Best Master's in Elementary Education Programs by Local Teacher Pay

1. 1

   University of Washington-Seattle Campus

   Seattle, WAPublic

   • $20,736In-state tuition
   • $37,464Out-of-state tuition
   • 78Master's/yr
   • $102,920Metro teacher pay
   • Master in Teaching (M.I.T.)
   • Hybrid
   About the program

   The University of Washington's Elementary Teacher Education Program is an intensive, immersive route to the classroom, a one-year Master in Teaching that runs across four quarters beginning in summer. At 70 credits and deeply field-based, the hybrid program offers both daytime and evening cohorts and steadily raises the stakes of its placements, from 75 hours in summer and autumn to 215 in winter and a full 440 hours of student teaching in spring across Seattle-area partner schools. That escalating structure lets candidates grow into full-time teaching rather than being thrown into it. Graduates earn a Washington Residency Certificate for elementary teaching and can layer on endorsements in areas such as multilingual learners, bilingual education, and special education. Before beginning full-time student teaching, candidates must pass the NES elementary subtests. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

   Why it ranks here

   For 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 78 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, where elementary teachers earn a median $102,920, roughly $92,610 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.

   Program page
2. 2

   University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

   Tacoma, WAPublic

   • 16Master's/yr
   • $102,920Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education
   • On-campus
   About the program

   This on-campus MEd in Elementary Education prepares candidates for initial Washington K-8 teacher certification; it is not designed for already-certified practicing teachers. It is 68 credits for certification only or 71 credits to also earn the M.Ed. The five-quarter, full-time program begins in summer, includes daytime clinical practice in local schools starting when schools open in fall, and requires a mandatory endorsement in either English Language Learners or Special Education. Optional Middle Level Endorsements (grades 4-9) in Humanities, Science, or Mathematics are available. The School of Education states the teacher certification programs were created as a face-to-face program. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Washington.

   Why it ranks here

   A 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 16 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, where elementary teachers earn a median $102,920, roughly $92,610 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.

   Program page
3. 3

   City University of Seattle

   Seattle, WAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

   • 11Master's/yr
   • $102,920Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education in Elementary Education (M.Ed.)
   • Online
   About the program

   City University of Seattle's M.Ed. in Elementary Education is a fully online program of roughly 39 to 40 credits focused on evidence-based elementary instruction aligned with Washington State standards, covering instructional practice, assessment, learning-goal design, and differentiated instruction. It is an in-service degree for practicing educators rather than an initial-licensure pathway; the program notes that a Washington State teacher may also complete the requirements for an Elementary Education endorsement. It does not by itself grant an initial teaching license; CityU's separate Master in Teaching tracks serve candidates seeking first certification. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Washington.

   Why it ranks here

   A 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 11 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, where elementary teachers earn a median $102,920, roughly $92,610 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.

   Program page
4. 4

   Santa Clara University

   Santa Clara, CAPrivate nonprofit

   • $46,315Est. tuition (excl. fees)
   • 1Master's/yr
   • $102,860Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Arts in Teaching and Teaching Credential (MATTC), Multiple Subject
   • Hybrid
   About the program

   Santa Clara University's Master of Arts in Teaching and Teaching Credential follows a Multiple Subject pathway built for elementary educators, and it packs both a graduate degree and a preliminary credential into one program. Spanning 59 quarter units, it leads to a California preliminary multiple subject teaching credential covering grades TK-8 and pairs coursework in reading, math, and science instruction with clinical practice and a full student teaching placement. Candidates can shape the experience to their needs, choosing a one-year full-time or two-year part-time track, on-campus or online formats, and multiple start dates. Those who want to broaden their qualifications may add an optional Bilingual Authorization in Spanish. The blend of academic study and sustained classroom practice makes it a comprehensive route into elementary teaching. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.

   Why it ranks here

   For 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 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $102,860, roughly $93,151 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.

