Best Master's in Elementary Education Programs in New York
All 39 Elementary Education master's-level programs in New York, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.
A master's in elementary education can lead to initial New York licensure or advance a licensed teacher's career, and New York has 39 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. State University of New York at New Paltz ranks first with a score of 69, on a 72 percent graduation rate.
Elementary school teachers in New York earn a median of $85,760 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, New York licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in New York on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.
- 1
State University of New York at New Paltz
69score- 32Master's/yr
- $97,920Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Teaching (MST) in Childhood Education 1-6
- Hybrid
About the programThe MST in Childhood Education 1-6 is a 37 credit program for students holding a liberal arts undergraduate degree who seek New York State initial/professional certification to teach grades 1 through 6. Courses are delivered in a hybrid in-person and online format. Candidates complete three fieldwork placements totaling at least 120 hours before two student teaching placements, one in grades B-3 and one in grades 4-6, each worth 3 credits, plus a 1 credit seminar. The program can be finished in four semesters full time or up to two years part time, and must be completed within five years. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 32 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Kingston, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $97,920, roughly $97,231 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.
- 2
University at Buffalo
66score- $26,847Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 44Master's/yr
- $76,490Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education (EdM) in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
- On-campus
About the programThe Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) EdM is a 57 credit initial/professional program for graduate students without an undergraduate education degree who seek New York State certification to teach grades 1 through 6. All courses are offered 100 percent in person. The initial track includes a year of intensive mentored field experience in one of UB's liaison schools. Applicants must have majored in or completed 30 credit hours in a liberal arts content area. Graduates earn institutional recommendation for New York State initial and professional certification. Full-time and part-time options run 1 to 2 years. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 44 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,490, roughly $79,807 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.
- 3
CUNY Hunter College
65score- $18,800In-state tuition
- $34,200Out-of-state tuition
- 61Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
- On-campus
About the programCUNY Hunter College offers a Master of Science in Education in Childhood Education for candidates preparing to teach grades 1 through 6. The in-person program is designed for students without prior teaching certification and leads to New York State initial certification in childhood education. Classes are offered mostly in the afternoon and evening for flexibility, and the program includes clinical field experiences in schools. It is intended for those entering the profession rather than already-certified teachers. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as 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 61 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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
Mercy University
63score- $36,960Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 41Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Childhood Education, Grades 1-6
- Hybrid
About the programMercy University's Master of Science in Childhood Education is a 33 credit program that leads to New York initial and professional certification for teaching grades 1 through 6. For candidates without prior teaching experience, the path runs through twenty days of supervised student teaching in each certification area, with clinical practice folded into a semester-long capstone that pulls the training together. The structure bends to fit different lives, letting full-time candidates take nine to twelve credits a term and part-time candidates three to six. Classes meet at the Dobbs Ferry, Bronx, and Manhattan campuses as well as online, each carrying a required online component between meetings, so location is rarely a barrier. Candidates who want to broaden their reach can pursue dual and triple certification options that add Early Childhood and Students with Disabilities, and the program holds CAEP accreditation. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York'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 41 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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
Niagara University
62score- $34,710Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 245Master's/yr
- $76,490Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.), Elementary Education
- Online
About the programThis 39-credit online Master of Science in Education leads to New York initial certification, with an elementary track certifying early childhood and childhood (Birth-Grade 6) and a secondary track certifying grades 5-12. Delivery is 100% online with synchronous and asynchronous options. Candidates complete about 150 field hours plus full-time student teaching across two 7-week placements (or one 14-week placement) and meet edTPA requirements, and must pass a comprehensive evaluation before graduating. The program is described as CAEP accredited on the university page. Designed for candidates who are not yet certified teachers, it can be finished in three semesters. It awards more master's-level elementary education degrees than any of New York's 39 ranked master's-level programs, 245 in the most recent year. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 245 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,490, roughly $79,807 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
CUNY Brooklyn College
61score- 46Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- M.S. in Education, Childhood Education Teacher (Grades 1-6)
