Best Master's in Elementary Education Programs in Massachusetts

All 16 Elementary Education master's-level programs in Massachusetts, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.

A master's in elementary education can lead to initial Massachusetts licensure or advance a licensed teacher's career, and Massachusetts has 16 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. Merrimack College ranks first with a score of 63, on a 70 percent graduation rate.

Elementary school teachers in Massachusetts earn a median of $94,000 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, Massachusetts licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in Massachusetts on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.

16Programs analyzed
$16,500 to $82,152/yrIn-state tuition
$94,000/yrMedian elementary school teacher pay in Massachusetts
Merrimack CollegeTop-ranked

← Best Master's in Elementary Education nationally

Elementary Education master's-level programs in Massachusetts, compared by score
1Merrimack College63
2Bridgewater State University57
3Boston College56
4Salem State University53
5Boston University42
6American International College41
7Northeastern University Professional Programs38
8Endicott College38
9Westfield State University35
10Framingham State University35
11Emmanuel College35
12Gordon College32

Plus 4 more programs ranked below, listed in full underneath.

  1. 1

    Merrimack College

    North Andover, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    63score
    • $22,320Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 64Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education (Grades 1-6)
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    This 36-credit M.Ed. in Elementary Education prepares candidates for a Massachusetts initial teaching license in grades 1-6 and includes the Sheltered English Instruction endorsement. It comprises eight courses plus a practicum, and each course may be taken online or on campus, giving a flexible delivery. Candidates complete three pre-practicum observation experiences and one full-time 450-hour, 15-week practicum in an elementary classroom under mentor supervision. The program is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and leads to initial licensure for those without prior teaching credentials. It can be done full-time in 13 months or part-time over two to three years. It awards more master's-level elementary education degrees than any of Massachusetts's 16 ranked master's-level programs, 64 in the most recent year. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as 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 64 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. 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
  2. 2

    Bridgewater State University

    Bridgewater, MAPublic

    57score
    • 42Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • Elementary Education (Initial Licensure), MEd
    About the program

    The Elementary Education (Initial Licensure) MEd prepares candidates who already hold a bachelor's degree to earn a Massachusetts initial teaching license for Grades 1-6, an initial-licensure pathway. Candidates complete a student-teaching practicum in an elementary school serving Grades 1-6, and the program is designed to satisfy Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements. The department indicates classes may be offered in person, online, or in a hybrid format. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Massachusetts.

    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 42 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. 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
  3. 3

    Boston College

    Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate nonprofit

    56score
    • $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

    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 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
  4. 4

    Salem State University

    Salem, MAPublic

    53score
    • 33Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education, Elementary Education, Initial Licensure
    • Online
    About the program

    Salem State University's Master of Education in Elementary Education, Initial Licensure, prepares newcomers to the profession for a Massachusetts grades 1-6 preliminary teaching license. Coursework is delivered online through a mix of synchronous and asynchronous classes, most meeting after 4:30 pm, a schedule clearly built around people who work during the day. Pacing is flexible too, with options to finish in one accelerated year, over two years, or at a self-directed rhythm, and total credits range from 30 to 39 depending on what candidates bring in. A full-year, full-time classroom placement spanning a fall pre-practicum and spring practicum gives candidates sustained time to grow as teachers. Passing the MTEL exams opens the door to the preliminary license, and the program remains an initial-licensure route rather than advanced study for teachers who are already certified. 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 33 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
  5. 5

    Boston University

    Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit

    42score
    • $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
  6. 6

    American International College

    Springfield, MAPrivate nonprofit

    41score
    • $16,500Est. total cost
    • 17Master's/yr
    • $79,640Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Elementary Education
    About the program

    This Master of Education in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach Grades 1 through 6 and leads to a Massachusetts Initial License. The licensure track totals 33 credits (the non-licensure track is 30 credits), and includes a 300-hour practicum in an approved Massachusetts public school along with a Sheltered English Immersion course. Candidates must pass the Communication and Literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure. This is an initial-licensure pathway into elementary teaching, not an advanced degree for already-licensed teachers. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Massachusetts'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 17 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Springfield, MA, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,640, roughly $82,906 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

    Northeastern University Professional Programs

    Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit

    38score
    • $33,975Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 4Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education (Boston)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    This is a 45-quarter-hour on-site Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education at the Boston campus, approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for initial licensure in grades 1-6. It is designed for aspiring teachers and career changers and leads to initial teacher licensure, not an advanced degree for already-licensed teachers. Candidates complete prepracticum experiential fieldwork of at least 55 hours in K-12 public school settings plus a full-time 14-week teaching practicum and seminar with a supervising practitioner and university supervisor. Optional MAT+ coursework can add moderate-disabilities special education or ESL endorsements. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers 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
  8. 8

