Best Bachelor's in Elementary Education Programs in Idaho
All 7 Elementary Education bachelor's-level programs in Idaho, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.
A bachelor's in elementary education is the standard credential behind an Idaho teaching license, and Idaho has 7 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. The College of Idaho ranks first with a score of 75, on a 63 percent graduation rate.
Elementary school teachers in Idaho earn a median of $61,600 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, Idaho licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in Idaho on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.
- 1
The College of Idaho
75score- 63%Grad rate
- $36,750/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 49%Admit rate
- 1,041Undergrads
- 8Grads/yr
- 1175SAT mid
- Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Teaching
- On-campus
About the programThe College of Idaho keeps future teachers close to real classrooms throughout its Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Teaching, which leads to Idaho certification for grades K-8. Field experiences begin right away, starting with a student's very first education course, so candidates gain hands-on time in local classrooms early rather than waiting until the end of the degree. That practice builds toward a full internship semester of student teaching, during which candidates finish remaining licensure requirements while working alongside experienced teachers. Delivered on the Caldwell campus in partnership with area schools, the program keeps coursework and classroom work closely connected. For students who value learning by doing, it offers a steady, immersive path into elementary teaching. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Idaho's elementary school teachers.
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 63% graduation rate lands it in the top 17% of Idaho programs, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 49% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $36,750 in state, above the Idaho median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.
- 2
Northwest Nazarene University
74score- 71%Grad rate
- $40,024/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 65%Admit rate
- 1,043Undergrads
- 12Grads/yr
- 1123SAT mid
- Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- On-campus
About the programNorthwest Nazarene University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education on its Nampa, ID campus, preparing students for K-8 teacher certification. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and blends classroom coursework with hands-on experience starting in the first year. Candidates complete a semester-long internship that pairs methods courses with practical K-5 classroom experience under a master teacher's supervision. Graduates of this elementary education program report a near 100 percent employment rate among those seeking teaching jobs after earning teacher licensure. Among Idaho's 7 ranked bachelor's-level programs, this one posts the highest graduation rate at 71%. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Idaho's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWhere it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 71% of students graduate, top 1% among Idaho programs, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 65% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $40,024 in state, above the Idaho median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.
- 3
Boise State University
59score- 60%Grad rate
- $6,119/yrIn-state tuition
- $24,859/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 87%Admit rate
- 23,983Undergrads
- 90Grads/yr
- Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
About the programBoise State University's Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, offered through the College of Education, leads to K-8 licensure. Candidates earn the Idaho All Subjects K-8 endorsement plus one additional endorsement chosen from options such as Literacy, English as a Second Language, Bilingual Education, Middle School Math, or Middle School Science. Clinical work includes an internship semester in a local school followed by a full-time student teaching semester. The program holds CAEP accreditation. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Idaho.
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. Its strongest card is completion: a 60% graduation rate lands it in the top 33% of Idaho 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. Cost only helps its case: at $6,119 in state, tuition runs below the Idaho median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. Strong on the measures that matter most, it earns a place near the top.
- 4
University of Idaho
53score- 57%Grad rate
- $6,756/yrIn-state tuition
- $25,992/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 76%Admit rate
- 9,574Undergrads
- 38Grads/yr
- 1110SAT mid
- Elementary Education
About the programThe University of Idaho offers a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. The program prepares candidates for teacher licensure. The department houses several teacher preparation pathways alongside Elementary Education, including secondary education, career and technical education, and special education. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Idaho.
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 Idaho programs at 57%, solid without being a standout. A 76% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Tuition is middle of the road for Idaho programs at $6,756 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.
- 5
Brigham Young University-Idaho
37score- 55%Grad rate
- $4,800/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 96%Admit rate
- 45,585Undergrads
- 134Grads/yr
- 1085SAT mid
- Elementary Education (B.S.)
- AAQEP-accredited
- On-campus
About the programBreadth defines Brigham Young University-Idaho's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, which prepares candidates for teacher licensure across grades K through 8 and asks each student to choose a subject specialization in an area such as English/Language Arts, math, or science. Practice is plentiful, with five hands-on practicum experiences in partner schools where students sharpen classroom management and teaching skills before taking charge of their own room. Coursework rounds out that fieldwork by digging into child development, technology integration, and differentiated instruction for diverse learners. The Rexburg program sits within the university's teacher preparation offerings, which hold accreditation through AAQEP. It is a hands-on degree built for future teachers who want both a wide grade range and a subject of their own. It carries the lowest in-state tuition among Idaho's 7 ranked bachelor's-level programs, at $4,800. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Idaho's elementary school teachers.
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. On completion, the heaviest factor, it lands mid-pack among Idaho programs at 55%, solid without being a standout. Admission is close to open access at 96%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. Cost only helps its case: at $4,800 in state, tuition runs below the Idaho median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.