About the programThis is an M.S. in Education preparing childhood education teachers for grades 1-6. It is offered in three tracks: Options A and B (30 and 30-33 credits) lead only to the New York State Professional Certificate and are for teachers who already hold initial certification, while Option C (30-39 credits) leads to both the Initial and Professional Certificates for candidates entering without prior teaching certification. Grade band is grades 1-6, which is elementary. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 46 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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
SUNY College at Potsdam
57score- 100Master's/yr
- $85,760State teacher pay
- Master of Science for Teachers (M.S.T.) in Childhood Education
- Online
About the programThis Master of Science for Teachers in Childhood Education is a 50 credit initial-certification program for candidates who do not already hold a teaching certificate, leading to New York State certification to teach Grades 1-6. It is delivered 100 percent online with no on-campus requirement and can be completed in as few as three full-time semesters. Candidates complete 100 hours of fieldwork before a full student-teaching semester consisting of two 8-week placements. Instructors can advise a pathway toward additional Birth-Grade 2 certification. This is a licensure-track degree, not an in-service degree for already-certified teachers. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 100 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into New York statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $85,760, roughly $79,466 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
CUNY Queens College
54score- $16,920In-state tuition
- $30,780Out-of-state tuition
- 33Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
About the programQueens College's Master of Arts in Teaching in Childhood Education is made for applicants who hold a liberal arts or sciences bachelor's but have never been certified to teach, offering them a first route into the profession. Across 36 credits and twelve courses, including a one-semester student teaching placement, the program builds toward both New York State initial and professional certification for grades 1 through 6. Candidates are expected to hold a B average, complete required workshops, and pass the state's CST and EAS certification exams before they finish. The emphasis throughout is on readying subject-strong graduates for the elementary classroom, translating their undergraduate learning into teaching practice. It is an initial-certification pathway rather than a degree for teachers already in service. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York'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 33 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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
CUNY City College
52score- 17Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Childhood Education
About the programAt CUNY City College, the Master of Science in Education in Childhood Education leads to New York State certification for grades 1 through 6 and adapts to where candidates are starting from. Those entering with a liberal-arts or science bachelor's follow the Masters and Initial Certification track, a 40- to 46-credit route that layers in more than 100 hours of field experience and a full-time, fifteen-week, 300-hour student teaching placement. Candidates who already teach, or who want to cross-certify into childhood education, can instead take a leaner 31-credit track toward professional certification. That range lets the program serve both newcomers seeking first licensure and experienced teachers deepening their credentials. Its School of Education is accredited by NCATE, the predecessor body now folded into CAEP. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 17 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
- 10
University at Albany
51score- $18,490In-state tuition
- $36,520Out-of-state tuition
- 21Master's/yr
- $79,240Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Childhood Education
- Hybrid
About the programUnlike programs built for newcomers, the University at Albany's Master of Science in Childhood Education is an advanced, in-service degree for teachers already in the field, so applicants must hold initial New York State certification in childhood education or permanent certification in another content area, and completion earns professional certification for grades 1 through 6. Its 30 credits concentrate 27 required credits in literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies instruction, then add three elective credits and a culminating project. Working teachers can shape the pace to their lives, studying part-time online or part-time or full-time on campus. The program holds AAQEP accreditation through June 2028 and is registered by the New York State Education Department. In-state tuition runs $616.33 per credit. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 21 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,240, roughly $79,585 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.
- 11
Teachers College at Columbia University
50score- $74,585Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 18Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- M.A. in Elementary Inclusive Education
About the programTeachers College at Columbia University offers its Master of Arts in Elementary Inclusive Education through the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, and the name signals its commitment to preparing teachers for classrooms where all learners belong. The standard initial-certification track runs 35 points and leads to New York State initial certification in Childhood Education for grades 1 to 6, giving candidates a clear route into the profession. Those who want to reach further can choose a 44-point dual track that adds Teaching Students with Disabilities certification, or a 56-point option that layers on a gifted-education extension. A separate 32-point non-certification track serves educators who want to work in inclusive classrooms without pursuing a license. Tuition for 2025-2026 is $2,131 per point, charged the same to all students regardless of residency. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.