    Endicott College

    Beverly, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    38score
    • $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
  9. 9

    Westfield State University

    Westfield, MAPublic

    35score
    • $17,240Est. total cost
    • 3Master's/yr
    • $79,640Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.), Elementary 1-6, Initial
    • AAQEP-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Westfield State University's 40-credit Master of Education in Elementary Education, for grades 1 to 6, is an initial-licensure program that moves candidates toward their first Massachusetts teaching license. It deliberately weds graduate coursework to extensive time in schools, including a pre-practicum placement and a supervised student teaching practicum, so candidates learn as much in real classrooms as in seminar. Along the way they must pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure, the state's benchmark for entering the profession. Classes meet in late afternoons and evenings on campus, with some sections running year-round across fall, spring, and summer to keep the sequence moving. Holding AAQEP accreditation, the program is aimed at people seeking a first license rather than teachers who already hold one. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers 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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Springfield, MA, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,640, roughly $82,906 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

    Framingham State University

    Framingham, MAPublic

    35score
    • 5Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.), Concentration in Elementary Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    This is a 10-course Master of Education concentration in Elementary Education (four core, four content, two curriculum-specific courses) delivered on campus at Framingham, MA. The program serves candidates through either an Initial Licensure specialization or a Track to Professional Licensure for teachers already holding the Massachusetts Elementary 1-6 Initial License who want to advance to the Professional License. Completion requires a professional portfolio aligned to Massachusetts Professional Standards and an oral comprehensive examination taken in the final semester. Certification targets Massachusetts elementary grades 1 to 6. 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 5 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
  11. 11

    Emmanuel College

    Boston, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    35score
    • $26,400Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 6Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.), Elementary Education
    • Online
    About the program

    This 36-credit online Master of Education prepares candidates for Massachusetts initial licensure in elementary teaching (grades 1-6). It comprises 10 courses (30 credits) plus practicum experiences worth 6 credits, delivered as synchronous seven-week courses for working professionals. Candidates must pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (Communication and Literacy, General Curriculum multi-subject and math, Foundations of Reading) before the student teaching practicum. A 30-credit non-licensure concentration is also offered for those not seeking a license. 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 6 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
  12. 12

    Gordon College

    Wenham, MAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    32score
    • 1Master's/yr
    • $98,060Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education, Elementary Education (Initial Teacher Licensure)
    • Online
    About the program

    Gordon College offers its Master of Education in Elementary Education on an initial-licensure track, a 39-credit online program that leads to Massachusetts teacher licensure for grades 1-6. The coursework moves through teaching strategies, the science of reading, human development, exceptionality, and classroom management, and several courses fold in pre-practicum field components so candidates spend time in schools well before the finish. Everything converges on a culminating practicum and seminar. Along the way, students must pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure and complete a state-required Sheltered English Immersion course, which sits outside the degree credit count. For teachers who already hold a license, a separate professional-licensure track exists, keeping this pathway focused squarely on candidates earning their first credential. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Massachusetts'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 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
  13. 13

    Fitchburg State University

    Fitchburg, MAPublicOnline available

    30score
    • 4Master's/yr
    • $82,810Metro teacher pay
    • Elementary Education (1-6), MEd (initial licensure)
    • AAQEP-accredited
    • Online
    About the program

    Fitchburg State University's Elementary Education MEd is a fully online, 39 credit path to the Massachusetts initial license for grades 1 to 6, made for candidates who hold a bachelor's degree but not yet a teaching license. Fieldwork remains central despite the online format, with a practicum and a Candidate Assessment of Performance that candidates enter after clearing a Stage 2 review, so classroom readiness is checked along the way. Tuition through the School of Graduate, Online, and Continuing Education runs $195 per credit, joined by $152 per credit in mandatory service, capital, and technology fees, and a $58 per credit online program fee may apply as well. The program holds full AAQEP accreditation through December 31, 2030. Together these details make it a transparent, licensure-focused option for aspiring elementary teachers who need the flexibility of studying online. 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 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Worcester, MA, where elementary teachers earn a median $82,810, roughly $80,772 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

    Worcester State University

    Worcester, MAPublic

    28score
    • 12Master's/yr
    • $82,810Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education
    • Online
    About the program

