Best Master's in Elementary Education Programs in Pennsylvania
All 9 Elementary Education master's-level programs in Pennsylvania, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.
A master's in elementary education can lead to initial Pennsylvania licensure or advance a licensed teacher's career, and Pennsylvania has 9 accredited elementary education master's programs to compare. This ranking scores every one on the outcomes that actually affect your return: graduation rate, in-state affordability, and selectivity, all pulled from the public federal IPEDS database. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania ranks first with a score of 67, on a 54 percent graduation rate.
Elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $77,060 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, Pennsylvania licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in Pennsylvania on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.
- 1
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
67score- $22,622In-state total cost
- $33,677Out-of-state total cost
- 19Master's/yr
- $79,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education, PK-4 Initial Certification
About the programThis M.Ed. in Elementary Education PK-4 Initial Certification is a 33 credit program (27 credits of coursework plus a 6-credit clinical field-experience professional semester) for candidates who hold a bachelor's degree and are seeking initial Pennsylvania teaching certification for grades PreK through 4. It leads to the Instructional I certificate. Kutztown offers course sections in daytime, evening, weekend, and online formats to accommodate working professionals, so delivery is mixed rather than a single mode. The program is nationally recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It combines methods coursework with hands-on field placements culminating in the clinical semester. 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 19 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Reading, PA, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,860, roughly $82,279 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
Lehigh University
52score- $28,770Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 6Master's/yr
- $79,040Metro teacher pay
- M.Ed. in Elementary Education and PreK-4 Teacher Certification
- On-campus
About the programThis M.Ed. prepares college graduates from non-education backgrounds to become certified Pennsylvania PreK-4 elementary teachers. Candidates complete a minimum of 14 courses totaling 42 credits, with mentored field placements beginning in the first semester and a culminating full semester of student teaching (TLT 444) in the fall or spring. The program is delivered on campus over roughly two years and leads to initial PreK-4 Level 1 certification. Optional dual certification in Special Education (PreK-12) or English as a Second Language is available with additional coursework. Pennsylvania certification carries reciprocity in most states. As a master's degree in elementary education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania.
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 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,040, roughly $79,065 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market. Institutional standing and accreditation fill out the rest of the score.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 3
Marywood University
49score- 3Master's/yr
- $76,590Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Early Childhood & Elementary Education PK-4
About the programThis is a Master of Arts in Teaching for career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field and want to enter teaching. It leads to initial Pennsylvania Instructional I certification for grades PK-4, the state's early childhood and elementary band. The program runs 49 to 60 semester hours depending on prior coursework. Field work is staged: a Level I placement of at least 90 hours one full day weekly, Level II practicum of at least 100 hours, and a full semester of student teaching that typically includes two placements. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania.
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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, where elementary teachers earn a median $76,590, roughly $81,865 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
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
43score- 11Master's/yr
- $77,060State teacher pay
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Elementary Education
- Online
About the programEast Stroudsburg University shapes its 30-credit M.Ed. in Elementary Education for educators who are already at work and want to sharpen what they do. Rather than asynchronous modules, the core and elective ELED courses meet synchronously in a live Zoom classroom, keeping the experience connected even at a distance. The credits break into a 9-credit ELED core, 12 credits of ELED electives, and 9 credits of general electives, giving candidates room to shape the degree toward their interests. Early childhood, elementary, and middle level teachers, along with administrators and curriculum coordinators, make up the intended audience. Because it assumes candidates already teach, the program includes no student teaching and does not lead to initial certification, positioning it as professional growth rather than a first license. A master's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania.
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 11 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Pennsylvania statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $77,060, roughly $78,978 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
University of Pennsylvania
41score- $115,920Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 14Master's/yr
- $78,570Metro teacher pay
- M.S.Ed. in Elementary Education (Urban Teaching Apprenticeship)
- On-campus
About the programPenn GSE's Urban Teaching Apprenticeship awards a Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education over an intensive, ten-month, full-time program that begins in summer and unfolds on campus. True to its name, the apprenticeship is built around immersion, with candidates spending roughly 895 hours in Philadelphia classrooms across four terms, learning the work by doing it. The elementary track's fourteen course units ground that fieldwork in subjects such as literacy, mathematics, and the development of the young child. When they finish, graduates receive a faculty recommendation for Pennsylvania Instructional I certification for grades PreK-4, awarded through the state's department of education. It is a demanding, hands-on route designed for people committed to teaching in urban schools. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Pennsylvania'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 14 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,570, roughly $76,613 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.
- 6
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
39score- 31Master's/yr
- $78,570Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Elementary/Middle School Education (4-8)
- Hybrid
About the programSaint Joseph's University's Master of Science in Elementary/Middle School Education is an initial-licensure degree, not an add-on for practicing teachers, and it leads to Pennsylvania Level I instructional certification for grades 4 through 8. The core runs 30 to 33 credits, with a 36-credit option that extends certification to teach all subjects in grades 4 through 6 plus one or two disciplines in grades 7 and 8. Coursework builds both content knowledge and instructional skill, and candidates put it to work through in-person field experiences and student teaching. Evening classes can be taken on campus, online, or in combination, at a manageable pace of one to three courses a term. Together the pieces make a flexible path toward the middle-grades classroom. It awards more master's-level elementary education degrees than any of Pennsylvania's 9 ranked master's-level programs, 31 in the most recent year. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania.