   Program page
5. 5

   Washington State University

   Pullman, WAPublic

   • 21Master's/yr
   • $102,350State teacher pay
   • Master in Teaching (MIT) - Elementary
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Washington State University's Master in Teaching Elementary, known as MIT-E, is an intensive preparation program for people who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-education field and want to become elementary teachers. It delivers two outcomes at once, a master's degree and a Washington State elementary (K-8) teaching certificate, which makes it a genuine initial-licensure route rather than a professional add-on. The WSU Tri-Cities plan asks for at least 41 semester credits of coursework, 14 credits of field experience, and a 2-credit Master's Project, keeping classroom practice central to the design. Courses meet in late afternoon and evening while field placements fall during the school day, a structure suited to adults making a career change. Offered across the Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver campuses, it finishes in roughly 13 to 20 months depending on location. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Washington.

   Why it ranks here

   For 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 21 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Washington statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $102,350, roughly $95,643 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.

   Program page
6. 6

   Loyola Marymount University

   Los Angeles, CAPrivate nonprofit

   • 5Master's/yr
   • $101,860Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Arts in Transformative Education with a Preliminary Multiple Subjects Credential
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Loyola Marymount University's School of Education in Los Angeles, CA offers a Master of Arts in Transformative Education with a Preliminary Multiple Subjects Credential, preparing graduates to teach in self-contained elementary classrooms and pursue California teacher certification. The two-year pathway lets students earn a teaching credential in year one and complete the master's degree in year two, with student teaching placements in partner schools and evening coursework designed for working professionals. The credential is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and small class sizes support personalized mentoring. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in California.

   Why it ranks here

   Master'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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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.

   Program page
7. 7

   Chapman University

   Orange, CAPrivate nonprofit

   • $50,635Est. tuition (excl. fees)
   • 21Master's/yr
   • $101,860Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
   • CAEP-accredited
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Chapman University pairs a Master of Arts in Teaching with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, creating an elementary education pathway in Orange for aspiring PreK through grade 6 teachers. The design is hands-on from the start, blending graduate coursework with community-based field placements and student teaching that lead toward California teacher certification. Scheduling reflects who the program is for, since evening classes meeting once a week make room for working professionals to earn the degree without stepping away from their jobs. All of this runs through the Attallah College of Educational Studies at the Orange campus. Its educator preparation holds national CAEP accreditation alongside approval from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, tying the credential to recognized state and national standards. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.

   Why it ranks here

   A 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 21 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. And the institution carries weight: its research standing and program accreditation, the factor we weigh most, are a clear strength.

   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.

   Program page
8. 8

   California State University-Fullerton

   Fullerton, CAPublic

   • 48Master's/yr
   • $101,860Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction
   • Online
   About the program

   California State University-Fullerton offers a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction through its Elementary and Bilingual Education Department, aimed at elementary education professionals who want to deepen their craft. Rather than a single track, the degree lets students concentrate in an area that matches their interests, with emphases such as Early Childhood Education, Bilingual and Bicultural Education, and Math and Science Education. The program runs entirely online and asynchronously across five semesters with no summer coursework, a rhythm that suits working teachers. It is important to understand what the degree is and is not, since as a standalone graduate program it does not include a teaching credential or licensure. Students seeking initial certification apply separately to CSUF's multiple subject credential program, using this master's to strengthen expertise rather than to enter the profession. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

   Why it ranks here

   For 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 48 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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.

   Program page
9. 9

   University of La Verne

   La Verne, CAPrivate nonprofit

   • $37,575Est. tuition (excl. fees)
   • 64Master's/yr
   • $101,860Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Arts in Teaching, Multiple Subject
   • CAEP-accredited
   • On-campus
   About the program

   The University of La Verne in La Verne, CA offers a Master of Arts in Teaching, Multiple Subject, an elementary education program that prepares candidates for a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential covering K-6 classrooms. The 45-unit program combines credential coursework with advanced graduate study and can be completed in two to three and a half years. Candidates complete supervised fieldwork and 15 weeks of student teaching through partnerships with more than 200 school districts, with an Enhanced Intern Credential option for paid classroom experience. The program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and the LaFetra College of Education holds CAEP accreditation. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.

