Best Bachelor's in Mathematics Teacher Education Programs in 2026

The top 25 out of 247 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database, ranked on graduation rate, affordability, and more. CIP 13.1311.

Mathematics teacher education prepares you to teach math to middle and high school students, covering everything from algebra and geometry to precalculus and statistics. Programs blend advanced math coursework with training in how to explain abstract concepts, diagnose misconceptions, and keep a range of learners engaged. Most lead to an initial secondary teaching license in mathematics. The ranking below compares accredited bachelor's programs on cost, graduation rates, and outcomes.

A mathematics teacher working through an equation on the whiteboard with students
247Programs analyzed
$18,120Median in-state tuition
57%Median graduation rate
$72,040Median wage, secondary school teachers
  • In-state tuition typically runs from $4,752 to $51,438 a year, with a median near $18,120.
  • 108 of 247 ranked programs sit at public universities, and 20 offer an online or hybrid option.
  • Most lead to an initial state teaching license, which means supervised student teaching plus a licensure exam (37 of 52 US jurisdictions use the Praxis series).
  • We rank on graduation rate first, then selectivity and affordability, all from federal IPEDS data.
  1. 1

    North Carolina State University at Raleigh

    Raleigh, NCPublicOnline available

    94score
    • 85%Grad rate
    • $6,535/yrIn-state tuition
    • $30,583/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 42%Admit rate
    • 28,422Undergrads
    • 13Grads/yr
    • 1385SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education (Mathematics Specialization)
    About the program

    This 120-credit Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education, Mathematics Specialization, at NC State's Department of STEM Education leads to an initial North Carolina teaching license in mathematics for grades 9-12. Students build a deep understanding of secondary mathematics content alongside pedagogy, including teaching mathematics with technology, and complete field experiences in mathematics classrooms. The program culminates in 10 credit hours of student teaching (EMS 471) in the spring of the senior year. A bachelor's-level path in mathematics teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in North Carolina.

    Why it ranks here

    Where it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 85% of students graduate, top 3% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 42% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $6,535 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.

    Program page
  2. 2

    University of South Florida

    Tampa, FLPublic

    93score
    • 77%Grad rate
    • $4,559/yrIn-state tuition
    • $15,473/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 43%Admit rate
    • 38,525Undergrads
    • 9Grads/yr
    • 1225SAT mid
    • Mathematics Education, B.S.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    USF's Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education, based in the College of Education on the Tampa campus, prepares teachers for the middle and high school years and lets candidates aim at either grades 6-12 or a middle school concentration for grades 5-9. Whichever track they choose, students blend mathematics content with teaching methods and a heavy dose of time in real classrooms. The middle school concentration is especially immersive, folding in more than 1,200 hours of clinical experience, two semester-long practica, and a yearlong internship. That extended practice readies candidates for the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations and state certification. USF notes that its College of Education is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. A bachelor's-level path in mathematics teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Florida.

    Why it ranks here

    The ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. Its strongest card is completion: a 77% graduation rate lands it in the top 9% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 43% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $4,559 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.

    Program page
  3. 3

    University of Georgia

    Athens, GAPublic

    92score
    • 90%Grad rate
    • $10,034/yrIn-state tuition
    • $30,272/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 38%Admit rate
    • 32,399Undergrads
    • 6Grads/yr
    • 1375SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Education in Mathematics Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    The University of Georgia's Bachelor of Science in Education in Mathematics Education leads to initial Georgia certification to teach math in grades 6-12. Offered through the Mary Frances Early College of Education, it interlaces mathematics content with education coursework and, notably, gives candidates field experience every semester that grows in responsibility, starting with one-on-one work, expanding to small groups, and building toward full classroom teaching before a final student teaching placement. That gradual on-ramp means students are never thrown into a classroom unprepared. The program is selective and cohort-paced, admitting up to 25 students each fall for a spring start, and is delivered on campus with in-school placements. Prospective applicants can review state licensure details through the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal. A bachelor's-level path in mathematics teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Georgia.

    Why it ranks here

    Where it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 90% of students graduate, top 1% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 38% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $10,034 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.

    Program page
  4. 4

    Clemson University

    Clemson, SCPublic

    90score
    • 87%Grad rate
    • $14,038/yrIn-state tuition
    • $39,350/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 38%Admit rate
    • 23,401Undergrads
    • 6Grads/yr
    • 1325SAT mid
    • Mathematics Teaching, B.S.
    • CAEP-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Clemson's Mathematics Teaching, B.S. is an initial teacher preparation program leading to South Carolina secondary mathematics certification (grades 9-12). Candidates complete graduated clinical experiences across all four years, beginning with tutoring in the freshman year, progressing through early field observations in the sophomore and junior years, and concluding with a culminating spring student teaching semester assessed against South Carolina Teaching Standards, with a minimum of seven formal evaluations. The program is reviewed by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). It is delivered on campus. Earning a bachelor's degree in mathematics teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of South Carolina's secondary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    The ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. Its strongest card is completion: a 87% graduation rate lands it in the top 1% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 38% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $14,038 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.

