Best Master's in Elementary Education Programs in Florida
All 9 Elementary Education master's-level programs in Florida, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.
A master's in elementary education can lead to initial Florida licensure or advance a licensed teacher's career, and Florida has 9 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 North Florida ranks first with a score of 66, on a 69 percent graduation rate.
Elementary school teachers in Florida earn a median of $58,930 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, Florida licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in Florida on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.
- 1
University of North Florida
66score- $12,243In-state tuition
- $27,978Out-of-state tuition
- 23Master's/yr
- $61,080Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Online
About the programThe University of North Florida offers a fully online Master of Education in Elementary Education for teachers who already hold a valid license and want to sharpen the craft they practice every day. Across 30 credit hours, the coursework centers on the working parts of strong teaching, from instructional strategies and curriculum design to assessment and data literacy. A distinctive feature is the chance to pair the degree with embedded graduate certificates in areas such as literacy, mathematics, STEM, or instructional leadership, letting teachers specialize as they go. Because it serves currently licensed educators rather than newcomers, the program reads as advanced preparation instead of initial certification. It is delivered through the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services in Jacksonville, whose educator preparation holds CAEP accreditation. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Florida's 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 23 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Jacksonville, FL, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,080, roughly $61,397 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
University of Central Florida
59score- $11,090In-state tuition
- $38,294Out-of-state tuition
- 29Master's/yr
- $60,190Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in Elementary Education (MEd)
- AAQEP (UCF School of Teacher Education)-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programThe University of Central Florida offers its 30 credit hour Master of Education in Elementary Education to teachers who are already certified in grades K-6 and want to keep growing in the classroom. Rather than starting from scratch, the program supports professional certification pathways and lets each student shape the degree around an interest, with specializations in areas such as reading, ESOL, gifted education, special education, dual language, and early childhood. That range means a K-6 teacher can align graduate study closely with the students and subjects they care about most. Coursework runs fully online or on campus, so working educators can pick the format that fits their lives, and a thesis or non-thesis track adds a further choice. The degree is housed in UCF's School of Teacher Education, which carries AAQEP accreditation. It awards more master's-level elementary education degrees than any of Florida's 9 ranked master's-level programs, 29 in the most recent year. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Florida.
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 29 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,190, roughly $59,348 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
University of South Florida
57score- $12,525In-state tuition
- $29,336Out-of-state tuition
- 12Master's/yr
- $60,120Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- On-campus
About the programThe University of South Florida's Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education is aimed at people who hold a bachelor's degree outside education and want to move into K-6 teaching. The program keeps candidates close to real classrooms, combining daytime coursework with a part-time practicum and a full-time internship in partnership schools. Working in both primary and intermediate classrooms alongside mentor teachers, students see the full sweep of the elementary years rather than a single grade band. Embedded ESOL and Reading endorsements come built into the degree, so graduates leave prepared for the language and literacy demands of Florida classrooms. USF's College of Education holds CAEP accreditation, and its educator preparation is approved by the Florida Department of Education for state licensure. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Florida.
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 12 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,120, roughly $59,590 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
University of Florida
54score- $13,462In-state tuition
- $36,239Out-of-state tuition
- 25Master's/yr
- $56,430Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) / Master of Arts in Education (M.A.E.) in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programAt the University of Florida, the master's in elementary education can be earned as either a Master of Education or a Master of Arts in Education, giving candidates a choice of emphasis within the same 30 credit hour path. The degree leads to Florida's Professional Certificate in Elementary Education K-6 together with a Reading Endorsement, pairing broad classroom preparation with a focused literacy credential. Its clinical spine is the Site-based Implementation of Teacher Education track, where candidates spend three semesters teaching side by side with a mentor in a real school. Coursework is available online while the internship keeps students grounded in in-person classroom work. The program runs through UF's School of Teaching and Learning, whose educator preparation holds CAEP accreditation. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Florida.
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 25 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Gainesville, FL, where elementary teachers earn a median $56,430, roughly $58,336 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
Jacksonville University
41score- 3Master's/yr
- $61,080Metro teacher pay
About the programJacksonville University houses its teacher preparation programs in the Department of Education in Jacksonville, Florida. The university offers an Education for Instruction major with a concentration in literacy education that covers foundational elementary reading practices. Within this department, coursework connects instructional methods with early literacy, giving students a grounding in how children learn to read and how elementary classrooms support that development. The department is the university's home for study in instruction and literacy. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Florida.
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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Jacksonville, FL, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,080, roughly $61,397 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
Rollins College
38score- $28,518Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 5Master's/yr
- $60,190Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education
- Hybrid
About the programAt Rollins College, the Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education is a state-approved route into Florida classrooms, and its small scale is part of the draw. Classes average around 12 students with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, so candidates work closely with instructors as they prepare for certification. The degree readies graduates to earn a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate covering grades K-6, along with ESOL and Reading endorsements that broaden the range of learners they can serve. Coursework centers on research-based instructional strategies, current classroom technology, and practices grounded in equity and inclusion, giving future teachers a modern, thoughtful foundation. Delivered in a hybrid format, the program lets candidates blend online study with in-person learning while keeping the personal attention that defines it. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Florida's elementary school teachers.