    This is a 100% online, 34 credit Master of Education in Elementary Education aimed at working professionals. It does not lead to initial teacher licensure. Teacher licensure is not required for admission, and the university states plainly that the program does not lead to initial licensure, though a candidate who already holds an initial Massachusetts license may use the degree to self-petition for professional (advanced) licensure in Massachusetts. There is no student teaching or initial field-placement requirement. Tuition is pay-by-the-course at $409 per credit hour. It is an advanced, in-service degree rather than a certification pathway. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers 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 12 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Worcester, MA, where elementary teachers earn a median $82,810, roughly $80,772 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

    Anna Maria College

    Paxton, MAPrivate nonprofit

    26score
    • 6Master's/yr
    • $82,810Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.), Elementary (1-6) concentration
    About the program

    Anna Maria College offers its Master of Education through the School of Professional Studies, and the program has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education since 1982, a long track record of preparing new teachers. The Elementary concentration certifies grades 1 to 6 and sits alongside Early Childhood and Moderate Disabilities tracks, all of them routes to a first Massachusetts license. Candidates move through twelve courses that build toward a culminating student teaching Practicum and Seminar, where classroom experience and reflection come together. Flexibility runs throughout, since the M.Ed. is available on campus, online, and in hybrid formats to suit different lives and schedules. Because it is an initial-licensure degree, it is designed for people who are not yet licensed and are stepping into teaching for the first time. 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 6 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Worcester, MA, where elementary teachers earn a median $82,810, roughly $80,772 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

    Smith College

    Northampton, MAPrivate nonprofit

    20score
    • $72,960Est. tuition (excl. fees)
    • 1Master's/yr
    • $79,900Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), elementary track
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Smith's M.A.T. is a liberal-arts-grounded teacher preparation program requiring a minimum of 32 semester hours. The elementary track leads to Massachusetts Initial Educator Licensure for grades 1 through 6 and requires participation in the summer session. Coursework combines the learning sciences, human development, and educational theory with intensive classroom experience. Students complete a full-time teaching practicum in the spring semester, teaching daily from roughly 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program is taught on campus and can be completed full time in one academic year plus the required summer, or part time over two years. All admitted full-time students receive scholarship support. 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 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Amherst Town-Northampton, MA, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,900, roughly $79,706 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 Massachusetts

  • Massachusetts has 16 accredited master's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
  • Merrimack College ranks first among elementary education master's programs in Massachusetts with a score of 63, on a 70 percent graduation rate.
  • American International College is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Massachusetts, at $16,500 a year in-state tuition.
  • Boston College posts the highest graduation rate among elementary education programs in Massachusetts, at 91 percent.
  • Elementary school teachers in Massachusetts earn a median of $94,000 a year (BLS), ranking Massachusetts 4 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
  • 5 of the master's in elementary education programs in Massachusetts offer an online or hybrid option.
  • Massachusetts requires the MTEL licensure exam, administered through Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Educator Licensure, to earn a teaching license.

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

Published in-state tuition for a master's in elementary education in Massachusetts runs from $16,500 to $82,152 a year across the 16 programs we rank, with a median of $26,400. The most affordable is American International College at $16,500 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 64 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 Massachusetts

Elementary school teachers in Massachusetts earn a median of $94,000 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks Massachusetts 4 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 Massachusetts is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.

Sources: BLS OEWS wages, BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

How to get a Massachusetts teaching license

To teach in Massachusetts you need a master's in elementary education (or a bachelor's plus an approved preparation program), a supervised student-teaching placement, and a Massachusetts teaching license issued by Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Educator Licensure. Massachusetts calls the initial credential the Initial License, and earning it means passing MTEL (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure) plus a background check.

MTEL is administered by Pearson and includes a Communication and Literacy Skills test plus subject-matter tests. Confirm your program is currently state-approved before you enroll.

Sources: Massachusetts educator certification, MTEL exam

Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Massachusetts

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

Sources: CAEP accreditation

Online and hybrid elementary education programs in Massachusetts

5 of the master's in elementary education programs in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts

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

There are 16 accredited master's in elementary education programs in Massachusetts in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.

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

American International College is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Massachusetts, at $16,500 a year in in-state tuition.

How much do elementary school teachers make in Massachusetts?

Elementary school teachers in Massachusetts earn a median of $94,000 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 Massachusetts?

Massachusetts requires the MTEL (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure) licensure exam, administered for Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Educator Licensure. See the <a href="https://www.mtel.nesinc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">official exam page</a> for current test requirements.

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

For most future teachers, yes. A master's in elementary education in Massachusetts is the standard credential for a Massachusetts teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $94,000 a year in Massachusetts. 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 Massachusetts for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 16 master's in elementary education in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts.

Sources

Elementary Education in other states