    Program page
  5. 5

    University of California-San Diego

    La Jolla, CAPublic

    90score
    • 86%Grad rate
    • $12,260/yrIn-state tuition
    • $44,148/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 27%Admit rate
    • 34,955Undergrads
    • 7Grads/yr
    • Mathematics-Secondary Education B.A.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Offered by the Department of Mathematics, UC San Diego's Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a Secondary Education focus gives future teachers a genuinely deep grounding in the subject they hope to lead. The coursework travels widely across the discipline, from number theory and the history of mathematics to statistics and probability, geometry, abstract algebra, and real analysis, capped by a set of upper-division mathematics courses. The department is candid that this is only partial preparation for teaching at the secondary level, grades seven through twelve, and that the degree does not on its own grant a California credential. Students who want to reach the classroom are pointed toward the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the campus Department of Education Studies for the credential itself. Taught on campus in La Jolla, it emphasizes mathematical command as the foundation everything else builds on. This bachelor's-level mathematics teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in California.

    Why it ranks here

    Three things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. Start with the outcome that matters most, 86% of students graduate, top 2% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. It is genuinely selective too, admitting just 27% of applicants, a sign of a competitive, well-prepared cohort. Cost only helps its case: at $12,260 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.

    Program page
  6. 6

    University of Washington-Seattle Campus

    Seattle, WAPublic

    90score
    • 85%Grad rate
    • $11,869/yrIn-state tuition
    • $42,105/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 39%Admit rate
    • 40,684Undergrads
    • 8Grads/yr
    • Mathematics major with secondary mathematics teaching endorsement preparation (no standalone undergraduate teacher-certification degree)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    At the University of Washington-Seattle, secondary mathematics teaching is a two-stage path rather than a single undergraduate degree, since certification runs only through the College of Education's Master's in Teaching. Undergraduates lay the groundwork by majoring in mathematics and completing at least 50 quarter credits in subjects such as calculus, linear algebra, geometry, and statistics, which satisfy the prerequisites for the secondary mathematics teaching endorsement covering grades 4-12. With that coursework behind them, students then apply to the post-baccalaureate MIT program, where the actual licensing happens. The bachelor's stage is best understood as focused preparation, building the subject depth a future math teacher needs before entering a certification program. All of this coursework is completed on campus in Seattle. A bachelor's-level path in mathematics teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Washington.

    Why it ranks here

    We rank on the things that actually shape a teaching degree: whether students finish, how hard it is to get in, and the price of admission. Its strongest card is completion: a 85% graduation rate lands it in the top 3% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 39% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $11,869 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.

    Program page
  7. 7

    Auburn University

    Auburn, ALPublic

    89score
    • 82%Grad rate
    • $11,016/yrIn-state tuition
    • $33,048/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 46%Admit rate
    • 27,907Undergrads
    • 7Grads/yr
    • 1325SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Auburn University's Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education pairs a strong mathematics content core with a clear focus on how to teach the subject to grades 6 through 12, so candidates graduate confident in both the discipline and the classroom. Pedagogy courses such as Teaching Mathematics: High School and Technology and Applications in Secondary Mathematics Education show that dual emphasis in practice. Spanning 120 credits, the program builds toward an 11-credit Clinical Residency in the senior year, a placement students apply for a full year in advance and where their preparation is finally tested with real students. Candidates must also meet Alabama State Department of Education GPA requirements. Delivered on campus at Auburn, the degree sits within a College of Education accredited by CAEP for its initial certification programs. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Three things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. Start with the outcome that matters most, 82% of students graduate, top 4% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 46% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $11,016 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.

    Program page
  8. 8

    Brigham Young University

    Provo, UTPrivate nonprofit

    86score
    • 81%Grad rate
    • $6,688/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 68%Admit rate
    • 32,952Undergrads
    • 29Grads/yr
    • 1365SAT mid
    • Mathematics Education (BS)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Brigham Young University's Mathematics Education (BS) prepares candidates to teach mathematics at the middle and high school levels. Students begin as pre-majors before formally applying to the program, take mathematics content and methods coursework, and complete a student teaching placement or academic internship in mathematics. The major meets Utah's educational requirements for a secondary teaching license covering grades seven through twelve. It is delivered on campus in Provo. This bachelor's-level mathematics teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Utah.

    Why it ranks here

    We rank on the things that actually shape a teaching degree: whether students finish, how hard it is to get in, and the price of admission. Its strongest card is completion: a 81% graduation rate lands it in the top 5% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 68% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $6,688 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.

