Best Master's in Elementary Education Programs in Indiana

All 12 Elementary Education master's-level programs in Indiana, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.

A master's in elementary education can lead to initial Indiana licensure or advance a licensed teacher's career, and Indiana has 12 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. Ball State University ranks first with a score of 79, on a 62 percent graduation rate.

Elementary school teachers in Indiana earn a median of $59,700 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, Indiana licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in Indiana on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.

12Programs analyzed
$7,990 to $28,665/yrIn-state tuition
$59,700/yrMedian elementary school teacher pay in Indiana
Ball State UniversityTop-ranked

← Best Master's in Elementary Education nationally

Elementary Education master's-level programs in Indiana, compared by score
1Ball State University79
2Indiana University-Southeast56
3Valparaiso University52
4Indiana University-Northwest52
5Calumet College of Saint Joseph47
6University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne46
7American College of Education42
8Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global35
9Indiana University-Indianapolis33
10Purdue University Fort Wayne27
11Indiana University-Bloomington26
12Indiana University-South Bend21
  1. 1

    Ball State University

    Muncie, INPublicOnline available

    79score
    • $13,920In-state tuition
    • $20,880Out-of-state tuition
    • 59Master's/yr
    • $58,610Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Elementary Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Ball State University offers a Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in Elementary Education through Ball State Online, letting working teachers in Muncie, IN, build advanced expertise without leaving the classroom. The program is designed for educators who already hold teacher licensure and want to deepen their leadership and advocacy skills, with coursework tailored to individual professional goals and classes taught largely by full-time Teachers College faculty in small, engaged sections. Ball State's Teachers College holds CAEP accreditation for its educator preparation programs. It awards more master's-level elementary education degrees than any of Indiana's 12 ranked master's-level programs, 59 in the most recent year. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Indiana.

    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 59 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Muncie, IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $58,610, roughly $66,490 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

    Indiana University-Southeast

    New Albany, INPublic

    56score
    • $10,478In-state tuition
    • $24,925Out-of-state tuition
    • 28Master's/yr
    • $61,610Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Science in Education with a Major in Elementary Education
    • CAEP-accredited
    About the program

    Indiana University Southeast frames its Master of Science in Education with a Major in Elementary Education as a graduate degree that working teachers in the Kentuckiana region can pursue without leaving their jobs or their community. What gives it flexibility is a set of optional concentrations, in areas such as Reading, Special Education, or Educational Leadership, several of which add an Indiana teaching license endorsement to the diploma. Small class sizes and close faculty attention shape the experience, so candidates get a personal rather than lecture-hall feel. The School of Education is CAEP accredited, which speaks to the rigor behind the coursework. For teachers who want to grow their credentials close to home, the New Albany campus keeps the whole path within reach. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Indiana.

    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 28 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,610, roughly $66,195 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

    Valparaiso University

    Valparaiso, INPrivate nonprofit

    52score
    • 1Master's/yr
    • $78,390Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) add-on to the Elementary Transition to Teaching Initial Licensure Program
    • CAEP-accredited
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Valparaiso University shapes this Master of Education (M.Ed.) around career changers, layering it onto its Elementary Transition to Teaching Initial Licensure Program for people who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-education field. The initial track leads to Indiana K-6 teacher licensure and carries CAEP accreditation, and the M.Ed. add-on builds on it with just 12 more graduate credits in areas like research methods and curriculum and instruction. Classes blend online work with in-person evening sessions, a rhythm that lets working adults keep their days free. Immersive practicum placements and a student teaching experience make sure the theory gets tested in real classrooms. The result is a route to both a graduate degree and Indiana certification, earned side by side. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Indiana.

    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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,390, roughly $75,670 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

    Indiana University-Northwest

    Gary, INPublic

    52score
    • $11,526In-state tuition
    • $27,417Out-of-state tuition
    • 9Master's/yr
    • $78,390Metro teacher pay
    • M.S. in Elementary/Secondary Education
    • CAEP-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Indiana University Northwest offers a Master of Science in Elementary/Secondary Education that leads to teacher certification without a thesis, packing 33 credit hours into a practice-minded sequence on the Gary campus. Problem based learning threads through the coursework, so candidates work through curriculum design and questions of teacher effectiveness rather than absorbing theory in isolation. A supervised student teaching placement anchors the degree, and graduates have historically found positions across dozens of urban, suburban, and rural districts in Indiana, Illinois, and beyond. Courses run in fall, spring, and summer terms, which gives students room to schedule the program around other commitments. The School of Education holds full CAEP accreditation, backing the licensure it prepares candidates to earn. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Indiana.