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 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,190, roughly $59,348 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.
- 7
Nova Southeastern University
35score- $35,970Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 19Master's/yr
- $58,300Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education with a specialization in Elementary Education (non-certification)
- Online
About the programNova Southeastern University offers a Master of Science in Education with a specialization in Elementary Education, a fully online, non-certification degree for educators who already hold certification or are not pursuing it. The program deepens knowledge of advanced teaching methods and educational theory through core, specialization, and elective coursework. Candidates complete an applied professional experience capstone in a school setting, keeping reflective journals and building a portfolio tied to professional standards. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Florida's elementary school teachers.
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 19 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL, where elementary teachers earn a median $58,300, roughly $51,071 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.
- 8
Southeastern University
32score- 6Master's/yr
- $50,420Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education
- Online
About the programSoutheastern University in Lakeland offers a Master of Education in Elementary Education built for working teachers and career changers. The degree is delivered online, so students can continue teaching while they complete it. Its online course structure focuses on strengthening elementary teaching practice for educators balancing graduate study with classroom or professional work. The university holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Florida.
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 6 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL, where elementary teachers earn a median $50,420, roughly $51,904 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.
- 9
Florida Atlantic University
29score- $10,934In-state tuition
- $36,759Out-of-state tuition
- 9Master's/yr
- $58,300Metro teacher pay
- Master's Degree (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education (K-6)
- CAEP-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programFlorida Atlantic University offers a Master of Education in Elementary Education for grades K-6 through its College of Education, which is accredited by CAEP. The hybrid program is built for teachers who already hold Florida certification, so it does not include the student teaching or internship hours required for initial licensure. Instead, currently certified elementary teachers advance their instructional knowledge through graduate coursework delivered in a mix of in-person and online formats. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Florida.
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 9 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL, where elementary teachers earn a median $58,300, roughly $51,071 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 Florida
- Florida has 9 accredited master's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
- University of North Florida ranks first among elementary education master's programs in Florida with a score of 66, on a 69 percent graduation rate.
- Florida Atlantic University is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Florida, at $10,934 a year in-state tuition.
- University of Florida posts the highest graduation rate among elementary education programs in Florida, at 91 percent.
- Elementary school teachers in Florida earn a median of $58,930 a year (BLS), ranking Florida 40 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
- 1 of the master's in elementary education programs in Florida offer an online or hybrid option.
- Florida requires the FTCE licensure exam, administered through Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification, to earn a teaching license.
What a master's in elementary education costs in Florida (2026)
Published in-state tuition for a master's in elementary education in Florida runs from $10,934 to $35,970 a year across the 9 programs we rank, with a median of $12,525. The most affordable is Florida Atlantic University at $10,934 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 68 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 Florida
Elementary school teachers in Florida earn a median of $58,930 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks Florida 40 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 Florida is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.
How to get a Florida teaching license
To teach in Florida you need a master's in elementary education (or a bachelor's plus an approved preparation program), a supervised student-teaching placement, and a Florida teaching license issued by Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification. Florida calls the initial credential the Professional Certificate, and earning it means passing FTCE (Florida Teacher Certification Examinations) plus a background check.
FTCE is administered by Evaluation Systems, Pearson; a three-year nonrenewable Temporary Certificate is available before the Professional Certificate. Confirm your program is currently state-approved before you enroll.
Sources: Florida educator certification, FTCE exam
Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Florida
Pick a master's in elementary education in Florida that is regionally accredited and whose educator-preparation program is approved by the Florida Department of Education, ideally with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation. State approval is what lets the degree count toward a Florida teaching license, and CAEP is the national standard for program quality, so confirm both before enrolling in any elementary education program in Florida.
Sources: CAEP accreditation
Online and hybrid elementary education programs in Florida
1 of the master's in elementary education programs in Florida 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 master's in elementary education from a state-approved, CAEP-accredited program leads to the same Florida teaching license as an on-campus degree; the diploma does not distinguish the format.
Frequently asked questions about a master's in Elementary Education in Florida
How many master's in elementary education programs are in Florida?
There are 9 accredited master's in elementary education programs in Florida in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.
What is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Florida?
Florida Atlantic University is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Florida, at $10,934 a year in in-state tuition.
How much do elementary school teachers make in Florida?
Elementary school teachers in Florida earn a median of $58,930 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 Florida?
Florida requires the FTCE (Florida Teacher Certification Examinations) licensure exam, administered for Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification. See the <a href="https://www.fl.nesinc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">official exam page</a> for current test requirements.
Is a master's in elementary education worth it in Florida?
For most future teachers, yes. A master's in elementary education in Florida is the standard credential for a Florida teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $58,930 a year in Florida. 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 Florida for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 9 master's in elementary education in Florida 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 Florida.