    Program page
  9. 9

    University of Connecticut

    Storrs, CTPublic

    85score
    • 83%Grad rate
    • $17,010/yrIn-state tuition
    • $39,678/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 52%Admit rate
    • 20,056Undergrads
    • 13Grads/yr
    • 1325SAT mid
    • Mathematics Education (Grades 4-12) (IB/M), Bachelor of Science in Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Mathematics Education at the University of Connecticut is built as a five-year Integrated Bachelor's/Master's program through the Neag School of Education, awarding a Bachelor of Science in education and then a Master of Arts to students preparing to teach grades 4-12. Undergraduates apply during their sophomore year and step into the upper-division program as juniors. The academic load is genuinely dual, asking for a minimum of about 43 credits in mathematics alongside roughly 45 credits of professional education that include directed student teaching and clinic seminars. That combination prepares graduates for Connecticut certification in secondary mathematics. The Neag School holds CAEP accreditation, and all instruction takes place on the Storrs campus. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Three things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. Start with the outcome that matters most, 83% of students graduate, top 4% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 52% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $17,010 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.

    Program page
  10. 10

    University of North Florida

    Jacksonville, FLPublic

    84score
    • 69%Grad rate
    • $3,996/yrIn-state tuition
    • $16,799/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 53%Admit rate
    • 13,735Undergrads
    • 1Grads/yr
    • 1170SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Arts in Education in Math Education, Grades 6-12
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Aspiring mathematics teachers will find a content-rich path in UNF's Bachelor of Arts in Education in Math Education for grades 6-12. Beyond its education courses, the 120-credit degree asks candidates to work through substantial college mathematics, in subjects such as linear algebra, number theory, and probability and statistics, so they teach from genuine command of the material. Fieldwork is woven in early, with two courses carrying mandatory 30-hour placements, before a nine-credit student internship completes the program. Candidates must pass every section of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination to earn certification in mathematics. The Silverfield College of Education and Human Services holds CAEP accreditation for its educator preparation programs. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Where it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 69% of students graduate, top 22% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 53% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $3,996 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.

    Program page
  11. 11

    State University of New York at New Paltz

    New Paltz, NYPublic

    82score
    • 72%Grad rate
    • $7,070/yrIn-state tuition
    • $17,320/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 62%Admit rate
    • 6,862Undergrads
    • 2Grads/yr
    • 1255SAT mid
    • B.S. or B.A. in Adolescence Education: Mathematics (7-12)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    SUNY New Paltz offers a B.S. or B.A. in Adolescence Education with a Mathematics concentration, leading to New York State initial teaching certification for grades 7-12. Candidates complete at least 30 credits of content mathematics plus cognates alongside core education coursework and the college's general education requirements. The program builds a progressive field sequence: three fieldwork placements paired with methods coursework, followed by two full student-teaching placements covering grades 7-9 and 10-12 (six credits each) plus a seminar. Instruction is on-campus, with field placements up to 45 miles away. As a bachelor's degree in mathematics teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in New York.

    Why it ranks here

    We rank on the things that actually shape a teaching degree: whether students finish, how hard it is to get in, and the price of admission. Its strongest card is completion: a 72% graduation rate lands it in the top 16% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 62% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $7,070 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.

    Program page
  12. 12

    Boston College

    Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate nonprofit

    80score
    • 91%Grad rate
    • $69,400/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 16%Admit rate
    • 10,314Undergrads
    • 1Grads/yr
    • 1490SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education (Mathematics)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Boston College's Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education is designed for students who want to teach mathematics at the high school level, pairing education study in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development with a full second major in mathematics. This dual structure ensures candidates know their subject deeply while learning how to teach it, a balance well suited to the grades 8-12 STEM classroom. The education side runs about 27 core credits and builds practice through a two-part pre-practicum sequence, each a day a week for ten weeks, before a full semester-long, five-day-a-week practicum. That progression lets candidates move from observation to sustained teaching under close supervision. Completing this Massachusetts-approved preparation program earns the college's endorsement for initial state licensure to teach mathematics and other STEM subjects in grades 8 through 12. As a bachelor's degree in mathematics teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Massachusetts.

    Why it ranks here

    Its place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. Start with the outcome that matters most, 91% of students graduate, top 1% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. It is genuinely selective too, admitting just 16% of applicants, a sign of a competitive, well-prepared cohort. The one drag is price, $69,400 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.

