Best Bachelor's in Elementary Education Programs in Oregon
All 9 Elementary Education bachelor's-level programs in Oregon, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.
A bachelor's in elementary education is the standard credential behind an Oregon teaching license, and Oregon has 9 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. Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies ranks first with a score of 68.
Elementary school teachers in Oregon earn a median of $77,130 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, Oregon licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in Oregon on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.
- 1
Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies
68score- $14,640/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 59%Admit rate
- 144Undergrads
- 3Grads/yr
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Elementary Education (BSED)
- On-campus
About the programWarner Pacific University's Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Elementary Education is shaped around the people it serves, working adults and current para-educators already employed across six Multnomah County school districts. Offered in person as a cohort through the School of Education, the Paraprofessional Educator Program lets candidates advance toward full licensure without leaving the classrooms and colleagues they know. The 59-credit major culminates in a 15-week, full-time student teaching experience paired with a professional development seminar, so theory and daily practice reinforce each other. Graduates prepare for the Elementary Education Multiple Subjects endorsement, and they complete the edTPA and ORELA content assessments that satisfy Oregon's Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. The result is a practical, work-embedded route into elementary teaching designed for adults already committed to schools. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Oregon.
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. A 59% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $14,640 in state, tuition runs below the Oregon median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.
- 2
Oregon State University
62score- 70%Grad rate
- $11,910/yrIn-state tuition
- $35,700/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 77%Admit rate
- 31,253Undergrads
- 25Grads/yr
- 1270SAT mid
- Elementary Education, B.S. (also B.A.)
- Online
About the programOregon State's online Elementary Education degree, offered by the College of Education through Ecampus, requires a minimum of 180 quarter credits, at least 60 upper-division. The final two years form the Professional Level, with a yearlong classroom practicum in Year 3 and a yearlong in-person student teaching internship in Year 4. Graduates are eligible for the Oregon Elementary Education Multiple-Subject License. Coursework is delivered online while clinical placements are completed in person. Per the university catalog, all teacher education programs are fully accredited by CAEP. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Oregon.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWhere it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 70% of students graduate, top 43% among Oregon programs, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 77% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $11,910 in state, tuition runs below the Oregon median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.
- 3
University of Portland
58score- 80%Grad rate
- $56,800/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 89%Admit rate
- 2,986Undergrads
- 15Grads/yr
- 1265SAT mid
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Elementary Education
- On-campus
About the programThe University of Portland offers a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education through its School of Education, leading to a recommendation for an Oregon P-12 multiple subjects preliminary license. Accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation, the program builds in more than 1,200 hours of field experience beginning in the first semester and culminates in multi-subject student teaching. An ESOL endorsement is available with added coursework. Classes are held on campus. Among Oregon's 9 ranked bachelor's-level programs, this one posts the highest graduation rate at 80%. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Oregon.
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 80% graduation rate lands it in the top 1% of Oregon programs, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Admission is close to open access at 89%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. The one drag is price, $56,800 in state, above the Oregon 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.
- 4
Bushnell University
55score- 56%Grad rate
- $35,500/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 67%Admit rate
- 520Undergrads
- 6Grads/yr
- 19ACT mid
- Teacher Education - Elementary Education Concentration
- On-campus
About the programBushnell University's Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education with an Elementary Education concentration, offered through its School of Education, prepares candidates to teach grades K through 6 in a close-knit, hands-on setting. The concentration itself covers the full sweep of elementary teaching, from child development and literacy methods to math, science, health, and the arts. What stands out is the scale of practice and the intimacy of the classes, with cohorts of just 6 to 12 students taught by faculty who have K-12 experience and more than 1,000 hours of field experience arranged in Oregon districts within about 30 miles of campus. Candidates can pair the degree with endorsements in areas such as ESOL, Special Education, or Reading Interventionist. The program is AAQEP-accredited and approved for licensure by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Oregon.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts 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 Oregon programs at 56%, solid without being a standout. A 67% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $35,500 in state, above the Oregon median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.
