Best Bachelor's in Elementary Education Programs in Connecticut

All 6 Elementary Education bachelor's-level programs in Connecticut, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.

A bachelor's in elementary education is the standard credential behind a Connecticut teaching license, and Connecticut has 6 accredited elementary education bachelor's programs to compare. This ranking scores every one on the outcomes that actually affect your return: graduation rate, in-state affordability, and selectivity, all pulled from the public federal IPEDS database. University of Connecticut ranks first with a score of 84, on a 83 percent graduation rate.

Elementary school teachers in Connecticut earn a median of $80,600 a year according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, against a national median of $63,970. Each section below covers a specific decision point, cost and real ROI, Connecticut licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in Connecticut on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.

6Programs analyzed
$6,998 to $37,490/yrIn-state tuition
$80,600/yrMedian elementary school teacher pay in Connecticut
University of ConnecticutTop-ranked

← Best Bachelor's in Elementary Education nationally

Elementary Education bachelor's-level programs in Connecticut, compared by score
1University of Connecticut84
2Eastern Connecticut State University66
3Western Connecticut State University50
4Central Connecticut State University42
5Southern Connecticut State University34
6Mitchell College0
  1. 1

    University of Connecticut

    Storrs, CTPublic

    84score
    • 83%Grad rate
    • $17,010/yrIn-state tuition
    • $39,678/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 52%Admit rate
    • 20,056Undergrads
    • 42Grads/yr
    • 1325SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Education (Integrated Bachelor's/Master's in Elementary Education, Grades PK-6)
    • CAEP-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Students who want to graduate with both an undergraduate degree and a teaching qualification in hand will find that structure at the University of Connecticut, where the Integrated Bachelor's/Master's in Elementary Education layers a Bachelor of Science in Education with a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction. Built at the Neag School of Education on the Storrs campus, the program points toward Connecticut certification for grades PK-6 and treats classroom time as central, asking candidates to complete nine credits of directed student teaching. Alongside that fieldwork, students deepen a chosen subject concentration in an area such as English, mathematics, or science. What gives the program its character is a steady emphasis on multicultural education and equity, so content knowledge and inclusive practice grow together. Its teacher preparation carries CAEP accreditation. Among Connecticut's 6 ranked bachelor's-level programs, this one posts the highest graduation rate at 83%. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Connecticut's elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    The 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 83% graduation rate lands it in the top 1% of Connecticut programs, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 52% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $17,010 in state, above the Connecticut median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.

    Program page
  2. 2

    Eastern Connecticut State University

    Willimantic, CTPublic

    66score
    • 58%Grad rate
    • $6,998/yrIn-state tuition
    • $10,496/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 83%Admit rate
    • 4,174Undergrads
    • 18Grads/yr
    • 1165SAT mid
    • Elementary Education Major (Bachelor's)
    • CAEP-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Eastern Connecticut State University offers a flexible, well-rounded Elementary Education major that prepares students for PreK-6 certification in Connecticut. Coursework spans pedagogy, content areas, and educational technology, and it comes anchored by more than 600 hours of classroom field experience that culminates in a senior-year student teaching placement. Students who want to broaden their preparation can pair the major with a dual content-area major and add endorsements in areas such as special education, music, or world languages. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. For those with an eye toward graduate study, Eastern offers a route to complete a master's degree in education with just one additional year, making it a strong base for continued advancement in teaching. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Connecticut.

    Why it ranks here

    Its place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. Start with the outcome that matters most, 58% of students graduate, top 20% among Connecticut programs, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 83% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Tuition is middle of the road for Connecticut programs at $6,998 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.