    Program page
  13. 13

    Boston University

    Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit

    80score
    • 89%Grad rate
    • $66,670/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 11%Admit rate
    • 18,805Undergrads
    • 1Grads/yr
    • 1475SAT mid
    • BS in Mathematics Education
    About the program

    Built for undergraduates who want to teach mathematics and study it in depth at the same time, Boston University's BS in Mathematics Education pairs the education degree with a companion BA in Mathematics, so future teachers ground their classroom work in real subject mastery. The route, run through the Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, leads to an initial Massachusetts license in mathematics for grades 5 to 12, with reciprocity extending into partner states. A required student teaching practicum, offered on either a 5-8 or 8-12 track, places candidates in area schools before graduation, and completion lets BU recommend them to the state for licensure. As of fall 2022, Wheelock no longer admits undergraduates to this program, directing new students instead toward the BS in Education and Human Development and licensure at the master's level. As a bachelor's degree in mathematics teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Massachusetts.

    Why it ranks here

    Its rank is built from three numbers: graduation rate, admission rate, and in-state tuition, in that order of weight. Its strongest card is completion: a 89% graduation rate lands it in the top 1% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Admissions are competitive, a 11% acceptance rate, which nudges it further up. The one drag is price, $66,670 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.

    Program page
  14. 14

    University of Delaware

    Newark, DEPublic

    78score
    • 81%Grad rate
    • $14,600/yrIn-state tuition
    • $39,190/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 71%Admit rate
    • 20,026Undergrads
    • 4Grads/yr
    • 1280SAT mid
    • Mathematics Education (Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts)
    About the program

    The University of Delaware offers both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Mathematics Education, preparing candidates to teach grades 7 through 12. The B.S. emphasizes deeper study of mathematics, while the B.A. favors liberal-arts breadth. The program culminates in a full student teaching placement at a local middle or high school under a supervising teacher, paired with a student teaching seminar. Graduates earn an institutional recommendation for Delaware teacher certification. As a bachelor's degree in mathematics teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Delaware.

    Why it ranks here

    Three things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. Start with the outcome that matters most, 81% of students graduate, top 5% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 71% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $14,600 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.

    Program page
  15. 15

    University of Vermont

    Burlington, VTPublic

    78score
    • 79%Grad rate
    • $16,280/yrIn-state tuition
    • $42,724/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 65%Admit rate
    • 12,276Undergrads
    • 3Grads/yr
    • 1365SAT mid
    • Secondary Education (Grades 7-12) B.S.Ed., Mathematics concentration
    • On-campus
    About the program

    For students who want to bring mathematics to middle and high school classrooms, UVM offers a Secondary Education B.S.Ed. with a mathematics concentration leading to Vermont initial licensure for grades 7-12. The degree asks for at least 120 credits, anchored by a substantial 32-credit mathematics concentration that ranges from calculus and linear algebra through abstract algebra, combinatorics, statistics, and even the history of mathematics, so candidates know the subject far beyond what they will teach. The professional coursework arrives in phases and builds toward a full-semester, 12-credit student teaching internship, with every initial licensure program requiring at least 60 practicum hours before a placement of no fewer than 13 weeks. That sequencing ensures graduates enter the classroom with real time already logged. Delivered on campus, the program is a good match for math-minded students who want deep content mastery alongside supervised teaching experience. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    The ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. Its strongest card is completion: a 79% graduation rate lands it in the top 8% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 65% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $16,280 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.

    Program page
  16. 16

    University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

    Norman, OKPublic

    78score
    • 75%Grad rate
    • $5,220/yrIn-state tuition
    • $22,800/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 77%Admit rate
    • 23,329Undergrads
    • 6Grads/yr
    • 1235SAT mid
    • Mathematics Education, B.S.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Built for students who want to bring mathematics to teenagers, the University of Oklahoma's Mathematics Education, B.S. weaves rigorous math coursework together with professional education courses in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education. The 120-credit plan, including at least 40 upper-division hours, keeps candidates connected to real classrooms throughout, with field experiences embedded in earlier courses before the program builds toward a 10-credit student teaching placement. That capstone, Teaching Experiences in the Secondary School, pairs with a Student Teaching Seminar in the final semester so candidates can reflect on the work as they do it. Graduates round out full certification by passing the Certification Examinations for Oklahoma Educators and applying for a license. Delivered on campus at Norman, the program also notes some options in Tulsa. This bachelor's-level mathematics teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Oklahoma.

    Why it ranks here

    Where it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 75% of students graduate, top 11% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 77% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $5,220 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.

    Program page
  17. 17

    SUNY College at Geneseo

    Geneseo, NYPublic

    78score
    • 71%Grad rate
    • $7,070/yrIn-state tuition
    • $17,640/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 66%Admit rate
    • 3,881Undergrads
    • 15Grads/yr
    • 1265SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with Adolescence Education certification
    • On-campus
    About the program

    This on-campus program pairs a Bachelor of Arts mathematics major with professional education coursework leading to New York State initial certification in Adolescence Education, grades 7-12. The certification sequence is organized into four blocks of coursework supervised in part by mathematics faculty. Candidates accumulate field experience across the blocks (roughly 100 hours, including a practicum) before a 12-credit senior student teaching placement. Mathematics-specific requirements include minimum grades in designated upper-division math courses, and initial-certification candidates must satisfy the College foreign language requirement. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Its rank is built from three numbers: graduation rate, admission rate, and in-state tuition, in that order of weight. Its strongest card is completion: a 71% graduation rate lands it in the top 18% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 66% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $7,070 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.