   Why it ranks here

   A 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 64 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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.

   Program page
10. 10

    Concordia University-Irvine

    Irvine, CAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 13Master's/yr
    • $101,860Metro teacher pay
    • Combined Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master of Education (M.Ed.)
    About the program

    Concordia University-Irvine offers a combined pathway that bundles a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a Master of Education, giving candidates both a license to teach and a graduate degree from one course of study. The credential authorizes teaching every subject in a self-contained K-6 classroom and includes the required student teaching that puts candidates in front of real learners. The design is efficient, since 30 of the credential units count toward the 46-unit M.Ed., so graduate study and classroom preparation reinforce each other rather than run separately. Coursework stays practical throughout, pairing hands-on teaching skills with graduate-level reflection. The credential program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and the university is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.

    Why it ranks here

    Master'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 13 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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.

    Program page
11. 11

    Azusa Pacific University

    Azusa, CAPrivate nonprofit

    • $30,475Est. total cost
    • 93Master's/yr
    • $101,860Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in Teaching with embedded Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA offers a Master of Arts in Education in Teaching with an embedded Multiple Subject Teaching Credential for elementary education and teacher licensure. The 45-unit hybrid program combines live online classes with in-person Saturday sessions and a 16-week supervised student teaching placement in K-8 classrooms. APU's School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the program leads to a California Multiple Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential. Students typically finish the two-year program with a capstone research project and professional ePortfolio. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in California.

    Why it ranks here

    Master'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 93 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. And the institution carries weight: its research standing and program accreditation, the factor we weigh most, are a clear strength.

    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.

    Program page
12. 12

    Alder Graduate School of Education

    Redwood City, CAPrivate nonprofit

    • $23,970Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 194Master's/yr
    • $101,860Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Teaching (Teacher Residency)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Alder's one-year Master's and Credential Teacher Residency leads to an initial California Multiple Subject (K-8) credential, an elementary initial-licensure pathway. Residents teach four days a week in a mentor teacher's classroom for a full school year, with one day weekly in cohort seminars and two full-week solo teaching takeovers in November and spring. The degree is a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Teaching. Delivery is hybrid, combining classroom apprenticeship with online coursework and in-person course intensives, with more than half of coursework in person. All residents also earn English Learner Authorization. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    For 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 194 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $88,104 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.

    Program page
13. 13

    Saint Mary's College of California

    Moraga, CAPrivate nonprofit

    • $35,400Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 4Master's/yr
    • $101,860Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching
    • CAEP-accredited
    • Online
    About the program

    Saint Mary's College of California offers its Master of Arts in Teaching for elementary educators who already hold certification and want to sharpen their teaching craft rather than start from scratch. The 30-unit degree is project-based and delivered entirely online, and its most striking feature is pace, since motivated candidates can finish in as few as seven months. Students who arrive with prior graduate coursework may bring transfer credit, shortening the road further. Housed in the Kalmanovitz School of Education, the program carries CAEP accreditation through 2032, the national benchmark for educator preparation. For practicing teachers who value flexibility and momentum, it offers a focused way to deepen expertise without stepping away from the classroom. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.

    Why it ranks here

    Master'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 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $88,104 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.

    Program page
14. 14

    California State University-Northridge

    Northridge, CAPublic

    • 7Master's/yr
    • $101,860Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts (M.A.) in Elementary Education
    • CAEP-accredited
    About the program

    California State University-Northridge built its Master of Arts in Elementary Education for teachers who are already credentialed and working full time, so the degree deepens practice rather than opening the door to it. Over two years, a cohort moves through the program together and can specialize in an area such as curriculum and instruction, language and literacy, or multilingual and multicultural education. Coursework stays connected to real learners, with hands-on experience gained through the Michael D. Eisner College of Education's Literacy Center and in classrooms, extending the certification work candidates completed in their prior credential. A justice-oriented curriculum and small cohorts give the program its character, and its CAEP-accredited standing reflects a serious grounding in educator preparation. For practicing teachers seeking both community and depth, it offers a focused route forward. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.