- 5
George Fox University
52score- 72%Grad rate
- $40,600/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 94%Admit rate
- 3,354Undergrads
- 38Grads/yr
- 1205SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in Education (Elementary Education)
- On-campus
About the programGeorge Fox University's Bachelor of Science in Education with an Elementary Education concentration is a traditional four-year, on-campus program built on a 37-credit Education Core, with the concentration running 37 to 42 credits depending on whether the optional Mid-Level Authorization for grades 5-10 is added. Students complete a full year of student teaching, including Practicum I and Practicum II, and earlier field experiences totaling dozens of hours. An ESOL endorsement is embedded in the coursework. Graduates earn licensure at the early-childhood and elementary levels (PreK-6). The program is AAQEP accredited and TSPC-approved in Oregon. It awards more bachelor's-level elementary education degrees than any of Oregon's 9 ranked bachelor's-level programs, 38 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 Oregon.
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 72% graduation rate lands it in the top 14% of Oregon programs, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Admission is close to open access at 94%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. The one drag is price, $40,600 in state, above the Oregon 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.
- 6
Warner Pacific University
47score- 49%Grad rate
- $21,260/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 71%Admit rate
- 378Undergrads
- 3Grads/yr
- Early Childhood/Elementary Education
- On-campus
About the programWarner Pacific University's Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Elementary Education is a traditional, in-person program that prepares candidates for the Oregon Preliminary Teaching License across early childhood and elementary grades, roughly age three through grade 8. Offered through the School of Education, it asks for 45 credits in residence for the major alongside the university's core studies. What stands out is the sheer amount of classroom time, more than 100 practicum hours embedded across several courses in Portland Metro's urban and suburban schools, followed by a full 15-week student teaching placement. That heavy, city-based fieldwork gives the degree a distinctly hands-on and community-connected character. Candidates must qualify for at least one endorsement and pass the required state assessments to complete their licensure. 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 49% the graduation rate trails the Oregon median, which caps how high it can climb. A 71% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Tuition is middle of the road for Oregon programs at $21,260 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.
- 7
Linfield University
46score- 70%Grad rate
- $50,324/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 85%Admit rate
- 1,652Undergrads
- 10Grads/yr
- Elementary Education
- On-campus
About the programLinfield University's Elementary Education program, based in the Education Department of the College of Arts & Sciences, offers a traditional four-year, on-campus path with an unusually early start in real classrooms. Students begin working in local schools during their very first year through structured aide experiences, logging more than 50 hours before they ever reach a full-year student teaching placement in a nearby district. The whole program is shaped by an equity-centered framework called BASE and integrates social justice standards, giving future teachers a clear sense of purpose alongside their methods. Graduates finish in four years with a bachelor's degree and an Oregon preliminary teaching license carrying an elementary multiple-subjects endorsement. Those who want to broaden their reach can add optional special education and ESOL endorsements. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Oregon.
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 70% graduation rate lands it in the top 43% of Oregon programs, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Admission is close to open access at 85%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. The one drag is price, $50,324 in state, above the Oregon 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.
- 8
Southern Oregon University
25score- 43%Grad rate
- $10,170/yrIn-state tuition
- $29,295/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 89%Admit rate
- 4,235Undergrads
- 2Grads/yr
- Education Studies BA/BS, Elementary Education Licensure Pathway
- Hybrid
About the programSouthern Oregon University offers an Education Studies BA/BS through its School of Education, with an Elementary License Pathway that lets students earn both their bachelor's degree and their Oregon Preliminary teaching license. The program also includes a Holistic Education non-license pathway and a TESOL non-license pathway. Student teaching experiences take place during the winter and spring terms. Delivery is on campus with distance options available. As a bachelor's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Oregon.
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 43% the graduation rate trails the Oregon 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 $10,170 in state, tuition runs below the Oregon 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.