    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 9 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,390, roughly $75,670 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

    Calumet College of Saint Joseph

    Whiting, INPrivate nonprofit

    47score
    • $28,665Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 4Master's/yr
    • $78,390Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
    • CAEP-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Calumet College of Saint Joseph offers its Master of Arts in Teaching with an elementary track for candidates working toward K-6 licensure, and it schedules classes once a week on Saturdays so that working adults can realistically fit the degree into their lives. The 39-credit program grows out of the college's Transition to Teaching pathway, and it carries candidates through an Elementary Student Teaching Capstone before a final action research phase completed while they are employed as a licensed P-12 teacher. That structure lets classroom practice and graduate study reinforce each other rather than compete for time. The college's teacher education programs hold CAEP accreditation, giving the credential recognized standing. For educators near Whiting who need a manageable path to certification, it strikes a practical balance. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Indiana.

    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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,390, roughly $75,670 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

    University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne

    Fort Wayne, INPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    46score
    • $16,950Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 14Master's/yr
    • $59,800Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Education (MAE)
    • CAEP-accredited
    • Online
    About the program

    The Master of Arts in Education at the University of Saint Francis carries an elementary education concentration that leads to K-6 teacher licensure, and it is designed to fit around a working life. All 30 credit hours are delivered fully online in asynchronous eight or sixteen week sessions, so candidates set much of their own pace. The theory does not stay abstract, though, because the degree closes with a sixteen week capstone internship that puts students in front of real classrooms. Its Division of Teacher Education holds accreditation from CAEP and recognition from the Indiana Department of Education, grounding the licensure pathway in state standards. Most students move through the certification route in one to two years, making it a realistic option for career changers and aspiring teachers alike. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Indiana.

    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 14 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Fort Wayne, IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,800, roughly $64,598 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

    American College of Education

    Indianapolis, INPrivate for-profitOnline available

    42score
    • $7,990Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 53Master's/yr
    • $60,510Metro teacher pay
    • M.Ed. in Elementary Education
    • Online
    About the program

    American College of Education offers a fully online, 34-credit M.Ed. in Elementary Education built for already-licensed elementary educators (K-5) who want to deepen their practice rather than earn initial certification. The program does not lead to initial teacher licensure. Coursework addresses young learners' developmental needs and integrating technology into elementary instruction, and it concludes with a one-credit Capstone Experience for Elementary Education (EE5091) in which candidates document the impact of the competencies gained. Courses are recorded and asynchronous, with multiple rolling start dates. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Indiana'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 53 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,510, roughly $63,231 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
  8. 8

    Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global

    Marion, INPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    35score
    • $9,450Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 3Master's/yr
    • $59,700State teacher pay
    • Master of Science in Elementary Teaching
    • Online
    About the program

    Indiana Wesleyan University's Master of Science in Elementary Teaching is a compact, 18-credit online degree built entirely for teachers who are already licensed and want to grow within the profession. Admission makes that focus explicit, calling for a valid teaching license, at least one year of experience as teacher of record, and access to an elementary classroom, and it is aimed particularly at those who earned a graduate Transition-to-Teaching Elementary Certificate within the past decade. The coursework is fully asynchronous, and candidates carry out their clinical work in their own classrooms, so learning connects directly to daily teaching. Because it assumes an existing credential, the program does not lead to initial licensure. Instead, it serves as an in-service degree that deepens elementary teaching practice for educators already in the room. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Indiana.

    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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Indiana statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,700, roughly $63,967 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

    Indiana University-Indianapolis

    Indianapolis, INPublic

    33score
    • 4Master's/yr
    • $60,510Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Science in Elementary or Secondary Education, with a focus on Urban Education
    • CAEP-accredited
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Indiana University-Indianapolis frames its Master of Science in Elementary or Secondary Education around a focus on Urban Education, making it a fit for teachers who want to serve multicultural city schools with more skill. The 36-credit degree can be finished in as little as two years and blends face-to-face, online, and hybrid coursework covering curriculum, assessment, and the community forces that shape urban classrooms. At its heart is an action research practicum, where candidates join a cohort of fellow inquirers to design and carry out their own classroom-based study. Because it builds on prior teacher licensure, the program deepens the practice of educators already in the field rather than starting them from the beginning. The School of Education's CAEP accreditation reinforces the quality behind that advanced preparation. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Indiana.