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 18 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
- 12
CUNY Lehman College
50score- 28Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education (MSEd), Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
About the programCUNY Lehman College offers a Master of Science in Education in Childhood Education for candidates preparing to teach grades 1 through 6, leading to initial New York State teacher certification. Students study elementary teaching methods and complete classroom fieldwork before a semester of student teaching in local Bronx Professional Development Schools. A bilingual extension option is available for those who want to add that credential. The program is built for people entering teaching with a bachelor's degree in another field. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 28 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
- 13
Long Island University
48score- $73,185Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 17Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Early Childhood/Childhood Education (Dual Certification)
About the programThis 51-credit Master of Science in Early Childhood/Childhood Education is a dual-certification program leading to initial New York State teacher certification in both Early Childhood (Birth to Grade 2) and Childhood Education (Grades 1 to 6). It includes 42 credits of education coursework, a 3-credit preschool practicum, and 6 credits of supervised student teaching, with half of the student teaching in a kindergarten to 2nd grade classroom and half in a 4th through 6th grade classroom. The program states it meets New York State master's degree requirements for Professional Teaching Certification. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 17 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
- 14
Le Moyne College
48score- 23Master's/yr
- $78,560Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science for Teachers (MST) in Inclusive Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
- AAQEP-accredited
About the programThis 39-credit Master of Science for Teachers leads to New York State initial certification in Inclusive Childhood Education, Grades 1-6, meaning it prepares candidates to teach both general and special education at the elementary level. It is an initial-certification pathway designed for applicants who hold a bachelor's degree but no prior teacher certification, not an in-service degree. Le Moyne is a Regular Member in good standing of AAQEP and is fully accredited by that body. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as 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 23 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Syracuse, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,560, roughly $82,054 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.
- 15
College of Staten Island CUNY
47score- $16,920In-state tuition
- $30,780Out-of-state tuition
- 23Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
About the programThis Master of Science in Education in Childhood Education prepares candidates for New York State initial certification to teach grades 1 through 6. It totals 36 graduate credits over roughly two years and is offered in more than one sequence, including a 15-month teacher-residency track with a full-year paid apprenticeship in a host school. The program provides the coursework and supervised clinical experience required for initial certification and serves candidates with or without a prior education background. It is an initial-licensure elementary pathway, not an advanced degree for already-certified teachers. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as 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 23 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
- 16
State University of New York at Oswego
46score- $19,782Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 17Master's/yr
- $78,560Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Teaching (MST), Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
- On-campus
About the programSUNY Oswego offers a Master of Science in Teaching in Childhood Education leading to New York State initial certification for grades 1-6. The program totals 42 credit hours and runs as a full-time 12-month cohort at the Syracuse campus, beginning in May and finishing the following May. Candidates complete two full-time 15-week field placements in the fall and spring working with a mentor teacher in the Syracuse City School District. This is an initial-certification pathway for candidates entering teaching, not an in-service degree for already-certified teachers. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 17 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Syracuse, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,560, roughly $82,054 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.
- 17
Iona University
46score- $42,705Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 12Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.), Childhood Education (1-6)
- AAQEP-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programIona University's 39-credit Master of Science in Teaching in Childhood Education is a route to New York State initial certification for grades 1 to 6, designed for career changers stepping into the classroom rather than teachers already licensed. The coursework reflects the many demands of an elementary teacher, building from literacy development into instruction and assessment methods across mathematics, social studies, science, and multicultural education, and grounding it all in the foundations of special education and educational philosophy, capped by a research thesis project. A six-credit observation and student teaching placement at the childhood level gives candidates extended, supervised time with real students. Delivery is hybrid, pairing evening classes with fieldwork in partner schools so working adults can keep other commitments. The program carries AAQEP accreditation. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 12 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
- 18
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
46score- 36Master's/yr
- $85,760State teacher pay
- Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.), Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
- Online
About the programThis 42-credit Master of Science in Teaching in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) is delivered 100% online, with no on-campus class attendance required. Students with a bachelor's degree complete the program toward New York State initial certification to teach grades 1 through 6. A face-to-face student teaching placement is required and cannot be completed online. Full-time students can finish in three semesters. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 36 master's degrees a year, one of the larger cohorts in the specialty. Its graduates step into New York statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $85,760, roughly $79,466 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.