    Program page
  18. 18

    Providence College

    Providence, RIPrivate nonprofit

    76score
    • 86%Grad rate
    • $62,520/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 51%Admit rate
    • 4,236Undergrads
    • 2Grads/yr
    • 1320SAT mid
    • Mathematics/Secondary Education (B.A.)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Providence College's Mathematics/Secondary Education major awards a Bachelor of Arts. Students complete the full mathematics major coursework plus additional courses from the education department, combining general education, subject specialization, and professional study in education. Candidates apply formally to the teacher preparation program during sophomore or junior year, progress through four sequential field experiences, and complete a full year of student teaching with a master teacher at a high school during the senior year. The program is approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education and leads to initial secondary teaching certification for high school mathematics classrooms. This bachelor's-level mathematics teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Rhode Island.

    Why it ranks here

    Where it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 86% of students graduate, top 2% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 51% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $62,520 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.

    Program page
  19. 19

    Grove City College

    Grove City, PAPrivate nonprofit

    76score
    • 83%Grad rate
    • $21,700/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 72%Admit rate
    • 2,341Undergrads
    • 3Grads/yr
    • 1265SAT mid
    • B.S. in Mathematics with Secondary Education Certification
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Grove City College's Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with Secondary Education Certification is a full mathematics major rather than a lighter teaching track, with roughly 89 to 91 major credit hours that keep candidates grounded in their subject. Around that mathematical core, students build the practical side of teaching through coursework in classroom management, pedagogy, assessment, and inclusive instruction, so they learn both the content and how to reach the students in front of them. Early field experience gives them real classroom time before they step into a full semester of student teaching in the fall or spring of senior year. The program leads to secondary certification for middle and high school mathematics and supports candidates through the certification and licensure process. Instruction is delivered on campus. As a bachelor's degree in mathematics teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Pennsylvania.

    Why it ranks here

    The ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. Its strongest card is completion: a 83% graduation rate lands it in the top 4% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 72% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $21,700 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.

    Program page
  20. 20

    Miami University-Oxford

    Oxford, OHPublic

    74score
    • 80%Grad rate
    • $14,420/yrIn-state tuition
    • $35,866/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 75%Admit rate
    • 16,816Undergrads
    • 13Grads/yr
    • 1305SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Education, Integrated Mathematics Education
    About the program

    Miami University's Integrated Mathematics Education major leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education and prepares graduates to teach mathematics in grades 7-12 under Ohio Department of Education approval. It braids together several strands of study, pairing the Miami Plan liberal education with mathematics content and coursework in teaching, curriculum, educational inquiry, and educational psychology, for a total of 82 to 86 credit hours. Classroom experience grows through observation and participation in both urban and suburban or rural settings, so candidates see how mathematics teaching plays out across different schools. That practical arc culminates in a 15-week full-time student teaching placement alongside mentor teachers in high schools or middle schools. Finishing the program and earning the baccalaureate makes graduates eligible for Ohio licensure in mathematics. A bachelor's-level path in mathematics teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Ohio.

    Why it ranks here

    Its rank is built from three numbers: graduation rate, admission rate, and in-state tuition, in that order of weight. Its strongest card is completion: a 80% graduation rate lands it in the top 7% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 75% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $14,420 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.

    Program page
  21. 21

    Baylor University

    Waco, TXPrivate nonprofit

    74score
    • 80%Grad rate
    • $58,100/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 51%Admit rate
    • 14,915Undergrads
    • 5Grads/yr
    • 1300SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd) in Middle/Secondary Education, Mathematics
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Baylor's Moody School of Education offers a Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd) in Middle/Secondary Education with a mathematics teaching field, completed in four years. The program offers certification in Mathematics for Middle Grades (4-8) and Mathematics for Secondary Grades (7-12). Field experiences begin the first semester and build across seven semesters, culminating in a yearlong teaching internship with full-time teaching in the senior year. Texas requires candidates seeking 7-12 mathematics certification to complete 15 semester hours in the teaching field before formal admission to the teacher preparation program at the end of the sophomore year. Delivered on campus. Earning a bachelor's degree in mathematics teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Texas's secondary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    Its place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. Start with the outcome that matters most, 80% of students graduate, top 7% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 51% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $58,100 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.

