor of Science in Instructional Technology & Training, offered through the Organization, Information & Learning Sciences department, is built for students who want to design learning for adults and organizations rather than lead a K-12 classroom. Delivered fully online with 8-week and 16-week course options, it requires at least 121 credit hours, including 60 hours of major requirements and a 30-hour technical concentration that students shape with an advisor. Its structure as a 2 plus 2 transfer program makes it especially welcoming to those arriving with two years of prior college credit. This is a workforce and instructional-design degree, not a teacher licensure route, and its aim is clear. Graduates are prepared to build training across private-sector, non-profit, healthcare, government, and military settings. As a bachelor's degree in educational technology, it adds to the bachelor's-level educational technology options in New Mexico.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThree things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. The sticking point is completion, the factor we weigh most heavily: at 55% the graduation rate trails the national median, which caps how high it can climb. Admission is close to open access at 95%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. Cost only helps its case: at $8,502 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.
- 10
Ashford University
23score- 11%Grad rate
- $11,040/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 21,113Undergrads
- 31Grads/yr
- Bachelor of Arts in Instructional Design
- Online
About the programThe Bachelor of Arts in Instructional Design at University of Arizona Global Campus (formerly Ashford University) is a fully online, accelerated program aimed at people who want to design learning rather than teach in a K-12 classroom. Offered through the College of Professional Advancement, its 120 credits combine general education, a 39-credit major, and a generous block of electives, with 30 upper-division credits required along the way. The curriculum is grounded in the IBSTPI competencies, the professional standards for instructional designers, and it trains students to build training and instruction for online, place-based, and blended settings. That focus on design work in varied environments gives the degree a distinctly practical, workforce-oriented shape. It is not intended to meet state requirements for teacher licensure or certification. This program offers a bachelor's degree in educational technology in California.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. The sticking point is completion, the factor we weigh most heavily: at 11% the graduation rate trails the national median, which caps how high it can climb. The one drag is price, $11,040 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.
- 11
Academy of Art University
22score- 34%Grad rate
- $29,736/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 3,644Undergrads
- 6Grads/yr
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education
- Online
About the programAcademy of Art University offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education through its School of Art Education, available online and on campus. The curriculum blends teaching pedagogy with a core in art and design, supported by liberal arts study and art and design electives. Fieldwork is woven through several courses, including one on technology integration that covers multimedia production and technological literacy for teaching and creating art. As a bachelor's degree in educational technology, it adds to the bachelor's-level educational technology options in California.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWe rank on the things that actually shape a teaching degree: whether students finish, how hard it is to get in, and the price of admission. The sticking point is completion, the factor we weigh most heavily: at 34% the graduation rate trails the national median, which caps how high it can climb. The one drag is price, $29,736 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.
How we rank
Each program is scored 0 to 100 against the other programs in its specialty: graduation rate (50%), selectivity by admission rate (30%), and affordability by in-state tuition (20%). Scores are percentile-based within the specialty, so they compare like with like. A program missing a field gets the neutral median for it, so it is neither rewarded nor punished. Earnings are intentionally excluded: federal per-school earnings are not yet published for education programs, and the field-level salary figure is identical for every school, so ranking on it would be meaningless. To keep the overall list from being dominated by a single state's public-university system, it shows at most 2 programs per state; the value, affordability, graduation-rate, and selectivity pages rank every program without that limit.
- Graduation rate: 50%
- Selectivity (admission rate): 30%
- Affordability (in-state tuition): 20%
How much a bachelor's in Educational Technology program costs
Published in-state tuition across the 11 ranked bachelor's programs typically runs from $4,560 to $33,072 a year, with a median near $10,052. Most of that spread is public versus private: public universities charge state residents the least, while private colleges set a single sticker price that applies to everyone. 8 of the 11 programs here are public, which is usually where the lowest in-state numbers come from.
Sticker price is rarely what a student pays. Grants and scholarships lower the net cost, and future teachers have aid written specifically for them: the federal TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 a year to students who agree to teach a high-need subject in a low-income school, and many states add service scholarships and loan-forgiveness programs for people who commit to the classroom. Two costs to watch are out-of-state tuition, which at public schools often runs two to three times the resident rate, and mandatory fees and living expenses, which the tuition figure leaves out entirely.
Sources: tuition and program data from IPEDS; the TEACH Grant from Federal Student Aid.
