Best Bachelor's in Elementary Education Programs in Maryland

All 11 Elementary Education bachelor's-level programs in Maryland, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.

A bachelor's in elementary education is the standard credential behind a Maryland teaching license, and Maryland has 11 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 Maryland-College Park ranks first with a score of 88, on a 89 percent graduation rate.

Elementary school teachers in Maryland earn a median of $77,680 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, Maryland licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in Maryland on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.

11Programs analyzed
$5,032 to $57,150/yrIn-state tuition
$77,680/yrMedian elementary school teacher pay in Maryland
University of Maryland-College ParkTop-ranked

← Best Bachelor's in Elementary Education nationally

Elementary Education bachelor's-level programs in Maryland, compared by score
1University of Maryland-College Park88
2Loyola University Maryland63
3Towson University58
4Mount St. Mary's University50
5Stevenson University48
6Coppin State University47
7Bowie State University45
8Salisbury University43
9McDaniel College37
10Morgan State University34
11Frostburg State University29
  1. 1

    University of Maryland-College Park

    College Park, MDPublic

    88score
    • 89%Grad rate
    • $10,087/yrIn-state tuition
    • $39,464/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 45%Admit rate
    • 31,133Undergrads
    • 42Grads/yr
    • 1465SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    The University of Maryland's College of Education offers a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a 115-credit program in the Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership department that prepares candidates to teach grades 1 through 6. Field experiences begin in the sophomore year, culminating in a year-long internship in a Professional Development School (TLPL489), with 9 credits in fall and 2 in spring. Graduates meet requirements for Maryland certification and reciprocity states through MSDE. The catalog states the College's educational programs are accredited/approved by AAQEP and MSDE. Delivered as a traditional on-campus program. Among Maryland's 11 ranked bachelor's-level programs, this one posts the highest graduation rate at 89%. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Maryland.

    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 89% graduation rate lands it in the top 1% of Maryland programs, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 45% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $10,087 in state, above the Maryland 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

    Loyola University Maryland

    Baltimore, MDPrivate nonprofit

    63score
    • 79%Grad rate
    • $57,150/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 75%Admit rate
    • 3,881Undergrads
    • 31Grads/yr
    • 1285SAT mid
    • Elementary Education major (Bachelor's)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Loyola University Maryland grounds its undergraduate Elementary Education major in a liberal arts core, so candidates study English, social studies, science, and math alongside their teaching preparation. Classroom experience starts early and stays constant, with field experience or service-learning built into every semester of the freshman, sophomore, and junior years. The program then culminates in a year-long senior internship in Baltimore-area public and parochial schools, where elementary candidates deliberately teach in two different schools at two different grade levels to broaden their range. Approved by the Maryland State Department of Education for initial teacher preparation, it leads to Maryland elementary certification and delivers instruction on campus. Students looking further ahead can also pursue a Fast-Track MAT option. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

    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. Start with the outcome that matters most, 79% of students graduate, top 10% among Maryland programs, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 75% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $57,150 in state, above the Maryland median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. Strong on the measures that matter most, it earns a place near the top.

    Program page
  3. 3

    Towson University

    Towson, MDPublicOnline available

    58score
    • 69%Grad rate
    • $7,530/yrIn-state tuition
    • $25,622/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 82%Admit rate
    • 16,264Undergrads
    • 87Grads/yr
    • 1093SAT mid
    • Major in Elementary Education
    • CAEP-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Towson University's Major in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach grades 1 through 6, with room to broaden their reach through a dual-licensure option in Early Childhood Education for PreK-6 or minors such as Linguistic Diversity. Housed in the College of Education, the roughly 123-credit program balances a foundation of core and pre-professional study with an equally substantial block of professional coursework, so subject knowledge and teaching craft develop side by side. What distinguishes it is the year-long Level III and IV internship in Professional Development Schools, which begins each August and immerses candidates in the rhythm of a full school year. Four internship levels in all mean fieldwork builds gradually rather than arriving all at once. Students can pursue the degree at the main campus, in Southern Maryland, or through a Shady Grove partnership, and the program holds CAEP accreditation continued through Spring 2030. It awards more bachelor's-level elementary education degrees than any of Maryland's 11 ranked bachelor's-level programs, 87 in the most recent year. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Maryland.

    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 69% graduation rate lands it in the top 20% of Maryland programs, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 82% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Tuition is middle of the road for Maryland programs at $7,530 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

    Mount St. Mary's University

    Emmitsburg, MDPrivate nonprofit

    50score
    • 65%Grad rate
    • $47,000/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 74%Admit rate
    • 1,830Undergrads
    • 23Grads/yr
    • 1164SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
    • AAQEP-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Mount St. Mary's University offers a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education through its Anthony F. and Alice G. Agnone School of Education, an on-campus major leading to Maryland certification for grades 1 to 6. The program is flexible about what a candidate can add, with optional endorsements in Special Education for grades 1 to 8 or Early Childhood Education for PreK-3 that widen where a graduate can teach. Preparation is meant to be applied, culminating in two internships and a professional seminar where students carry the strategies they have developed into authentic classrooms. Because every Mount education program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education, completion leads to certification eligibility in Maryland and in states with MSDE reciprocity, and the teacher education programs are accredited by AAQEP. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Maryland's elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Its place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. On completion, the heaviest factor, it lands mid-pack among Maryland programs at 65%, solid without being a standout. A 74% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $47,000 in state, above the Maryland median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.

