Best Master's in Elementary Education Programs in Kentucky
All 9 Elementary Education master's-level programs in Kentucky, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.
A master's in elementary education can lead to initial Kentucky licensure or advance a licensed teacher's career, and Kentucky 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. Northern Kentucky University ranks first with a score of 72, on a 52 percent graduation rate.
Elementary school teachers in Kentucky earn a median of $60,610 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, Kentucky licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in Kentucky on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.
- 1
Northern Kentucky University
72score- 41Master's/yr
- $64,740Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Education: Teacher as Leader
About the programNorthern Kentucky University offers the Master of Arts in Education: Teacher as Leader for educators who are already certified and want to deepen their classroom practice. Certified elementary teachers typically enter through the Curriculum and Instruction concentration, which earns Kentucky Rank 2 status. The degree is an in-service program for practicing teachers rather than a route to initial elementary licensure, and it includes online delivery options. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Kentucky.
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 41 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $64,740, roughly $67,883 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 the Cumberlands
69score- $13,230Est. total cost
- 303Master's/yr
- $60,610State teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education (P-5) concentration
- Online
About the programUniversity of the Cumberlands' online Master of Arts in Teaching includes an Elementary Education (P-5) concentration, a 42 credit-hour initial-licensure route leading to Kentucky elementary teacher certification. It is one of seven MAT concentrations and requires a clinical practicum and student teaching (EDOL 698/699 Clinical III). Delivery is fully online at a flat $315 per credit hour under the university's One Price Promise, which bundles textbooks and academic support with no separate fees. This differs from UC's Master of Arts in Education, an advanced degree for already-licensed teachers that has no elementary track. It awards more master's-level elementary education degrees than any of Kentucky's 9 ranked master's-level programs, 303 in the most recent year. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Kentucky.
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 303 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Kentucky statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,610, roughly $67,226 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
Western Kentucky University
69score- 28Master's/yr
- $61,260Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Education, Advanced Teacher Education (Elementary Education concentration)
- Online
About the programWestern Kentucky University's Master of Arts in Education in Advanced Teacher Education, with its Elementary Education concentration, is aimed at teachers who already hold P-5 certification and want to grow deeper in their field. Delivered fully online at the distance-learning tuition rate, it fits the schedules of professionals staying in their classrooms while they study. The catalog lists 30 to 37 credit hours, pairing fifteen hours of specialization work in elementary curriculum, mathematics methods, science, social studies, and literacy with another fifteen hours shaped by school-district priorities, so the learning stays connected to the realities of a candidate's own district. The design points toward professional advancement and a Kentucky Rank II change rather than a first license. In short, it is built for practicing teachers who want to strengthen their craft and their standing. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Kentucky.
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 28 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Bowling Green, KY, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,260, roughly $67,932 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 Louisville
43score- 19Master's/yr
- $61,610Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education
About the programThis Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education is a graduate route into the profession for candidates who arrive without prior teaching licensure, leading to initial Kentucky certification for grades P-5. Across a minimum of 30 credit hours, the coursework moves through pedagogy, child development, special education, gifted education, technology, and diversity, giving new teachers a wide foundation. Fieldwork is taken seriously well before the finish line, since candidates must log 200 hours of approved field experiences and earn no lower than a C in every content methods class before they can student teach. Everything builds toward a 9 credit hour student teaching placement in an elementary school. The design reflects a program that wants its graduates classroom-ready, not just coursework-complete. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as 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 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.
- 5
Bellarmine University
35score- $23,100Est. total cost
- 6Master's/yr
- $61,610Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Elementary Education Track
- Hybrid
About the programBellarmine University's Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Track, is a 33 credit hour program that carries candidates who already hold a bachelor's degree toward initial Kentucky certification for Elementary Education, Grades P-5. It runs as an accelerated cohort in a hybrid rhythm, meeting one evening a week on campus and continuing online, then culminating in a full-time, in-person student teaching semester that puts theory into daily practice. Kentucky's requirement of at least 200 field observation hours across the first four semesters means candidates are in schools early and often, not just at the end. The coursework spans the breadth of elementary teaching, touching reading, mathematics, science, social studies, technology integration, and strategies for reaching diverse learners. Throughout, it stays focused as an initial-licensure pathway for those making their way into the profession. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Kentucky's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 6 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.
- 6
Morehead State University
32score- 1Master's/yr
- $60,610State teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Education (MAE), P-5 Elementary concentration
- Online
About the programThis Master of Arts in Education with a P-5 Elementary concentration is a 30 credit online program for teachers who already hold a valid teaching certificate; admission requires an existing certificate or statement of eligibility, so it does not lead to initial licensure. Courses are delivered fully online in fall and spring, with four- and eight-week online sessions in summer, and motivated teachers can finish in about 15 to 18 months. It is an advanced in-service degree that deepens elementary content and pedagogy for practicing P-5 educators rather than preparing new teachers for their first credential. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Kentucky.
