Best Bachelor's in Science Teacher Education Programs in 2026

The top 25 out of 89 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database, ranked on graduation rate, affordability, and more. CIP 13.1316.

Science Teacher Education prepares you to teach science in middle and high school classrooms, covering general science in the earlier grades and often a specialty such as biology, chemistry, physics, or earth science later on. A bachelor's in this field pairs solid science content with coursework in teaching methods, laboratory safety, and how students learn scientific reasoning, plus supervised classroom experience. Most programs lead to an initial teaching license in science. The ranking below covers accredited bachelor's programs and lists the tuition and graduation figures that help you compare them.

A science teacher guiding students through a hands-on experiment at a classroom lab bench
89Programs analyzed
$12,260Median in-state tuition
58%Median graduation rate
$72,040Median wage, secondary school teachers
  • In-state tuition typically runs from $4,452 to $51,438 a year, with a median near $12,260.
  • 53 of 89 ranked programs sit at public universities, and 5 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

    93score
    • 85%Grad rate
    • $6,535/yrIn-state tuition
    • $30,583/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 42%Admit rate
    • 28,422Undergrads
    • 11Grads/yr
    • 1385SAT mid
    • Science Education (BS)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Bachelor of Science in Science Education, based in its Department of STEM Education, lets future teachers specialize through concentrations in biology, chemistry, physics, or middle grades science. Across 120 credit hours, the program organizes its coursework around the different kinds of knowledge a science teacher needs, from deep content understanding to the pedagogical skill of making that content clear, and it backs the theory with rich field experiences in real science classrooms. Those experiences build toward a substantial student teaching course that anchors the senior year. Graduates in the single-science concentrations are recommended for an initial North Carolina teaching license in grades 9 to 12. Delivered on campus with placements in nearby schools, the degree keeps students close to the laboratories and classrooms where they will eventually teach. A bachelor's-level path in science teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in North Carolina.

    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 85% 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 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. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.

    Program page
  2. 2

    University of South Florida

    Tampa, FLPublic

    91score
    • 77%Grad rate
    • $4,559/yrIn-state tuition
    • $15,473/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 43%Admit rate
    • 38,525Undergrads
    • 3Grads/yr
    • 1225SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Science Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    USF's Bachelor of Science in Science Education prepares future middle and secondary (grades 6-12) science teachers, blending science content, teaching methods, and fieldwork in local classrooms. Students select a concentration in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics to focus their content area. The program embeds field experiences in secondary subject-area classrooms and culminates in a classroom internship. Delivery is on-campus. A bachelor's-level path in science teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Florida.

    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, 77% of students graduate, top 13% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. 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. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.

    Program page
  3. 3

    University of Georgia

    Athens, GAPublic

    90score
    • 90%Grad rate
    • $10,034/yrIn-state tuition
    • $30,272/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 38%Admit rate
    • 32,399Undergrads
    • 7Grads/yr
    • 1375SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Education in Science Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Future science teachers at the University of Georgia can build a Bachelor of Science in Education in Science Education around the subject they love most, choosing a concentration in a field such as biology, chemistry, earth and space science, or physics. Housed in the Mary Frances Early College of Education, the program blends deep content study with education coursework, so candidates understand both their discipline and how to teach it. Early practical experiences place students in middle and high school classrooms well before student teaching, and the program deliberately sends candidates into both the 6-8 and 9-12 grade bands to match state expectations. A full-time, semester-long student teaching placement caps the sequence. The result is initial Georgia certification to teach secondary science in grades 6-12, with a curriculum shaped by National Science Teachers Association standards and the Next Generation Science Standards. A bachelor's-level path in science teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in Georgia.

    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 90% 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 $10,034 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.

    Program page
  4. 4

    Clemson University

    Clemson, SCPublic

    86score
    • 87%Grad rate
    • $14,038/yrIn-state tuition
    • $39,350/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 38%Admit rate
    • 23,401Undergrads
    • 4Grads/yr
    • 1325SAT mid
    • Science Teaching, B.S./B.A.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Clemson University's Science Teaching degree, available as either a B.S. or a B.A. through the College of Education's Department of Teaching and Learning, is designed for future secondary science teachers seeking South Carolina certification. Rather than treating science as one broad subject, it asks candidates to choose a teaching area such as biological sciences, chemistry, or physics, then pairs that focused content study with education methods and clinical field experiences. The result is preparation that keeps a teacher's own scientific expertise close to the classroom skills they will need to convey it. The program is listed among the college's initial educator preparation programs reviewed by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. It is a traditional on-campus program, keeping candidates in labs, lecture halls, and partner schools throughout their study. Earning a bachelor's degree in science teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of South Carolina'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, 87% of students graduate, top 2% 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. The one drag is price, $14,038 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.

    Program page
  5. 5

    Auburn University

    Auburn, ALPublic

    85score
    • 82%Grad rate
    • $11,016/yrIn-state tuition
    • $33,048/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 46%Admit rate
    • 27,907Undergrads
    • 7Grads/yr
    • 1325SAT mid
    • General Science Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Auburn University's Bachelor of Science in General Science Education, offered through the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, is a 128-hour on-campus degree for students who want to bring science to grades 6 through 12. It joins science content with education coursework, so candidates deepen their command of the subject while learning how to make it clear to teenagers. The path builds toward a senior-year clinical residency worth 11 hours, paired with a science-teaching seminar, and students apply for that placement a year ahead. Completers become eligible to apply for Alabama Class A professional educator certification in science. Auburn's educator preparation is approved by the Alabama State Board of Education, and the College of Education lists CAEP among its accreditations and approvals. Graduates of this science 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 82% graduation rate lands it in the top 6% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. 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. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.