- 19
Manhattanville University
45score- $40,950Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 18Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
- Hybrid
About the programManhattanville's Master of Arts in Teaching in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) is a 39-credit initial-certification program leading to New York State certification to teach grades 1 through 6. It is designed for candidates whose bachelor's degrees are outside education as well as those seeking the graduate study New York requires for certification. Classes run in a hybrid format, combining online and evening in-person sessions. Candidates complete 100 hours of fieldwork before a capstone student teaching placement arranged through professional development schools in New York districts. This program leads to initial licensure, not an in-service degree. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 18 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
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Fordham University
44score- $64,764Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 8Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Childhood Education, M.S.T.
About the programThis Master of Science in Teaching leads to New York State initial certification in Childhood Education for grades 1 to 6 and requires no prior certification. It totals 36 credits and combines coursework in child development, inclusive elementary instructional practices, and professional studies with linked field experiences. The program culminates in a full year of student teaching, with candidates in classrooms four full days per week across the fall and spring semesters, plus a student teaching seminar and a childhood education portfolio capstone. Fordham offers the program on campus at Lincoln Center and online, full time or part time. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 8 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
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Syracuse University
41score- $83,440Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 4Master's/yr
- $78,560Metro teacher pay
- Childhood Education (Grades 1-6, Preparation), M.S.
- On-campus
About the programSyracuse University's preparation-track Master of Science in Childhood Education carries no prerequisite of prior certification, opening a first route to New York State initial licensure for grades 1 through 6. The 40-credit degree is designed to be intense and quick, typically completed in sixteen months of full-time study. Every semester puts candidates in schools through multiple daytime field placements across a variety of school and community settings, including full-time teaching placements that build real classroom command. Study takes place on campus through the School of Education, keeping students connected to faculty and one another. A standout opportunity is the Baldanza Fellows Program, which can provide selected applicants with full tuition scholarships plus living expenses. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York'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 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Syracuse, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,560, roughly $82,054 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.
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Sarah Lawrence College
41score- 7Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education (MSEd), Art of Teaching
- On-campus
About the programThe Art of Teaching MSEd is a two-year, in-person program built around close observation of children from birth through sixth grade. Students complete extensive fieldwork, including work in the college's on-campus Early Childhood Center and student teaching placements in public and independent schools during the third and fourth semesters. The 68-credit program leads to New York State initial certification in three areas: Childhood Education (1-6), Early Childhood Education (birth to grade 2), and Early Childhood Students with Disabilities. One summer course is delivered online; the rest is on campus in Bronxville. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 7 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
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Adelphi University
40score- 7Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Childhood Education
- Hybrid
About the programAdelphi University's Master of Arts in Childhood Education is designed for students who do not yet hold elementary certification, guiding them toward New York State initial certification to teach grades 1 through 6. Full-time candidates typically finish in about two years, moving through coursework in child development and in methods for teaching subjects such as English language arts, mathematics, and science at the elementary level. Student teaching anchors the experience, with placements available in Nassau, Suffolk, and New York City schools that expose candidates to a range of communities. Classes begin in the evening from 4:30 onward and come in a flexible mix of in-person, online, and hybrid formats. This is a first-licensure route into teaching, not a degree for those already working in the field. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 7 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
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Wagner College
39score- $31,070Est. total cost
- 3Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- M.S.Ed. Childhood Education/Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6)
About the programWagner College's M.S.Ed. in Childhood Education/Students with Disabilities is a one-year cohort program leading to New York State initial certification in both general childhood education (Grades 1-6) and students with disabilities, a dual-certification initial-licensure route rather than an in-service degree. Candidates who complete the program qualify for initial and professional licensure in both general and special education. The educator preparation programs hold full seven-year AAQEP accreditation. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
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St. John's University-New York
39score- $54,120Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 4Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education in Childhood Education (Career Change)
About the programThis 33-credit Master of Science in Education in Childhood Education is a career-change track for graduates of non-education programs, leading to New York State initial certification to teach grades 1 through 6. Coursework covers differentiated, culturally responsive instruction and assessment for elementary learners. The final 6 credits are Childhood Associate Teaching (student teaching or internship). Classes are based at the Queens campus. The program prepares candidates for New York licensure; students seeking licensure elsewhere are directed to the professional licensure disclosure page. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
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New York Institute of Technology
37score- $70,200Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 4Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Childhood Education, M.S. (Grades 1-6)
About the programThe New York Institute of Technology's Master of Science in Childhood Education is a 39-credit initial-licensure program that prepares candidates for New York State certification to teach grades 1 to 6. Its coursework builds the foundations an elementary teacher relies on daily, moving through child development, curriculum design, effective instruction, and the thoughtful integration of technology into lessons across the grade span. Student teaching is a required part of the journey, and candidates become eligible to begin it once they have completed thirty semester hours, so classroom practice arrives after a solid grounding in theory. The catalog notes that the program runs in multiple formats, including online, face-to-face, and blended, on either a full-time or part-time basis. That flexibility makes it approachable for adults balancing study with work and other commitments. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 4 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
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SUNY Buffalo State University
37score- 21Master's/yr
- $76,490Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.), Childhood and Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction
About the programThis Master of Science in Education in Childhood and Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction is a 33-credit advanced degree for teachers who already hold certification, not an initial-licensure program. New York requires teachers to earn a master's within five years to maintain certification, and this degree fills that requirement while supporting advancement toward Professional certification. It offers concentrations such as Early Childhood, Literacy, and Gifted and Talented, with field-based courses capped at 15 students. It covers early childhood through elementary grades. Completing it does not by itself certify a candidate to begin teaching. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.