Ways to earn your bachelor's in Educational Technology
A traditional four-year, on-campus bachelor's is the most common route into teaching, and for good reason: the degree leans on in-person field placements that build to a full term of student teaching. That said, 8 of the 11 ranked programs advertise an online or hybrid option, which can suit paraprofessionals and career-changers already working in schools; the clinical hours still take place in a real classroom near you.
You do not have to start at a four-year school. Many students spend their first two years at a community college, earn an associate's, and transfer in, which trims the cost of the early coursework, and statewide articulation agreements often guarantee the credits apply. If you already hold a bachelor's in another field, you can usually skip a second degree entirely and enter through an alternative-certification program or a master's-with-licensure route built for career-changers.
Whatever the format, the non-negotiable is supervised clinical practice. Every licensure-track program includes a student-teaching placement, and some now pair it with a paid, year-long residency alongside a mentor teacher, an increasingly common model that eases the unpaid-semester crunch traditional student teaching can create.
Sources: online and program counts from IPEDS; alternative-certification pathways per the US Department of Education.
How to become an instructional technologist
This is not an initial teaching-license path on its own, so the steps focus on building design skills and a portfolio that lead to real roles.
- 1
Earn the bachelor's degree
Complete a four-year program in educational or instructional technology, learning design, or a closely related field. Focus your electives on instructional design, media production, and data or assessment courses.
- 2
Build a portfolio
Create sample e-learning modules, job aids, videos, and course designs as you go. A strong portfolio of finished projects matters more to most employers than any single credential.
- 3
Learn the standard tools
Get comfortable with common authoring software, learning management systems, and basic video and graphics editing. These are the everyday tools of instructional designers and e-learning developers.
- 4
Gain applied experience
Look for internships, assistantships, or entry roles as a training assistant or junior instructional designer. Real projects in schools, companies, or nonprofits give you references and case studies.
- 5
Decide your path and add credentials as needed
If you want to work in a K-12 classroom, you will need a separate state teaching license through an approved preparation program. For corporate or higher-ed design roles, consider optional professional certificates or a master's later on.
Requirements summarized from each state's department of education and the relevant national accreditor. Exact requirements vary by state.
Frequently asked questions about a Bachelor's in Educational Technology
Do you need a bachelor's in educational technology to work in instructional technology?
To work in instructional technology, a bachelor's degree in educational technology, instructional design, or a related field is a solid entry point for many roles. Some design and training positions accept related degrees paired with a strong portfolio, and advanced or leadership roles often prefer a master's. What tends to matter most is demonstrated skill in designing learning that works.
How long does a bachelor's in educational technology take?
The bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study. Transfer credits, prior coursework, or an accelerated schedule can shorten that, while part-time enrollment can extend it. The ranking below lists graduation rates that hint at how long students actually take at each school.
Does a bachelor's in educational technology lead to a teaching license?
A bachelor's in educational technology does not lead to a teaching license by itself. This is generally not an initial-licensure program, so it does not automatically qualify you to teach in a public K-12 classroom. If a classroom role is your goal, you would complete a separate state-approved teacher preparation program, and specific requirements vary by state.
What jobs can you get with a bachelor's in educational technology?
A bachelor's in educational technology can lead to jobs such as instructional designer, e-learning developer, educational technology coordinator, training and development specialist, and learning experience designer. These roles show up in schools, universities, companies, government, and nonprofits. Pay varies widely by employer, sector, and location.
Can you earn a bachelor's in educational technology online?
Yes, you can earn a bachelor's in educational technology online, and this field is well suited to online study because the subject itself is about learning with technology. Many programs are offered fully online or in hybrid formats, and completing one online can double as hands-on experience with the digital tools you will use on the job. Check each program's format on its page below.
Is a bachelor's in educational technology worth it?
An instructional technology degree is worth it if you enjoy blending teaching, design, and technology and want flexibility beyond a single classroom. The skills transfer across education, corporate training, and healthcare or government training programs. Weigh the tuition and graduation-rate figures on this page against the roles you want to pursue.
Answers draw on IPEDS, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, and each state's department of education.
Data sources for our Bachelor's in Educational Technology ranking
- Program counts, tuition, graduation and admission rates: IPEDS, US Department of Education.
- Program descriptions: each school's official catalog and program pages.