    Program page
  22. 22

    College of the Ozarks

    Point Lookout, MOPrivate nonprofit

    72score
    • 64%Grad rate
    • $21,800/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 12%Admit rate
    • 1,454Undergrads
    • 1Grads/yr
    • 1135SAT mid
    • Mathematics/Secondary Education, B.S.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    For students who love mathematics and want to bring it to teenagers, the Mathematics/Secondary Education, B.S. at College of the Ozarks offers a focused route into the secondary classroom. The program joins college-level mathematics study with the professional preparation candidates need to teach, coordinating that teaching coursework through the college's Education Office. Before finishing, every candidate completes a student teaching placement that puts theory into daily practice with real students. The Education Office then manages the certification paperwork with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, recommending graduates for certification once they meet state requirements. Delivered on campus in Point Lookout, it leads to Missouri teacher certification at the secondary level. Graduates of this mathematics teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as secondary school teachers.

    Why it ranks here

    The ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. Its strongest card is completion: a 64% graduation rate lands it in the top 33% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Admissions are competitive, a 12% acceptance rate, which nudges it further up. The one drag is price, $21,800 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.

    Program page
  23. 23

    West Chester University of Pennsylvania

    West Chester, PAPublic

    70score
    • 71%Grad rate
    • $7,716/yrIn-state tuition
    • $19,290/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 78%Admit rate
    • 14,449Undergrads
    • 9Grads/yr
    • 1185SAT mid
    • B.S.Ed. in Mathematics
    • On-campus
    About the program

    West Chester University's B.S.Ed. in Mathematics is a minimum 127-credit program preparing candidates to teach the grades 7-12 mathematics curriculum. Students must apply for and achieve Teacher Candidacy before enrolling in specialized methods courses. Field experiences begin in the second year, and the third year is a year-long clinical placement, two days a week in a middle school in fall and a high school in spring. The program culminates in two sequential student teaching courses totaling 12 credits in the final semester. Upon completing the approved program and PDE requirements, graduates qualify for a Grades 7-12 Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate. Delivery is on-campus. As a bachelor's degree in mathematics teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Pennsylvania.

    Why it ranks here

    Where it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 71% of students graduate, top 18% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 78% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $7,716 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.

    Program page
  24. 24

    Cedarville University

    Cedarville, OHPrivate nonprofit

    69score
    • 73%Grad rate
    • $36,950/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 65%Admit rate
    • 5,790Undergrads
    • 1Grads/yr
    • 1245SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics Education
    • CAEP-accredited
    • On-campus
    About the program

    This Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics Education prepares candidates to teach mathematics in grades 7 to 12 as an Adolescent to Young Adult licensure program, combining mathematics coursework with professional education preparation. Candidates complete 600 or more hours of classroom field experiences across four years, culminating in an approximately 16 week student teaching internship in local public or Christian schools or an approved overseas placement. Graduates take the Ohio Assessments for Educators exams and are eligible for an Ohio teaching license. The program is delivered on the residential campus. The School of Education holds CAEP accreditation covering its initial licensure programs. A bachelor's-level path in mathematics teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Ohio.

    Why it ranks here

    We rank on the things that actually shape a teaching degree: whether students finish, how hard it is to get in, and the price of admission. Its strongest card is completion: a 73% graduation rate lands it in the top 14% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 65% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $36,950 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.

    Program page
  25. 25

    Mercer University

    Macon, GAPrivate nonprofit

    68score
    • 70%Grad rate
    • $31,265/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 69%Admit rate
    • 4,690Undergrads
    • 2Grads/yr
    • 1255SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) in Secondary Education, Mathematics certification area
    • On-campus
    About the program

    At Mercer University, students who love mathematics and want to teach it can pursue the Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education with mathematics as their certification area, one of several content options that also include the sciences, English, and history. Offered through the Tift College of Education as a daytime, residential program on the Macon campus, it prepares candidates to teach grades 6 through 12 and sends them into a range of school and community settings for field placements. The emphasis is on learning to teach in real classrooms, not just mastering the subject. Candidates who finish the degree and pass the GaPSC-approved Content Pedagogy and GACE Content assessments become eligible for Georgia Level 4 induction certification. Instruction takes place on campus throughout. This bachelor's-level mathematics teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Georgia.

    Why it ranks here

    Three things decide where a program lands on this list: how many students finish, how selective it is, and what it costs. Start with the outcome that matters most, 70% of students graduate, top 19% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 69% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $31,265 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.

    Program page
How we rank

Each program is scored 0 to 100 against the other programs in its specialty: graduation rate (50%), selectivity by admission rate (30%), and affordability by in-state tuition (20%). Scores are percentile-based within the specialty, so they compare like with like. A program missing a field gets the neutral median for it, so it is neither rewarded nor punished. Earnings are intentionally excluded: federal per-school earnings are not yet published for education programs, and the field-level salary figure is identical for every school, so ranking on it would be meaningless. To keep the overall list from being dominated by a single state's public-university system, it shows at most 2 programs per state; the value, affordability, graduation-rate, and selectivity pages rank every program without that limit.