    Program page
  3. 3

    Western Connecticut State University

    Danbury, CTPublic

    50score
    • 52%Grad rate
    • $6,998/yrIn-state tuition
    • $10,498/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 87%Admit rate
    • 3,567Undergrads
    • 17Grads/yr
    • 1105SAT mid
    • Elementary Education: Interdisciplinary Major (grades 1-6)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Western Connecticut State University's Elementary Education Interdisciplinary Major is a B.S. that leads to Connecticut licensure for grades one through six. Designed with the Danbury and Bethel school districts, it runs as a cohort with an interdisciplinary curriculum that mirrors elementary content areas. The program culminates in two senior residency semesters, the second a full-time student teaching placement. Students study in the Education and Educational Psychology department on campus. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Connecticut.

    Why it ranks here

    Its 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 52% graduation rate lands it in the top 40% of Connecticut programs, 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 Connecticut programs at $6,998 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.

    Program page
  4. 4

    Central Connecticut State University

    New Britain, CTPublic

    42score
    • 48%Grad rate
    • $6,998/yrIn-state tuition
    • $10,498/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 73%Admit rate
    • 8,170Undergrads
    • 45Grads/yr
    • 1075SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
    About the program

    Central Connecticut State University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education readies candidates to teach PreK through grade 6 and carries them to initial certification. What gives the degree its shape is the pairing of professional coursework with a genuine subject-area major, chosen from fields such as English, general science, geography, history, or mathematics. Students spend roughly four semesters on general education before applying to the Professional Program in Education, the gateway to their professional courses, all housed in the Department of Literacy, Elementary, and Early Childhood Education. The program culminates in a full student teaching semester so absorbing that candidates take no other coursework, with field-based and performance-based assessments woven throughout. Its educator preparation holds CAEP accreditation through the end of 2029. It awards more bachelor's-level elementary education degrees than any of Connecticut's 6 ranked bachelor's-level programs, 45 in the most recent year. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Connecticut.

    Why it ranks here

    Its 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 48% the graduation rate trails the Connecticut median, which caps how high it can climb. A 73% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Tuition is middle of the road for Connecticut programs at $6,998 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.

    Program page
  5. 5

    Southern Connecticut State University

    New Haven, CTPublic

    34score
    • 50%Grad rate
    • $6,998/yrIn-state tuition
    • $10,498/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 91%Admit rate
    • 7,252Undergrads
    • 42Grads/yr
    • Elementary Education, B.S.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Southern Connecticut State University's Elementary Education B.S. prepares students to teach grades one through six and leads to Connecticut initial educator certification. Housed in the Curriculum and Learning department, the program pairs professional education coursework with a second major in Liberal Studies built from two elementary subjects such as English and mathematics. A bilingual concentration with study in English and Spanish is available, and candidates complete supervised fieldwork and a semester of student teaching with an accompanying seminar. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Connecticut.

    Why it ranks here

    We 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. On completion, the heaviest factor, it lands mid-pack among Connecticut programs at 50%, solid without being a standout. Admission is close to open access at 91%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. Tuition is middle of the road for Connecticut programs at $6,998 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.

    Program page
  6. 6

    Mitchell College

    New London, CTPrivate nonprofit

    0score
    • 42%Grad rate
    • $37,490/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 95%Admit rate
    • 442Undergrads
    • 3Grads/yr
    • Bachelor of Science in Integrated Early Childhood Education (PreK-Grade 3) Leading to Teacher Certification
    • CAEP-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Mitchell College builds its Bachelor of Science in Integrated Early Childhood Education around Connecticut certification for the PreK through Grade 3 years, a span few colleges in the state prepare teachers to cover. The 120-credit degree, housed in the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences, weaves in two supervised clinical field experiences during the junior and senior years before candidates step into full student teaching. Some of that practice happens close to home at the college's own Children's Learning Center, which doubles as a laboratory school alongside partner-school placements. That mix gives students both a controlled setting and real district classrooms in which to learn. Accreditation from CAEP for initial-level programs, together with Connecticut State Department of Education approval, backs the certification path. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Connecticut.

    Why it ranks here

    Three 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 42% the graduation rate trails the Connecticut 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. The one drag is price, $37,490 in state, above the Connecticut 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.