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 21 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,490, roughly $79,807 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.
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State University of New York at Cortland
36score- $20,253In-state tuition
- $24,295Out-of-state tuition
- 13Master's/yr
- $85,760State teacher pay
- Master of Science in Teaching (MST) in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
- Online
About the programThe MST in Childhood Education is a 43 credit hour program for candidates who hold a bachelor's degree in a liberal arts area and seek initial New York State certification to teach grades 1 to 6. It can be completed in about 12 months of accelerated full-time study or on a part-time pathway. Coursework is fully online, covering elementary mathematics, science, social studies, and literacy, while field work is in-person near the candidate's home. Candidates complete 175 practicum field hours plus one semester of full-time student teaching in an elementary classroom. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as 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 13 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $85,760, roughly $79,466 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.
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Russell Sage College
36score- $29,025Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 12Master's/yr
- $79,240Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Childhood/Literacy Education (Dual Certification)
About the programRussell Sage College's Master of Science in Childhood/Literacy Education is a dual-certification degree at the Esteves School of Education, shaped for candidates coming in without a prior education background. Its 45 credits lead to two New York State initial certifications at once, Childhood Education for grades 1 through 6 and Literacy across all grades. Candidates teach in two placements, one in early elementary and one in the upper elementary grades, and move through a dedicated clinical literacy sequence that deepens their reading and writing instruction. Before finishing, they must pass the required New York State certification examinations and the edTPA. Full-time students can complete the whole program in about two and a half years, leaving with a broader credential than a single certification would provide. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 12 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,240, roughly $79,585 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.
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Molloy University
36score- 5Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Childhood Education (1-6) - Initial Certification - M.S.
About the programMolloy University's Master of Science in Childhood Education is built for candidates who have not been certified before, leading to New York State initial certification for grades 1 through 6. Its 36 credits blend pedagogy, literacy, and content methods with the liberal arts distribution requirements set by the state education department, rounding out both how and what future teachers will teach. Before stepping into full-time student teaching, candidates log 100 hours of field observation and participation, easing gradually into classroom responsibility. Student teaching itself spans grades 1 through 3 and 4 through 6 placements and includes a required experience in a state-designated high-needs school, broadening where and whom graduates are prepared to teach. The program is formally registered with New York State. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
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Hofstra University
35score- 1Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Elementary Education
- On-campus
About the programHofstra University prepares elementary, or childhood, teachers for New York State initial certification covering grades 1 through 6, with two ways to pursue it. Candidates can earn a standalone Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education, or choose a dual-certificate version that adds Early Childhood, birth through grade 2, to the childhood grades, an option shaped for career changers coming in without prior teaching experience. Whichever path they take, students spend real time in schools through supervised field experience and student teaching, testing methods with live classrooms rather than only in theory. Classes meet in person during weekly evening sessions, a schedule that keeps the degree within reach for those balancing other commitments. Both routes lead the same direction, toward a credential to lead an elementary classroom. Graduates of this elementary education program at the master's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 1 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
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Utica University
35score- 5Master's/yr
- $77,010Metro teacher pay
- Childhood Education (M.S.)