  • Graduation rate: 50%
  • Selectivity (admission rate): 30%
  • Affordability (in-state tuition): 20%

What careers can you get with a bachelor's in Mathematics Teacher Education?

Graduates most often go on to work as secondary school teachers. Nationally, the median wage for that occupation is $72,040, with most earning between $48,780 and $107,600, and roughly 1,065,210 people employed across the United States, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Teachers of this subject are reported within this grade-level occupation; the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a separate wage series for it.

Read the full guide on how to become a secondary school teacher, or see secondary school teachers pay by state →

$72,040Median annual wage
$48,780 to $107,60010th to 90th percentile
1,065,210Employed nationally

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 25-2031), and BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are national and not school-specific.

Secondary School Teachers Salary by State in 2026

Median annual wage for secondary school teachers, by state. Highest is Washington at $102,670, lowest is Oklahoma at $48,710.

StateMedian wage
Washington$102,670
California$101,370
New York$97,070
Massachusetts$95,260
Rhode Island$92,610
District of Columbia$82,750
New Jersey$82,200
Connecticut$80,970
Illinois$79,990
Alaska$79,650
Oregon$79,570
Ohio$78,800
Pennsylvania$78,800
Maryland$78,670
Delaware$77,960
New Hampshire$77,060
Minnesota$76,460
Utah$76,330
Vermont$76,220
New Mexico$75,900
Georgia$75,480
Hawaii$74,310
Colorado$72,900
Virginia$72,170
Michigan$66,030
Nevada$65,520
Maine$64,880
Texas$63,590
Nebraska$63,450
Wisconsin$62,870
Guam$62,860
Wyoming$62,690
South Carolina$62,580
Alabama$61,990
Indiana$61,880
Tennessee$61,860
Idaho$61,690
Kentucky$61,560
North Dakota$61,210
Iowa$61,200
Montana$60,990
Florida$60,410
Kansas$59,920
Louisiana$59,850
Arkansas$59,660
Virgin Islands$59,520
Missouri$59,240
Puerto Rico$59,100
Arizona$58,360
North Carolina$57,650
West Virginia$56,610
South Dakota$51,050
Mississippi$50,980
Oklahoma$48,710

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

How much a bachelor's in Mathematics Teacher Education program costs

Published in-state tuition across the 247 ranked bachelor's programs typically runs from $4,752 to $51,438 a year, with a median near $18,120. Most of that spread is public versus private: public universities charge state residents the least, while private colleges set a single sticker price that applies to everyone. 108 of the 247 programs here are public, which is usually where the lowest in-state numbers come from.

Sticker price is rarely what a student pays. Grants and scholarships lower the net cost, and future teachers have aid written specifically for them: the federal TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 a year to students who agree to teach a high-need subject in a low-income school, and many states add service scholarships and loan-forgiveness programs for people who commit to the classroom. Two costs to watch are out-of-state tuition, which at public schools often runs two to three times the resident rate, and mandatory fees and living expenses, which the tuition figure leaves out entirely.

What none of this changes is the paycheck at the end. The median wage for secondary school teachers is $72,040 regardless of where the degree was earned, so two graduates can reach the same salary having paid very different tuition to get there. That is exactly why affordability, essentially graduation rate per tuition dollar, is one of the factors we weight rather than an afterthought.

Sources: tuition and program data from IPEDS; the TEACH Grant from Federal Student Aid; wages from BLS OEWS.

How to get licensed to teach with a bachelor's in Mathematics Teacher Education

A bachelor's in Mathematics Teacher Education program prepares you academically, but teaching in a public school also requires a license issued by the state where you work. Every state runs its own credential, yet the path rhymes almost everywhere. You complete a state-approved preparation program, log supervised field experience that builds to a full term of student teaching, and pass one or more licensure exams, then apply to the state with a background check and, in most places, complete a mentored first year before the license becomes fully clear and renewable.

The exams are where states differ most. 37 of the 52 US jurisdictions use ETS's Praxis series to test basic skills and subject knowledge; the rest run their own, such as California's CBEST and CSET or New York's NYSTCE. A growing number also require a performance assessment like edTPA, in which candidates submit video and written evidence from their own student teaching. The grade-band and subject endorsements on your license, elementary versus a specific secondary subject, are set by the tests you pass and the program you complete.

Because the specifics are decided state by state, where you plan to teach matters as much as where you study. Licenses do not transfer automatically, though most states honor an out-of-state credential through interstate reciprocity, usually with some added coursework or testing. Check your target state's department of education for its exact requirements before you enroll.

Sources: licensure requirements from each state's department of education; the Praxis series from ETS; edTPA; programmatic standards from CAEP.