- 6
Idaho State University
32score- 39%Grad rate
- $6,104/yrIn-state tuition
- $25,214/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 10,834Undergrads
- 27Grads/yr
- Elementary Education
- On-campus
About the programIdaho State University's Elementary Education degree, available as either a B.A. or a B.S., is designed for students who want to teach across the full kindergarten through 8th grade range. The coursework builds in layers, moving from general education into a 36-credit professional core and roughly 27 to 30 credits of elementary methods, then letting candidates deepen one area through a 21-credit emphasis in subjects such as mathematics, special education, or English as a second language. That structure lets a future teacher stay a generalist while gaining real strength in a chosen focus. Time in schools anchors the experience, from an early pre-internship field seminar to a full semester of student teaching beside cooperating teachers. Once certification exams are passed, graduates earn Idaho Teacher Certification. The program is offered on campus through the Department of Teaching and Educational Studies. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.
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 39% the graduation rate trails the Idaho median, which caps how high it can climb. Cost only helps its case: at $6,104 in state, tuition runs below the Idaho 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
Lewis-Clark State College
21score- 40%Grad rate
- $7,610/yrIn-state tuition
- $22,028/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 88%Admit rate
- 3,793Undergrads
- 32Grads/yr
- Elementary Education (B.A./B.S.)
- Online
About the programLewis-Clark State College's Elementary Education B.A./B.S. is built to put candidates in front of students early and often, leading to K-8 teacher licensure. Through the Teacher Education and Mathematics Division, students complete a year-long clinical internship in nearby elementary or middle schools, supported by both a faculty mentor and an on-site teacher educator. The degree also asks candidates to add a minor or endorsement in a second teaching area, with online options in Literacy and Special Education that broaden what a new teacher can offer. Flexibility runs throughout, with the program available on campus, online, in hybrid form, and through the PACE pathway in Coeur d'Alene. It holds CAEP accreditation, a signal of its national standing. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Idaho.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts rank is built from three numbers: graduation rate, admission rate, and in-state tuition, in that order of weight. The sticking point is completion, the factor we weigh most heavily: at 40% the graduation rate trails the Idaho median, which caps how high it can climb. Admission is close to open access at 88%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. The one drag is price, $7,610 in state, above the Idaho 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.
Key facts about a bachelor's in Elementary Education in Idaho
- Idaho has 7 accredited bachelor's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
- The College of Idaho ranks first among elementary education bachelor's programs in Idaho with a score of 75, on a 63 percent graduation rate.
- Brigham Young University-Idaho is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Idaho, at $4,800 a year in-state tuition.
- Northwest Nazarene University posts the highest graduation rate among elementary education programs in Idaho, at 71 percent.
- Elementary school teachers in Idaho earn a median of $61,600 a year (BLS), ranking Idaho 30 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
- 2 of the bachelor's in elementary education programs in Idaho offer an online or hybrid option.
- Idaho requires the Praxis licensure exam, administered through Idaho State Department of Education, Certification and Professional Standards, to earn a teaching license.
What a bachelor's in elementary education costs in Idaho (2026)
Published in-state tuition for a bachelor's in elementary education in Idaho runs from $4,800 to $40,024 a year across the 7 programs we rank, with a median of $6,756. The most affordable is Brigham Young University-Idaho at $4,800 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 55 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 Idaho
Elementary school teachers in Idaho earn a median of $61,600 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks Idaho 30 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 Idaho is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.
How to get an Idaho teaching license
To teach in Idaho you need a bachelor's in elementary education (or a bachelor's plus an approved preparation program), a supervised student-teaching placement, and an Idaho teaching license issued by Idaho State Department of Education, Certification and Professional Standards. Idaho calls the initial credential the Initial Certificate, and earning it means passing Praxis (The Praxis Series) plus a background check.
Confirm your elementary education program is currently approved by Idaho State Department of Education, Certification and Professional Standards before you enroll.
Sources: Idaho educator certification, Praxis exam
Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Idaho
Pick a bachelor's in elementary education in Idaho that is regionally accredited and whose educator-preparation program is approved by the Idaho Department of Education, ideally with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation. State approval is what lets the degree count toward an Idaho teaching license, and CAEP is the national standard for program quality, so confirm both before enrolling in any elementary education program in Idaho.
Sources: CAEP accreditation
Online and hybrid elementary education programs in Idaho
2 of the bachelor's in elementary education programs in Idaho offer an online or hybrid option. Online teacher-preparation still requires in-person student teaching, so these formats suit working adults and career changers who can complete supervised classroom hours locally while taking coursework online. An online bachelor's in elementary education from a state-approved, CAEP-accredited program leads to the same Idaho teaching license as an on-campus degree; the diploma does not distinguish the format.
Frequently asked questions about a bachelor's in Elementary Education in Idaho
How many bachelor's in elementary education programs are in Idaho?
There are 7 accredited bachelor's in elementary education programs in Idaho in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.
What is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Idaho?
Brigham Young University-Idaho is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Idaho, at $4,800 a year in in-state tuition.
How much do elementary school teachers make in Idaho?
Elementary school teachers in Idaho earn a median of $61,600 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 Idaho?
Idaho requires the Praxis (The Praxis Series) licensure exam, administered for Idaho State Department of Education, Certification and Professional Standards. See the <a href="https://www.ets.org/praxis" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">official exam page</a> for current test requirements.
Is a bachelor's in elementary education worth it in Idaho?
For most future teachers, yes. A bachelor's in elementary education in Idaho is the standard credential for an Idaho teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $61,600 a year in Idaho. 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 Idaho for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 7 bachelor's in elementary education in Idaho 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 Idaho.