    Program page
  5. 5

    Stevenson University

    Owings Mills, MDPrivate nonprofit

    48score
    • 68%Grad rate
    • $37,734/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 79%Admit rate
    • 3,106Undergrads
    • 20Grads/yr
    • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education: Liberal Arts and Technology
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Stevenson University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Liberal Arts and Technology, prepares candidates for Maryland certification in grades K-6 through a four-year sequence that keeps them in real classrooms from the start. Field placements begin in the very first year and continue through the second and third, so candidates experience a range of diverse school settings well before their final internship. That capstone internship spans a full 16 credits across the senior year, giving students an extended, immersive stretch of supervised teaching rather than a brief visit. The program's steady, year-by-year build makes it a strongly hands-on route into the profession. It is accredited by AAQEP and approved by the Maryland State Department of Education, and a Bachelor's to Master's option lets ambitious students earn an MEd in as little as five years. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Maryland's elementary school teachers.

    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. Its strongest card is completion: a 68% graduation rate lands it in the top 40% of Maryland programs, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 79% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $37,734 in state, above the Maryland median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. Strong on the measures that matter most, it earns a place near the top.

    Program page
  6. 6

    Coppin State University

    Baltimore, MDPublicHBCU

    47score
    • 26%Grad rate
    • $5,032/yrIn-state tuition
    • $11,956/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 46%Admit rate
    • 1,907Undergrads
    • 1Grads/yr
    • 950SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Coppin State University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, offered through the Department of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education, maps out a full 122-credit path from general education into a substantial block of teaching methods and classroom practice. The program builds toward the classroom in stages, with a senior-year practicum leading into directed teaching and a companion seminar, all placed at Professional Development School sites where candidates learn alongside working teachers. This staged, school-based structure gives students a steady on-ramp into real elementary classrooms rather than a single sink-or-swim placement. Delivered on campus, the program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education, recognized by the Association for Childhood Education International, and accredited by CAEP. Completion leads to Maryland teacher licensure. It carries the lowest in-state tuition among Maryland's 11 ranked bachelor's-level programs, at $5,032. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Maryland.

    Why it ranks here

    Where it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. The sticking point is completion, the factor we weigh most heavily: at 26% the graduation rate trails the Maryland median, which caps how high it can climb. A 46% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $5,032 in state, tuition runs below the Maryland 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.

    Program page
  7. 7

    Bowie State University

    Bowie, MDPublicHBCU

    45score
    • 38%Grad rate
    • $6,113/yrIn-state tuition
    • $16,833/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 72%Admit rate
    • 5,136Undergrads
    • 20Grads/yr
    • Elementary Education
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Bowie State University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, offered through its Department of Teaching, Learning and Professional Development, prepares candidates for Maryland certification to teach grades 1 to 6. The 123-hour program devotes a substantial core of 55 credits to professional education and culminates in a full-year internship set in a Professional Development School, where candidates work alongside mentor teachers in local elementary classrooms. Accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation signals that the training meets national standards. Distinctive touches extend the learning beyond the campus, including community partnerships such as work with NASA scientists on STEM integration, and students can tap resources like the Hattie Mae Strong Scholarship and the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

    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. The sticking point is completion, the factor we weigh most heavily: at 38% the graduation rate trails the Maryland median, which caps how high it can climb. A 72% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $6,113 in state, tuition runs below the Maryland median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.

    Program page
  8. 8

    Salisbury University

    Salisbury, MDPublic

    43score
    • 68%Grad rate
    • $7,860/yrIn-state tuition
    • $18,950/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 87%Admit rate
    • 6,288Undergrads
    • 67Grads/yr
    • 1250SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Salisbury University offers a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education that prepares candidates to teach grades 1 through 6 in Maryland. Students complete pre-professional coursework, apply to the Professional Teacher Education Program, and then move into professional courses, clinical experiences, and a culminating internship. The program leads to Maryland teacher certification and is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation. Classes are held on campus in Salisbury. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Maryland.

    Why it ranks here

    Where it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 68% of students graduate, top 40% among Maryland programs, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. 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 Maryland programs at $7,860 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.