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 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Kentucky statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,610, roughly $67,226 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
Eastern Kentucky University
31score- 3Master's/yr
- $60,610State teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education (P-5) concentration
- Online
About the programEastern Kentucky University's Master of Arts in Teaching offers an Elementary Education (P-5) concentration, a 32 credit-hour clinical program leading to initial Kentucky elementary teacher certification for candidates who hold a non-teaching bachelor's degree. Coursework is delivered 100% online, but the degree requires weekly availability for school-based clinical experiences during fall and spring semesters. The program is approved by Kentucky's Education Professional Standards Board. This differs from EKU's M.A.Ed. in Elementary Education, a 30-hour advanced degree for teachers already certified to teach elementary school. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as 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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Kentucky statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,610, roughly $67,226 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
Murray State University
23score- 1Master's/yr
- $60,610State teacher pay
About the programMurray State University's Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education houses the undergraduate Elementary Education P-5 certification degree along with several graduate programs. Its master's offerings include the M.A.Ed. in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, covering birth to primary, and the M.A.Ed. in Reading and Writing, a P-12 literacy specialist endorsement for already-licensed teachers, as well as programs in Special Education and Library Media. Graduate study in the department centers on these areas rather than an elementary initial-licensure track. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Kentucky.
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 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Kentucky statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,610, roughly $67,226 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
Asbury University
22score- 4Master's/yr
- $61,460Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), Elementary Education P-5
- Online
About the programThis Master of Arts in Teaching leads to Kentucky initial teaching certification with an Elementary Education P-5 emphasis, one of several MAT specialization tracks. It is designed for people holding a bachelor's degree who want first-time licensure, not for already-certified teachers. Classes are 100 percent online in eight-week blocks, with completion in roughly six to eight semesters or as few as 18 months. Candidates may follow a traditional route with a full semester of student teaching, or Kentucky's Option 6 alternative route, teaching under a temporary provisional certificate while studying. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Kentucky.
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 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Lexington-Fayette, KY, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,460, roughly $66,165 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 Kentucky
- Kentucky has 9 accredited master's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
- Northern Kentucky University ranks first among elementary education master's programs in Kentucky with a score of 72, on a 52 percent graduation rate.
- University of the Cumberlands is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Kentucky, at $13,230 a year in-state tuition.
- Asbury University posts the highest graduation rate among elementary education programs in Kentucky, at 65 percent.
- Elementary school teachers in Kentucky earn a median of $60,610 a year (BLS), ranking Kentucky 35 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
- 3 of the master's in elementary education programs in Kentucky offer an online or hybrid option.
- Kentucky requires the Praxis licensure exam, administered through Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board, to earn a teaching license.
What a master's in elementary education costs in Kentucky (2026)
Published in-state tuition for a master's in elementary education in Kentucky runs from $13,230 to $23,100 a year across the 9 programs we rank, with a median of $13,230. The most affordable is University of the Cumberlands at $13,230 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 57 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 Kentucky
Elementary school teachers in Kentucky earn a median of $60,610 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks Kentucky 35 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 Kentucky is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.
How to get a Kentucky teaching license
To teach in Kentucky you need a master's in elementary education (or a bachelor's plus an approved preparation program), a supervised student-teaching placement, and a Kentucky teaching license issued by Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board. Kentucky calls the initial credential the Professional Certificate, and earning it means passing Praxis (The Praxis Series) plus a background check.
The EPSB is administratively housed within the Kentucky Department of Education. Confirm your program is currently state-approved before you enroll.
Sources: Kentucky educator certification, Praxis exam
Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Kentucky
Pick a master's in elementary education in Kentucky that is regionally accredited and whose educator-preparation program is approved by the Kentucky Department of Education, ideally with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation. State approval is what lets the degree count toward a Kentucky teaching license, and CAEP is the national standard for program quality, so confirm both before enrolling in any elementary education program in Kentucky.
Sources: CAEP accreditation
Online and hybrid elementary education programs in Kentucky
3 of the master's in elementary education programs in Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky
How many master's in elementary education programs are in Kentucky?
There are 9 accredited master's in elementary education programs in Kentucky in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.
What is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Kentucky?
University of the Cumberlands is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Kentucky, at $13,230 a year in in-state tuition.
How much do elementary school teachers make in Kentucky?
Elementary school teachers in Kentucky earn a median of $60,610 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 Kentucky?
Kentucky requires the Praxis (The Praxis Series) licensure exam, administered for Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board. 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 Kentucky?
For most future teachers, yes. A master's in elementary education in Kentucky is the standard credential for a Kentucky teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $60,610 a year in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 9 master's in elementary education in Kentucky 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 Kentucky.