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 31 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,570, roughly $76,613 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
Temple University
37score- $40,885In-state tuition
- $56,166Out-of-state tuition
- 7Master's/yr
- $78,570Metro teacher pay
- Early and Elementary Education MEd
- On-campus
About the programThis 37 credit MEd leads to initial Pennsylvania certification. Coursework covers 15 credits of early and elementary instruction, 9 credits of special education and English language learner instruction, and a 7 credit culminating sequence including 4 credits of supervised teaching. Candidates also complete classroom fieldwork about one day per week each term. Evening classes meet on Main Campus starting at 5:30 p.m., with full-time or part-time completion up to four years. Graduates who pass required licensure exams may apply for the Instructional I certificate covering PreK to grade 4. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania.
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 7 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,570, roughly $76,613 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.
- 8
Neumann University
23score- $27,900Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 3Master's/yr
- $78,570Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Education, Dual Certification in Early Elementary (PK-4) and Special Education (PK-12)
- Online
About the programNeumann University aims its 45-credit online Master of Science in Education squarely at career changers, giving those who already hold a bachelor's degree a path into Pennsylvania teaching. Its real draw is dual certification, pairing Early Elementary (grades PK-4) with Special Education (PK-12) so graduates leave qualified to teach across both settings. The fully online coursework moves through child development, the core content methods in literacy, math, science, and social studies, and the practical work of assessment, IEPs, and inclusion. Classroom preparation is hands-on: a six-credit student teaching component of practicum and seminar sits alongside a clinical field experience sequence in both PK-4 and special education placements, and candidates must pass state certification tests. Completion is expected within five years, keeping the program flexible for adults building toward a new profession. Earning a master's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Pennsylvania'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 3 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,570, roughly $76,613 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
University of Valley Forge
21score- $22,230Est. tuition (excl. fees)
- 5Master's/yr
- $78,570Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education with Pennsylvania Pre-K-4 Teaching Certification
- Online
About the programThis online Master of Education with Pennsylvania Pre-K-4 Teaching Certification is a 39-credit initial-licensure program, 33 credits of coursework plus 6 credits of student teaching. Successful completion and passing the state-required competency tests qualifies graduates to teach all subjects in grades Pre-K through 4 in Pennsylvania public schools. Students may add a PA Special Education Pre-K-12 certificate to the initial Early Childhood Pre-K-4 certificate with additional credits. Pre-K-4 is Pennsylvania's elementary certification band. Tuition is $570 per credit for 2025-2026, with a per-semester technology fee and a graduation fee on top. This master's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania.
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 5 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,570, roughly $76,613 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 Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania has 9 accredited master's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
- Kutztown University of Pennsylvania ranks first among elementary education master's programs in Pennsylvania with a score of 67, on a 54 percent graduation rate.
- University of Valley Forge is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Pennsylvania, at $22,230 a year in-state tuition.
- University of Pennsylvania posts the highest graduation rate among elementary education programs in Pennsylvania, at 97 percent.
- Elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $77,060 a year (BLS), ranking Pennsylvania 13 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
- 3 of the master's in elementary education programs in Pennsylvania offer an online or hybrid option.
- Pennsylvania requires the Praxis licensure exam, administered through Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality, to earn a teaching license.
What a master's in elementary education costs in Pennsylvania (2026)
Published in-state tuition for a master's in elementary education in Pennsylvania runs from $22,230 to $115,920 a year across the 9 programs we rank, with a median of $27,900. The most affordable is University of Valley Forge at $22,230 a year. These are published sticker rates from IPEDS; most future teachers bring the net figure down with the Pell Grant, the federal TEACH Grant, and state teacher-preparation aid, so weigh net price, not the sticker.
Cost only means something next to completion. The elementary education programs ranked here average a 68 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 Pennsylvania
Elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $77,060 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks Pennsylvania 13 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 Pennsylvania is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.
How to get a Pennsylvania teaching license
To teach in Pennsylvania you need a master's in elementary education (or a bachelor's plus an approved preparation program), a supervised student-teaching placement, and a Pennsylvania teaching license issued by Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality. Pennsylvania calls the initial credential the Instructional I Certificate, and earning it means passing Praxis (The Praxis Series) plus a background check.
Pennsylvania also accepts the Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT), administered by Pearson, for some certificate areas. Confirm your program is currently state-approved before you enroll.
Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Pennsylvania
Pick a master's in elementary education in Pennsylvania that is regionally accredited and whose educator-preparation program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, ideally with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation. State approval is what lets the degree count toward a Pennsylvania teaching license, and CAEP is the national standard for program quality, so confirm both before enrolling in any elementary education program in Pennsylvania.
Sources: CAEP accreditation
Online and hybrid elementary education programs in Pennsylvania
3 of the master's in elementary education programs in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
How many master's in elementary education programs are in Pennsylvania?
There are 9 accredited master's in elementary education programs in Pennsylvania in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.
What is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Pennsylvania?
University of Valley Forge is the most affordable master's in elementary education in Pennsylvania, at $22,230 a year in in-state tuition.
How much do elementary school teachers make in Pennsylvania?
Elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $77,060 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires the Praxis (The Praxis Series) licensure exam, administered for Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality. See the <a href="https://www.ets.org/praxis" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">official exam page</a> for current test requirements.
Is a master's in elementary education worth it in Pennsylvania?
For most future teachers, yes. A master's in elementary education in Pennsylvania is the standard credential for a Pennsylvania teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $77,060 a year in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 9 master's in elementary education in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.