    Why it ranks here

    Master'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 7 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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.

    Program page
15. 15

    University of Massachusetts Global

    Aliso Viejo, CAPublicOnline available

    • 101Master's/yr
    • $101,860Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Elementary Education with 2042 Multiple Subject Credential and English Learner Authorization
    • AAQEP-accredited
    • Online
    About the program

    This 42-credit Master of Arts in Teaching leads to a California Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization, qualifying graduates to teach in self-contained elementary classrooms. It is an initial-credential pathway, not an advanced degree for already-credentialed teachers, though candidates who already hold a matching credential can apply 30 credits toward the degree. Delivery is fully online through instructor-led eight-week sessions. Candidates complete Clinical Practice I and II at 4.5 credits each, either as student teaching or an intern placement, and may begin teaching after four introductory courses. The program is accredited by AAQEP and approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of California's elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Master'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 101 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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.

    Program page
16. 16

    University of the People

    Pasadena, CAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • $5,650Est. total cost
    • 270Master's/yr
    • $101,860Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Advanced Teaching (M.Ed.)
    • Online
    About the program

    University of the People's Master of Education in Advanced Teaching is a fully online, 39-credit degree paced in 13 three-credit courses, each running nine weeks and spanning nine core courses, specialization work, and a capstone project. Candidates choose between an Elementary and Middle School (K-8) specialization and a Secondary one, and the curriculum was developed in cooperation with the International Baccalaureate, giving it an international orientation. Rather than a licensure track, it is framed as an advanced degree preparing practicing teachers for independent and international schools, so it does not lead to state licensure or certification. Cost is a defining feature: the university is tuition-free, asking only a $60 application fee and a $430 per-course assessment fee. That structure makes it an accessible option for teachers looking to grow outside the public-school certification system. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in California.

    Why it ranks here

    For 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 270 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 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.

    Program page
17. 17

    Western Washington University

    Bellingham, WAPublic

    • 10Master's/yr
    • $101,230Metro teacher pay
    • M.Ed. - Language and Literacy
    • Online
    About the program

    This is a 45 credit M.Ed. in Language and Literacy delivered over two years in synchronous, online cohorts. It is an in-service degree for practicing pre-K-12 and beyond teachers who want to deepen literacy knowledge and take on leadership roles. The program explicitly does not lead to a Washington State Residency Teacher Certificate, so it does not provide initial teaching licensure. Students may add a Washington reading endorsement or pursue National Board certification. There is no student teaching component; the focus is coursework in reading, writing, digital literacies, and leadership. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    A 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 10 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Bellingham, WA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,230, roughly $97,964 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.

    Program page
18. 18

    Whitworth University

    Spokane, WAPrivate nonprofit

    • $33,605Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 5Master's/yr
    • $98,800Metro teacher pay
    • Master in Teaching
    • On-campus
    About the program

    The Master in Teaching is a one-year (13-month) on-campus day program that leads to an initial Washington state teaching certificate. The elementary track requires 47 credits and certifies candidates to teach K-8. Coursework is integrated with a full academic-year student teaching practicum, two days weekly in fall and full-time Monday through Friday in spring. Candidates earn both the master's degree and the teaching certificate together, making this an initial-licensure pathway rather than an advanced degree for already-certified teachers. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Washington.

    Why it ranks here

    A 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 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,800, roughly $98,459 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.

    Program page
19. 19

    Fairfield University

    Fairfield, CTPrivate nonprofit

    • $37,245Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 18Master's/yr
    • $98,600Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts (MA) in Elementary Education
    • CAEP-accredited
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Fairfield 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 here

    Master'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 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.