- AAQEP-accredited
- On-campus
About the programOn-campus graduate teacher-education program in Utica University's Educator Preparation Program, which holds AAQEP accreditation covering all graduate programs. It prepares candidates for New York childhood (elementary) classroom teaching. Tuition is $1,069 per credit hour for 2026-2027 across all M.S. in Education specializations, with a $625 full-time per-semester comprehensive fee and a one-time $150 transition fee. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Utica-Rome, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $77,010, roughly $83,094 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.
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University of Rochester
33score- $53,940Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 6Master's/yr
- $62,840Metro teacher pay
- MS in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
About the programOffered through the Warner School of Education, the University of Rochester's Master of Science in Childhood Education readies candidates for New York State certification to teach grades 1 through 6, satisfying the coursework and internship requirements for both initial and professional certification. At just 29 credits, it can be finished full-time in roughly fifteen months when begun in summer, a compact timeline for those eager to enter teaching. The curriculum includes a methods course in each of the four core content areas plus the arts, paired with field experiences in elementary and inclusive elementary settings and a capstone that draws the learning together. Candidates who want to widen their reach can add inclusion or special education certification for grades 1 through 6 with a few extra credits. The result is a focused, flexible route into the elementary classroom. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 6 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Rochester, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $62,840, roughly $64,760 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.
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Bank Street College of Education
33score- 8Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education / Master of Education (Childhood General Education)
- Online
About the programBank Street's Childhood General Education program leads to a master's degree (MSEd or EdM) and New York State initial or professional certification for Childhood Education, Grades 1-6. It is offered online (33 credits) and on campus (45 credits); the on-campus option runs through Fall 2026 and will not be available afterward. Supervised fieldwork and advisement are integrated throughout, and working teachers may complete a year-long fieldwork placement at their school or take a student teaching placement Bank Street arranges with mentor teachers. This is an initial-licensure pathway for elementary teaching. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 8 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
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Nazareth University
32score- 17Master's/yr
- $62,840Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education, Inclusive Childhood Education
- Hybrid
About the programNazareth University's Master of Science in Education in Inclusive Childhood Education prepares candidates to teach New York grades 1 through 6, with tracks that meet teachers at different stages. Career changers and recent graduates of any major who are not yet certified follow the 42- or 48-credit initial certification track toward first NYS licensure, while already-certified teachers can pursue additional-certification tracks of 36 to 39 credits. What ties the program together is its clinical richness, since candidates complete fieldwork in urban, suburban, and rural schools and can take up teacher-residency options that include co-teaching alongside a mentor. The inclusive focus signals real attention to teaching learners of varied needs within the same classroom. Classes run mostly in the evening, offered in both traditional on-campus and hybrid, half-online formats. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in New York.
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 17 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Rochester, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $62,840, roughly $64,760 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.
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St. John Fisher University
31score- 6Master's/yr
- $62,840Metro teacher pay
- M.S. in Inclusive Childhood Education (Dual Initial Certification)
About the programThis Master of Science leads to New York dual initial certification in Childhood Education, grades 1 to 6, and Students with Disabilities. The traditional track runs about 33 to 36 credits, with a residency and apprenticeship track running longer. Candidates complete 100 hours of clinical field experience, including two 50-hour placements, before a semester-long student teaching internship. Residency and apprenticeship candidates may earn compensation while completing the degree. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in New York.
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 Rochester, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $62,840, roughly $64,760 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.
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Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
30score- 9Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Religious Education (New York School of Education)
About the programThe Master of Arts in Religious Education at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is built for those who want to lead Jewish learning rather than earn a state classroom license. Housed in the college's New York School of Education, it prepares educators and educational leaders for roles such as directors of lifelong learning, day school and early childhood directors, and congregational educators. The emphasis falls on shaping learning environments across the arc of Jewish life, from young children through adult community members. It is important to be clear about what the degree does not do: it is not a route to state elementary teacher licensure, and it does not certify graduates to teach in public elementary schools. Candidates seeking a classroom credential would instead look to the college's separate Los Angeles-based DeLeT program, which leads to a California day-school teaching credential. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New York.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 9 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 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.