    Program page

Key facts about a bachelor's in Elementary Education in Connecticut

  • Connecticut has 6 accredited bachelor's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
  • University of Connecticut ranks first among elementary education bachelor's programs in Connecticut with a score of 84, on a 83 percent graduation rate.
  • Eastern Connecticut State University is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Connecticut, at $6,998 a year in-state tuition.
  • Elementary school teachers in Connecticut earn a median of $80,600 a year (BLS), ranking Connecticut 7 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
  • Connecticut requires the Praxis licensure exam, administered through Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Certification, to earn a teaching license.

What a bachelor's in elementary education costs in Connecticut (2026)

Published in-state tuition for a bachelor's in elementary education in Connecticut runs from $6,998 to $37,490 a year across the 6 programs we rank, with a median of $6,998. The most affordable is Eastern Connecticut State University at $6,998 a year. These are published sticker rates from IPEDS; most future teachers bring the net figure down with the Pell Grant, the federal TEACH Grant, and state teacher-preparation aid, so weigh net price, not the sticker.

Cost only means something next to completion. The elementary education programs ranked here average a 56 percent graduation rate, and a lower-priced program where fewer students finish is not necessarily the cheaper path to a degree. Compare tuition and graduation rate together above.

Sources: IPEDS tuition data

What elementary school teachers earn in Connecticut

Elementary school teachers in Connecticut earn a median of $80,600 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks Connecticut 7 of 51 states and territories for elementary school teachers pay. Nationally, pay for this occupation spans roughly $47,960 at the 10th percentile to $104,340 at the 90th, with a master's degree, years in the classroom, and the local district salary schedule driving the climb.

The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects 2 percent decline in elementary school teachers employment nationally from 2024 to 2034, with about 103,800 openings a year as teachers retire or change careers. A bachelor's in elementary education in Connecticut is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.

Sources: BLS OEWS wages, BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

How to get a Connecticut teaching license

To teach in Connecticut you need a bachelor's in elementary education (or a bachelor's plus an approved preparation program), a supervised student-teaching placement, and a Connecticut teaching license issued by Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Certification. Connecticut calls the initial credential the Initial Educator Certificate, and earning it means passing Praxis (The Praxis Series) plus a background check.

Confirm your elementary education program is currently approved by Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Certification before you enroll.

Sources: Connecticut educator certification, Praxis exam

Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Connecticut

Pick a bachelor's in elementary education in Connecticut that is regionally accredited and whose educator-preparation program is approved by the Connecticut Department of Education, ideally with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation. State approval is what lets the degree count toward a Connecticut teaching license, and CAEP is the national standard for program quality, so confirm both before enrolling in any elementary education program in Connecticut.

Sources: CAEP accreditation

Frequently asked questions about a bachelor's in Elementary Education in Connecticut

How many bachelor's in elementary education programs are in Connecticut?

There are 6 accredited bachelor's in elementary education programs in Connecticut in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.

What is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Connecticut?

Eastern Connecticut State University is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Connecticut, at $6,998 a year in in-state tuition.

How much do elementary school teachers make in Connecticut?

Elementary school teachers in Connecticut earn a median of $80,600 a year, according to <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252021.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics</a>, versus $63,970 nationally.

What exam do you need to teach in Connecticut?

Connecticut requires the Praxis (The Praxis Series) licensure exam, administered for Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Certification. See the <a href="https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/connecticut-overview.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">official exam page</a> for current test requirements.

Is a bachelor's in elementary education worth it in Connecticut?

For most future teachers, yes. A bachelor's in elementary education in Connecticut is the standard credential for a Connecticut teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $80,600 a year in Connecticut. Compare graduation rate and net price above to find the best value in 2026.

These are the best bachelor's in elementary education programs in Connecticut for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 6 bachelor's in elementary education in Connecticut above by graduation rate, tuition, and selectivity, then open each program page to take the next step toward teaching in an elementary school classroom in Connecticut.

Sources

Elementary Education in other states