    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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,510, roughly $63,231 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

    Purdue University Fort Wayne

    Fort Wayne, INPublic

    27score
    • $11,752In-state tuition
    • $27,400Out-of-state tuition
    • 3Master's/yr
    • $59,800Metro teacher pay
    • Elementary Education (M.S.)
    About the program

    Purdue University Fort Wayne shapes its Master of Science in Elementary Education around immersive field experiences, keeping candidates connected to real classrooms throughout the degree. A defining element is a classroom-based research project, in which teachers investigate a question drawn from their own practice and let the findings reshape how they teach. Alongside that inquiry, coursework strengthens data-informed assessment design and the skill of adjusting curriculum, instruction, and the learning environment to reach diverse learners. The School of Education's educator preparation offerings, including its advanced programs, hold CAEP accreditation, the review process that underpins the university's licensure preparation. For educators who learn best by doing and reflecting, the program offers a grounded, practice-driven path. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Indiana'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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Fort Wayne, IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,800, roughly $64,598 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

    Indiana University-Bloomington

    Bloomington, INPublic

    26score
    • $17,573In-state tuition
    • $59,043Out-of-state tuition
    • 1Master's/yr
    • $58,410Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Elementary Education
    • CAEP-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Built for teachers who are already leading K-6 classrooms, this Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Elementary Education at Indiana University Bloomington treats professional experience as a starting point rather than something to acquire. The 36 credit hour program, housed in the School of Education, centers on current theories of learning and instruction, and it lets candidates aim their electives at the subjects they teach most, whether that is math, science, or language arts. Rather than closing with a traditional exam, students carry out a thesis or a practicum project as action research inside their own classrooms, so the learning loops directly back into their teaching. The educator preparation programs here are accredited by CAEP. It reads as a degree for deepening craft, not for earning a first license. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Indiana's 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 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Bloomington, IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $58,410, roughly $61,430 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
  12. 12

    Indiana University-South Bend

    South Bend, INPublic

    21score
    • $10,688In-state tuition
    • $25,423Out-of-state tuition
    • 1Master's/yr
    • $58,180Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Science in Education, Unified Track (Elementary Education)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Indiana University South Bend offers its Master of Science in Education in elementary education through a Unified Track, a 30-credit, cohort-based program built for teachers who already hold licensure. The scheduling reflects that audience, combining face-to-face summer sessions on campus with online and hybrid coursework during the school year, so classroom demands and graduate study can coexist. Its content sharpens two areas that matter daily in elementary rooms, literacy instruction and support for English language learners, deepening skills teachers can use right away. Rather than leading to initial certification, this advanced degree is meant to extend the expertise of practicing educators. The School of Education holds full CAEP accreditation for its educator preparation, giving the credential recognized weight. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Indiana.

    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 South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI, where elementary teachers earn a median $58,180, roughly $62,655 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

Key facts about a master's in Elementary Education in Indiana

  • Indiana has 12 accredited master's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
  • Ball State University ranks first among elementary education master's programs in Indiana with a score of 79, on a 62 percent graduation rate.
  • American College of Education is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Indiana, at $7,990 a year in-state tuition.
  • Indiana University-Bloomington posts the highest graduation rate among elementary education programs in Indiana, at 80 percent.
  • Elementary school teachers in Indiana earn a median of $59,700 a year (BLS), ranking Indiana 39 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
  • 4 of the master's in elementary education programs in Indiana offer an online or hybrid option.
  • Indiana requires the Praxis licensure exam, administered through Indiana Department of Education, Office of Educator Licensing, to earn a teaching license.

What a master's in elementary education costs in Indiana (2026)

Published in-state tuition for a master's in elementary education in Indiana runs from $7,990 to $28,665 a year across the 12 programs we rank, with a median of $11,526. The most affordable is American College of Education at $7,990 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 48 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 Indiana

Elementary school teachers in Indiana earn a median of $59,700 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks Indiana 39 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 Indiana is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.

Sources: BLS OEWS wages, BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

How to get an Indiana teaching license

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

Indiana transitioned from the Pearson Indiana CORE assessments to ETS Praxis in 2021. Confirm your program is currently state-approved before you enroll.

Sources: Indiana educator certification, Praxis exam

Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Indiana

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

Sources: CAEP accreditation

Online and hybrid elementary education programs in Indiana

4 of the master's in elementary education programs in Indiana 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 Indiana 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 Indiana

How many master's in elementary education programs are in Indiana?

There are 12 accredited master's in elementary education programs in Indiana in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.

What is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Indiana?

American College of Education is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Indiana, at $7,990 a year in in-state tuition.

How much do elementary school teachers make in Indiana?

Elementary school teachers in Indiana earn a median of $59,700 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 Indiana?

Indiana requires the Praxis (The Praxis Series) licensure exam, administered for Indiana Department of Education, Office of Educator Licensing. See the <a href="https://www.ets.org/praxis" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">official exam page</a> for current test requirements.

Is a master's in elementary education worth it in Indiana?

For most future teachers, yes. A master's in elementary education in Indiana is the standard credential for an Indiana teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $59,700 a year in Indiana. 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 Indiana for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 12 master's in elementary education in Indiana 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 Indiana.

Sources

Elementary Education in other states