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Canisius University
29score- $51,030Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 3Master's/yr
- $76,490Metro teacher pay
- Childhood Education 1-6 / Special Education All Grades (MSEd)
- On-campus
About the programThis is a 54 credit MSEd delivered on campus over about two years, leading to New York State initial certification in both Childhood Education (grades 1-6) and Teaching Students with Disabilities (all grades, PreK-12). It serves candidates seeking first-time teaching licensure through combined theory, research, and practicum experience, and includes scaffolded field placements. Canisius does not offer a standalone Childhood Education 1-6 master's; grades 1-6 initial certification is available only paired with another certification area. Coursework integrates general elementary pedagogy with special education methods. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,490, roughly $79,807 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.
- 39
Ithaca College
25score- 6Master's/yr
- $63,610Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Childhood Education
- On-campus
About the programIthaca College packs its Master of Science in Childhood Education into an intensive thirteen months, running from late May through late June of the following year for candidates ready to move quickly. The 38-credit degree leads to initial New York State certification for grades 1 through 6, making it a licensure-preparation route for people stepping into elementary teaching rather than a degree for those already in classrooms. Coursework is carefully sequenced across summer, fall, spring, and a closing summer term, so each stage builds on the last. Throughout, students take on hands-on field experiences in multiple and diverse school and community sites, gaining exposure to different kinds of learners and settings. The whole program is delivered on campus, keeping the cohort together through its fast-moving year. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of New York'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 Ithaca, NY, where elementary teachers earn a median $63,610, roughly $61,568 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 New York
- New York has 39 accredited master's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
- State University of New York at New Paltz ranks first among elementary education master's programs in New York with a score of 69, on a 72 percent graduation rate.
- CUNY Queens College is the most affordable master's in elementary education in New York, at $16,920 a year in-state tuition.
- University of Rochester posts the highest graduation rate among elementary education programs in New York, at 85 percent.
- Elementary school teachers in New York earn a median of $85,760 a year (BLS), ranking New York 6 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
- 3 of the master's in elementary education programs in New York offer an online or hybrid option.
- New York requires the NYSTCE licensure exam, administered through New York State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives, to earn a teaching license.
What a master's in elementary education costs in New York (2026)
Published in-state tuition for a master's in elementary education in New York runs from $16,920 to $83,440 a year across the 39 programs we rank, with a median of $36,960. The most affordable is CUNY Queens College at $16,920 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 63 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 New York
Elementary school teachers in New York earn a median of $85,760 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks New York 6 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 New York is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.
How to get a New York teaching license
To teach in New York you need a master's in elementary education (or a bachelor's plus an approved preparation program), a supervised student-teaching placement, and a New York teaching license issued by New York State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives. New York calls the initial credential the Initial Certificate, and earning it means passing NYSTCE (New York State Teacher Certification Examinations) plus a background check.
NYSTCE is administered by Pearson and includes the Educating All Students test and Content Specialty Tests. Confirm your program is currently state-approved before you enroll.
Sources: New York educator certification, NYSTCE exam
Choosing an accredited elementary education program in New York
Pick a master's in elementary education in New York that is regionally accredited and whose educator-preparation program is approved by the New York Department of Education, ideally with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation. State approval is what lets the degree count toward a New York teaching license, and CAEP is the national standard for program quality, so confirm both before enrolling in any elementary education program in New York.
Sources: CAEP accreditation
Online and hybrid elementary education programs in New York
3 of the master's in elementary education programs in New York 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 New York 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 New York
How many master's in elementary education programs are in New York?
There are 39 accredited master's in elementary education programs in New York in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.
What is the most affordable master's in elementary education in New York?
CUNY Queens College is the most affordable master's in elementary education in New York, at $16,920 a year in in-state tuition.
How much do elementary school teachers make in New York?
Elementary school teachers in New York earn a median of $85,760 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 New York?
New York requires the NYSTCE (New York State Teacher Certification Examinations) licensure exam, administered for New York State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives. See the <a href="https://www.nystce.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 New York?
For most future teachers, yes. A master's in elementary education in New York is the standard credential for a New York teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $85,760 a year in New York. 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 New York for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 39 master's in elementary education in New York 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 New York.