    Program page
20. 20

    University of Bridgeport

    Bridgeport, CTPrivate nonprofit

    • $26,565Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 30Master's/yr
    • $98,600Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Science in Elementary Education
    • CAEP-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    The 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 here

    For 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 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.

    Program page
21. 21

    University of Phoenix-California

    Ontario, CAPrivate for-profit

    • 1Master's/yr
    • $98,520Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Education - Elementary Teacher Education
    • Online
    About the program

    This is an initial teacher licensure master's for candidates without prior teaching experience who hold a bachelor's in another field and want to teach elementary school. Coursework is delivered through online classes and totals 44-45 credits. It includes in-person clinical experiences in the student's home state plus a required 12 weeks of full-time clinical practice teaching in a local classroom. The grade band and licensure requirements vary by state. Program support specialists help with the state licensure application and clinical placement. It leads toward, but does not by itself grant, a state elementary teaching credential. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of California's elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    For 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 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,520, roughly $92,557 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.

    Program page
22. 22

    Heritage University

    Toppenish, WAPrivate nonprofit

    • 14Master's/yr
    • $98,330Metro teacher pay
    • Master in Teaching
    • Online
    About the program

    Heritage University's Master in Teaching leads to initial Washington State teacher certification with an Elementary Education K-8 endorsement. Classes are delivered primarily in a synchronous online model. The Theory to Practice route places candidates in K-8 classrooms across several semesters before a final student teaching semester, while the Residency and Accelerate alternate routes let candidates finish in about eleven months while teaching in a K-8 classroom and add an English Language Learner or Special Education endorsement. The official budget reflects roughly 40 credits at $912 per credit. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Washington.

    Why it ranks here

    Master'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 14 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Yakima, WA, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,330, roughly $102,915 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.

    Program page
23. 23

    Boston College

    Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate nonprofit

    • $70,596Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 19Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Boston College's on-campus Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education, offered through the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, prepares candidates to teach grades 1-6 through an unusually immersive clinical model. The 37 credit program spans 13 courses plus practicum and can be finished in a single academic year with two summer sessions, or stretched across two to three years part time. Fieldwork ramps up deliberately, beginning with a pre-practicum of one school day a week for 10 weeks and building to a full practicum of five days a week for a whole semester. Throughout, both school-based and university-based mentors support each candidate. Because the program meets Massachusetts DESE requirements, completion brings a Boston College endorsement for Massachusetts initial licensure. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Massachusetts.

    Why it ranks here

    Master'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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. And the institution carries weight: its research standing and program accreditation, the factor we weigh most, are a clear strength.

    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.

    Program page
24. 24

    Boston University

    Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit

    • $82,152Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 4Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • EdM in Elementary Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Boston University's Wheelock College offers an in-person EdM in Elementary Education leading to Massachusetts initial licensure for grades 1 to 6. The base program requires 36 credits and culminates in a full-time student teaching practicum during the final spring semester. Students may extend into dual licensure with special education (52 credits, covering moderate or severe disabilities across various grade bands and an autism endorsement) or add ESL/TESOL licensure (54 credits). The program is offered full-time and part-time. Coursework combines curriculum and instruction methods with supervised field placements building toward the licensure practicum. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Massachusetts.

    Why it ranks here

    For 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 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 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.

    Program page
25. 25

    Endicott College

    Beverly, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • $22,104Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 8Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Endicott College's Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education, offered through the Van Loan School, pairs the flexibility of online study with the hands-on demands of teacher preparation, leading to a Massachusetts initial license for grades 1-6. Its 36 credits are delivered fully online and self-paced, moving through child development, curriculum and instruction, assessment, literacy, and STEM methods aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. The self-directed format suits candidates balancing other responsibilities. Even so, the program keeps a serious classroom requirement, asking students to complete a 300-hour practicum that includes at least 100 hours of full teaching responsibility at the grade level of the license they seek. It is structured for those earning a first license rather than teachers who are already credentialed. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    A 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 8 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, where elementary teachers earn a median $98,060, roughly $90,573 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.

    Program page

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