- 9
Eastern Oregon University
20score- 43%Grad rate
- $9,000/yrIn-state tuition
- $22,545/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 98%Admit rate
- 2,502Undergrads
- 20Grads/yr
- Bachelor's in Elementary Education (Multidisciplinary Studies / Elementary Education dual major)
- Hybrid
About the programEastern Oregon University's Bachelor's in Elementary Education takes an unusually integrated approach, combining Elementary Education and Multidisciplinary Studies into a single two-year dual major within the College of Education. Delivered in a hybrid format across La Grande, an Oregon City campus, and a hybrid cohort, the program spans 71 graded credits and folds a required ESOL concentration into the plan so graduates leave with dual endorsements in Elementary Multiple Subjects and English to speakers of other languages. What sets the design apart is how constant the classroom exposure is, with practical experiences running every term and culminating in full-time student teaching. Before the ESOL practicum, candidates complete TSPC fingerprinting and background clearance. Completing the degree leads to an Oregon teaching license through the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. It carries the lowest in-state tuition among Oregon's 9 ranked bachelor's-level programs, at $9,000. Graduates of this elementary education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as 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. The sticking point is completion, the factor we weigh most heavily: at 43% the graduation rate trails the Oregon median, which caps how high it can climb. Admission is close to open access at 98%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. Cost only helps its case: at $9,000 in state, tuition runs below the Oregon 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.
Key facts about a bachelor's in Elementary Education in Oregon
- Oregon has 9 accredited bachelor's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
- Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies ranks first among elementary education bachelor's programs in Oregon with a score of 68.
- Eastern Oregon University is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Oregon, at $9,000 a year in-state tuition.
- University of Portland posts the highest graduation rate among elementary education programs in Oregon, at 80 percent.
- Elementary school teachers in Oregon earn a median of $77,130 a year (BLS), ranking Oregon 12 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
- 1 of the bachelor's in elementary education programs in Oregon offer an online or hybrid option.
- Oregon requires the ORELA/NES licensure exam, administered through Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, to earn a teaching license.
What a bachelor's in elementary education costs in Oregon (2026)
Published in-state tuition for a bachelor's in elementary education in Oregon runs from $9,000 to $56,800 a year across the 9 programs we rank, with a median of $21,260. The most affordable is Eastern Oregon University at $9,000 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 Oregon
Elementary school teachers in Oregon earn a median of $77,130 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks Oregon 12 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 Oregon is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.
How to get an Oregon teaching license
To teach in Oregon you need a bachelor's in elementary education (or a bachelor's plus an approved preparation program), a supervised student-teaching placement, and an Oregon teaching license issued by Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. Oregon calls the initial credential the Preliminary Teaching License, and earning it means passing ORELA/NES (Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments) plus a background check.
TSPC contracts with Pearson/NES for the ORELA program; Oregon does not use Praxis. Confirm your program is currently state-approved before you enroll.
Sources: Oregon educator certification, ORELA/NES exam
Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Oregon
Pick a bachelor's in elementary education in Oregon that is regionally accredited and whose educator-preparation program is approved by the Oregon Department of Education, ideally with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation. State approval is what lets the degree count toward an Oregon teaching license, and CAEP is the national standard for program quality, so confirm both before enrolling in any elementary education program in Oregon.
Sources: CAEP accreditation
Online and hybrid elementary education programs in Oregon
1 of the bachelor's in elementary education programs in Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon
How many bachelor's in elementary education programs are in Oregon?
There are 9 accredited bachelor's in elementary education programs in Oregon in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.
What is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Oregon?
Eastern Oregon University is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Oregon, at $9,000 a year in in-state tuition.
How much do elementary school teachers make in Oregon?
Elementary school teachers in Oregon earn a median of $77,130 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 Oregon?
Oregon requires the ORELA/NES (Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments) licensure exam, administered for Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. See the <a href="https://www.orela.nesinc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">official exam page</a> for current test requirements.
Is a bachelor's in elementary education worth it in Oregon?
For most future teachers, yes. A bachelor's in elementary education in Oregon is the standard credential for an Oregon teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $77,130 a year in Oregon. 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 Oregon for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 9 bachelor's in elementary education in Oregon 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 Oregon.