    Program page
  9. 9

    McDaniel College

    Westminster, MDPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    37score
    • 63%Grad rate
    • $51,106/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 78%Admit rate
    • 1,620Undergrads
    • 14Grads/yr
    • Elementary Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    McDaniel College's Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education prepares candidates for Maryland certification in grades 1-6 through a residential, on-campus experience with deep roots, as the college notes it has offered teacher preparation and certification for more than 110 years. Based in the Education Department, the program combines required internship and student teaching placements in local elementary schools with the chance to broaden one's teaching profile through PreK-12 specialization minors in subjects such as art, music, and world languages, or a secondary education minor. That flexibility lets candidates shape a path that fits their interests while staying grounded in classroom practice. The program is AAQEP-accredited through June 2029. Completers are eligible for certification in Maryland and, through reciprocity agreements, in more than 45 other states, giving graduates real geographic reach. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Maryland's elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Its rank is built from three numbers: graduation rate, admission rate, and in-state tuition, in that order of weight. On completion, the heaviest factor, it lands mid-pack among Maryland programs at 63%, solid without being a standout. A 78% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $51,106 in state, above the Maryland 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.

    Program page
  10. 10

    Morgan State University

    Baltimore, MDPublicHBCU

    34score
    • 41%Grad rate
    • $5,698/yrIn-state tuition
    • $16,593/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 82%Admit rate
    • 9,027Undergrads
    • 40Grads/yr
    • 955SAT mid
    • Elementary Education (Grades 1-6), B.S.
    About the program

    Morgan State University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach grades 1 through 6 and leads to teacher licensure through the Department of Teacher Education and Professional Development. The 120-credit degree divides into a large core of major education courses, a general education foundation, supporting coursework, and a couple of university credits, giving students both breadth and a heavy dose of professional preparation. What sets the program apart is its grounding in structured literacy: beyond the department's CAEP accreditation, the undergraduate program has earned separate accreditation from the International Dyslexia Association. Morgan State describes itself as the first HBCU to secure IDA accreditation for its undergraduate teacher preparation, a distinction that signals real emphasis on how children learn to read. Graduates leave equipped to seek elementary licensure. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Maryland.

    Why it ranks here

    Its 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 41% the graduation rate trails the Maryland median, which caps how high it can climb. A 82% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $5,698 in state, tuition runs below the Maryland median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.

    Program page
  11. 11

    Frostburg State University

    Frostburg, MDPublic

    29score
    • 50%Grad rate
    • $7,254/yrIn-state tuition
    • $22,848/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 89%Admit rate
    • 3,422Undergrads
    • 11Grads/yr
    • Elementary Education
    About the program

    Frostburg State University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, offered through its Department of Educational Professions, prepares candidates to teach across the elementary grades and leads to Maryland teacher licensure. What gives the program some room to breathe is an individualized concentration option, which lets students shape part of their studies around a particular interest such as foreign language or technology. For those who want a broader credential, separate dual-certification tracks are offered as distinct programs, so students can aim wider without losing focus. The teacher education programs hold accreditation from CAEP and approval from the Maryland State Department of Education. Together these pieces make for a degree that is structured yet flexible enough to follow a student's own strengths. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Maryland.

    Why it ranks here

    Where it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. The sticking point is completion, the factor we weigh most heavily: at 50% the graduation rate trails the Maryland median, which caps how high it can climb. Admission is close to open access at 89%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. Cost only helps its case: at $7,254 in state, tuition runs below the Maryland 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.

    Program page

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

  • Maryland has 11 accredited bachelor's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
  • University of Maryland-College Park ranks first among elementary education bachelor's programs in Maryland with a score of 88, on a 89 percent graduation rate.
  • Coppin State University is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Maryland, at $5,032 a year in-state tuition.
  • Elementary school teachers in Maryland earn a median of $77,680 a year (BLS), ranking Maryland 10 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
  • 2 of the bachelor's in elementary education programs in Maryland offer an online or hybrid option.
  • Maryland requires the Praxis licensure exam, administered through Maryland State Department of Education, to earn a teaching license.

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

Published in-state tuition for a bachelor's in elementary education in Maryland runs from $5,032 to $57,150 a year across the 11 programs we rank, with a median of $7,860. The most affordable is Coppin State University at $5,032 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 60 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 Maryland

Elementary school teachers in Maryland earn a median of $77,680 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks Maryland 10 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 Maryland is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.

Sources: BLS OEWS wages, BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

How to get a Maryland teaching license

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

Maryland requires Praxis Core basic-skills tests (waived with a 3.0 GPA), subject-area Praxis tests, and a pedagogy assessment via edTPA or PPAT. Confirm your program is currently state-approved before you enroll.

Sources: Maryland educator certification, Praxis exam

Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Maryland

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

Sources: CAEP accreditation

Online and hybrid elementary education programs in Maryland

2 of the bachelor's in elementary education programs in Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland

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

There are 11 accredited bachelor's in elementary education programs in Maryland in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.

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

Coppin State University is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Maryland, at $5,032 a year in in-state tuition.

How much do elementary school teachers make in Maryland?

Elementary school teachers in Maryland earn a median of $77,680 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 Maryland?

Maryland requires the Praxis (The Praxis Series) licensure exam, administered for Maryland State Department of Education. 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 Maryland?

For most future teachers, yes. A bachelor's in elementary education in Maryland is the standard credential for a Maryland teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $77,680 a year in Maryland. 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 Maryland for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 11 bachelor's in elementary education in Maryland 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 Maryland.

Sources

Elementary Education in other states