How does accreditation work in 2026 for a bachelor's in Mathematics Teacher Education?

Two different things get called accreditation, and only one of them gets you licensed. Institutional accreditation comes first: a regional accreditor such as SACSCOC, the Higher Learning Commission, or the Middle States Commission reviews the whole university, and it is what lets credits transfer and federal financial aid flow. Any college worth considering has it, but on its own it says nothing specific about the quality of the education program.

Program, or programmatic, accreditation is the education-specific layer. The national accreditor is CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, formed in 2013 when the two older bodies, NCATE and TEAC, merged; AAQEP is a newer alternative that a growing number of programs have adopted. A CAEP or AAQEP seal signals that the preparation program has been reviewed against national standards for clinical practice, content knowledge, and candidate outcomes.

The credential that actually licenses you, though, is state program approval. A state only allows its approved programs to recommend graduates for certification, so approval, not a national seal, is what turns your degree into a license, and it is also what makes interstate reciprocity possible. Plenty of strong programs carry state approval without a separate national accreditor, which is common and not a red flag. When you compare options, confirm two things: that the school is regionally accredited, and that the specific program is approved by the state where you intend to teach.

Programmatic accreditor: CAEP. State approval is granted by each state's department of education.

Ways to earn your bachelor's in Mathematics Teacher Education

A traditional four-year, on-campus bachelor's is the most common route into teaching, and for good reason: the degree leans on in-person field placements that build to a full term of student teaching. That said, 20 of the 247 ranked programs advertise an online or hybrid option, which can suit paraprofessionals and career-changers already working in schools; the clinical hours still take place in a real classroom near you.

You do not have to start at a four-year school. Many students spend their first two years at a community college, earn an associate's, and transfer in, which trims the cost of the early coursework, and statewide articulation agreements often guarantee the credits apply. If you already hold a bachelor's in another field, you can usually skip a second degree entirely and enter through an alternative-certification program or a master's-with-licensure route built for career-changers.

Whatever the format, the non-negotiable is supervised clinical practice. Every licensure-track program includes a student-teaching placement, and some now pair it with a paid, year-long residency alongside a mentor teacher, an increasingly common model that eases the unpaid-semester crunch traditional student teaching can create.

Sources: online and program counts from IPEDS; alternative-certification pathways per the US Department of Education.

How to become a math teacher

The steps from a math teacher education degree to a licensed secondary classroom, with the understanding that specifics vary by state.

  1. 1

    Earn a bachelor's degree

    Complete a four-year program in mathematics teacher education that combines upper-level math courses with instruction in teaching methods and adolescent learning.

  2. 2

    Complete a state-approved prep program

    Finish the supervised training in your degree, including a full student teaching placement where you plan and lead math lessons under a mentor teacher.

  3. 3

    Pass the required licensure exams

    Take and pass your state's exams, which usually include a math content test such as a Praxis subject assessment along with a general teaching exam.

  4. 4

    Apply for a state teaching license

    Submit your application to the state, including transcripts, test scores, and a background check, to receive your initial mathematics endorsement.

  5. 5

    Complete a mentored first year

    Many states issue a provisional license first and require an induction or mentoring period before you earn a full professional credential.

Requirements summarized from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and each state's department of education. Exact requirements vary by state.

Frequently asked questions about a Bachelor's in Mathematics Teacher Education

Do you need a bachelor's in mathematics education to teach math?

To teach math, you need a bachelor's degree from a state-approved teacher preparation program with a math endorsement, which public secondary schools generally require. A mathematics teacher education degree is the most direct route because it packages the required content and the classroom training together.

How long does a bachelor's in mathematics education take?

Most students finish a bachelor's in about four years of full-time study. The math coursework is demanding and the program ends with a semester of student teaching, so planning your schedule early helps you stay on track.

How much do math teachers earn with a bachelor's in mathematics education in 2026?

Math teachers earn salaries that depend on state, district, and experience. The BLS median wage for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education is $72,040, and math teachers are often in strong demand, which can improve hiring prospects.

What licensure do you need with a bachelor's in mathematics education?

You need a state teaching license with a mathematics endorsement, which requires passing a content exam and a general teaching exam. The specific tests and cutoff scores vary by state, so check the requirements where you plan to teach.

Can you earn a bachelor's in mathematics education online?

You can study some math education coursework online, but the student teaching component must happen in person in a real classroom. Confirm that any online program is approved for licensure in your intended state.

Is a bachelor's in mathematics education worth it?

A math teaching degree is worth it because qualified math teachers are consistently in demand, and the credential can lead to roles in curriculum development, instructional coaching, and tutoring. The strong quantitative background also opens doors outside education if your plans change.

Answers draw on IPEDS, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, and each state's department of education.

Data sources for our Bachelor's in Mathematics Teacher Education ranking