Best Master's in Elementary Education Programs in Connecticut
All 6 Elementary Education master's-level programs in Connecticut, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.
A master's in elementary education can lead to initial Connecticut licensure or advance a licensed teacher's career, and Connecticut has 6 accredited elementary education master'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 Bridgeport ranks first with a score of 64, on a 41 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.
- 1
University of Bridgeport
64score- $26,565Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 30Master's/yr
- $98,600Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- On-campus
About the programThe University of Bridgeport offers a Master of Science in Elementary Education for students preparing to teach grades 1 through 6 in Connecticut. Based on the Bridgeport campus, the program centers on a year-long classroom internship, with evening classes that support the residency schedule. Candidates spend the year in partnering school districts across Connecticut and New York while completing graduate coursework toward Connecticut teacher certification. The School of Education is accredited by CAEP. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Connecticut.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 30 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,600, roughly $92,267 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 2
Fairfield University
58score- $37,245Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 18Master's/yr
- $98,600Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts (MA) in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programFairfield University's 39 credit Master of Arts in Elementary Education leads to initial teacher certification for grades 1-6 and is built around the rhythms of working life. The hybrid format, with evening and some weekend classes, lets students study while staying employed, and paid teaching internships each fall and spring put them in front of learners from early on. The coursework emphasizes reflective, culturally responsive practice, encouraging candidates to think carefully about the students and communities they serve. Class sizes stay small, typically capped around 20, which keeps faculty mentoring close through every step of the licensure process. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation through December 2028. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Connecticut.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 18 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,600, roughly $92,267 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 3
Quinnipiac University
51score- $33,120Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 39Master's/yr
- $79,820Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education
- On-campus
About the programQuinnipiac University in Hamden, CT offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education, a 45 to 48 credit graduate program designed for completion in about 15 months. The program leads to Connecticut teacher certification for pre-kindergarten through grade six and pairs coursework with a full-year internship or co-teaching residency placed across more than 60 partner schools in over 20 Connecticut districts. Some placements offer tuition remission or paid apprenticeship positions alongside classroom experience. The elementary education program is CAEP accredited and approved by the Connecticut State Department of Education. It awards more master's-level elementary education degrees than any of Connecticut's 6 ranked master's-level programs, 39 in the most recent year. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Connecticut.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 39 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into New Haven, CT, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,820, roughly $76,340 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 4
Eastern Connecticut State University
50score- $21,420Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 18Master's/yr
- $83,840Metro teacher pay
- M.S. in Elementary Education/Certification
- CAEP-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programEastern Connecticut State University's 30 credit hour M.S. in Elementary Education/Certification prepares candidates for PreK-6 teacher certification in Connecticut, and it keeps them in classrooms throughout. Each semester students take on a K-12 field placement, building steadily toward a culminating student teaching experience in their certification area. The coursework balances pedagogy, content areas, and educational technology, so candidates leave ready for the practical realities of teaching. Flexibility is built in, with classes available both on campus and online to fit different schedules. Eastern's educator preparation holds CAEP accreditation, and the program keeps entry approachable through three start dates a year and no fixed application deadline. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Connecticut's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 18 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT, where elementary teachers earn a median $83,840, roughly $83,469 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 5
University of Saint Joseph
44score- $36,795Est. total cost
- 12Master's/yr
- $79,800Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programUniversity of Saint Joseph offers a field-based, cohort-model Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education that leads to a recommendation for PK-6 teacher certification in Connecticut. Learning happens in a mix of settings, with online synchronous instruction paired with in-person sessions on the West Hartford campus. The schedule is notably manageable, letting students attend as little as one day a week even while completing student teaching. New cohorts begin each fall, and depending on pacing candidates can finish in one to two years, moving through the program alongside a steady group of peers. The educator preparation is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 12 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,800, roughly $77,667 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 6
Southern Connecticut State University
34score- $21,296Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 22Master's/yr
- $79,820Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Elementary Education
- On-campus
About the programSouthern Connecticut State University runs a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education in New Haven for candidates seeking initial teacher certification alongside a state-approved master's degree. The program pairs elementary education coursework with field placement observations and a semester-long student teaching experience, leading to Connecticut certification to teach grades 1 through 6. This on-campus path suits career changers and recent graduates moving into elementary teaching through a research university. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Connecticut.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 22 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New Haven, CT, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,820, roughly $76,340 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
Key facts about a master's in Elementary Education in Connecticut
- Connecticut has 6 accredited master's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
- University of Bridgeport ranks first among elementary education master's programs in Connecticut with a score of 64, on a 41 percent graduation rate.
- Southern Connecticut State University is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Connecticut, at $21,296 a year in-state tuition.
- Fairfield University posts the highest graduation rate among elementary education programs in Connecticut, at 84 percent.
- 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 master's in elementary education costs in Connecticut (2026)
Published in-state tuition for a master's in elementary education in Connecticut runs from $21,296 to $37,245 a year across the 6 programs we rank, with a median of $26,565. The most affordable is Southern Connecticut State University at $21,296 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 62 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 master's in elementary education in Connecticut is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.
How to get a Connecticut teaching license
To teach in Connecticut you need a master'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.
Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Connecticut
Pick a master'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 master's in Elementary Education in Connecticut
How many master's in elementary education programs are in Connecticut?
There are 6 accredited master's in elementary education programs in Connecticut in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.
What is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Connecticut?
Southern Connecticut State University is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Connecticut, at $21,296 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 master's in elementary education worth it in Connecticut?
For most future teachers, yes. A master'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 master's in elementary education programs in Connecticut for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 6 master'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.