    Program page
  6. 6

    Brigham Young University

    Provo, UTPrivate nonprofit

    83score
    • 81%Grad rate
    • $6,688/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 68%Admit rate
    • 32,952Undergrads
    • 5Grads/yr
    • 1365SAT mid
    • Physical Science Education (BS)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Brigham Young University's Physical Science Education (BS) gives students a broad foundation across the physical sciences and prepares them to teach science in Utah secondary schools. The major pairs physical science content with professional education coursework and culminates in a secondary student teaching placement or academic internship. Graduates complete Utah State Board of Education licensing requirements. The program is delivered on campus in Provo. This bachelor's-level science teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Utah.

    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, 81% of students graduate, top 7% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. 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. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.

    Program page
  7. 7

    Boston University

    Boston, MAPrivate nonprofit

    79score
    • 89%Grad rate
    • $66,670/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 11%Admit rate
    • 18,805Undergrads
    • 2Grads/yr
    • 1475SAT mid
    • BS in Science Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Boston University's BS in Science Education is designed for undergraduates who want a strong footing in a single science alongside their teaching preparation, letting them concentrate in biology, chemistry, physics, or general science. Coursework blends broad electives with roughly 37 units of professional studies, and two practicum courses put candidates in front of real classrooms. Graduates who complete the sequence earn BU's endorsement and meet Massachusetts requirements for initial licensure, whether as a Teacher of General Science in grades 5 to 8 or in a chosen subject for grades 8 to 12. The program is delivered entirely on campus, through the Wheelock College of Education and Human Development. As of fall 2022 the university stopped admitting new undergraduates and now points applicants toward the BS in Education and Human Development, though continuing students may finish. As a bachelor's degree in science 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
  8. 8

    Texas Christian University

    Fort Worth, TXPrivate nonprofit

    76score
    • 86%Grad rate
    • $61,650/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 44%Admit rate
    • 11,049Undergrads
    • 1Grads/yr
    • 1245SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) in Science Education
    About the program

    Texas Christian University's Bachelor of Science in Education in Science Education is a 120 hour degree through the College of Education's Educator Preparation Program, and its real strength is how specifically it lets candidates aim their certification. Rather than a single generic science credential, students target a defined track such as Middle School Science for grades 4-8, Secondary Life Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, or a combined Math and Physics option, each mapped to the grade band it serves. That focus means graduates enter classrooms genuinely prepared for the subject they will teach. The path is grounded in practice, with nine hours of field experience coursework building toward a six-credit student teaching or advanced clinical placement. Meeting those benchmarks leads to initial Texas teacher certification in science. Graduates of this science 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, 86% of students graduate, top 3% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 44% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $61,650 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
  9. 9

    University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

    Norman, OKPublic

    75score
    • 75%Grad rate
    • $5,220/yrIn-state tuition
    • $22,800/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 77%Admit rate
    • 23,329Undergrads
    • 3Grads/yr
    • 1235SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Education (Science Education)
    About the program

    The University of Oklahoma's Science Education major, offered through the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, lets candidates specialize while keeping their options open, awarding a Bachelor of Science in Education alongside Oklahoma secondary certification in one of five areas such as Biological Sciences, Chemistry, or Physics. Coursework points steadily toward the classroom, preparing candidates to pass the state PPAT and OSAT certification exams. The heart of the program is a 16-week student teaching internship in the final semester, where each student works beside a cooperating teacher in a middle or high school setting. That focus on supervised practice reflects a broader commitment to preparing science teachers who are ready on day one. The college holds CAEP accreditation through 2026 for its initial certification programs, which explicitly include this degree. This bachelor's-level science teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Oklahoma.

    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 75% 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 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. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.

    Program page
  10. 10

    University of Vermont

    Burlington, VTPublic

    74score
    • 79%Grad rate
    • $16,280/yrIn-state tuition
    • $42,724/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 65%Admit rate
    • 12,276Undergrads
    • 6Grads/yr
    • 1365SAT mid
    • Teacher Education: Secondary Education (Grades 7-12), B.S.Ed.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    UVM's Secondary Education B.S.Ed. prepares candidates to teach grades 7-12 and recommends graduates for Vermont licensure with a first endorsement in whichever science they choose to specialize in. Rather than a single generic science credential, students concentrate in an area such as biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics, following the science teacher education path so their preparation matches the subject they will lead. The degree requires at least 120 credits that weave together general education, the content concentration, and professional coursework with fieldwork throughout. Candidates spend time in several community-based placements before stepping into a full-time, semester-long senior internship worth 12 credits. That progression gives them repeated exposure to real classrooms before they take charge of one. Offered on campus, the program suits science enthusiasts who want their disciplinary depth matched by steady, hands-on teaching practice. Graduates of this science 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 79% graduation rate lands it in the top 10% 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, $16,280 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
  11. 11

    University of California-Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz, CAPublic

    73score
    • 75%Grad rate
    • $12,260/yrIn-state tuition
    • $44,148/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 66%Admit rate
    • 17,940Undergrads
    • 3Grads/yr
    • Science Education B.S.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    UC Santa Cruz's Bachelor of Science in Science Education is aimed squarely at students who plan to teach secondary science in California, and its breadth reflects that ambition. Students build a wide foundation across the physical, life, Earth, and space sciences, then go deep in two fields chosen from physics, chemistry, biology, and Earth sciences, so they leave with both range and specialization. Education coursework runs alongside the science, anchored by a required Cal Teach internship sequence that puts students in middle and high school classrooms well before they graduate. The degree itself does not confer a California teaching credential, and the catalog is clear that most graduates earn it afterward through a post-baccalaureate program. Delivered on campus, it works best as strong scientific and clinical preparation for the credential work that follows. A bachelor's-level path in science teacher education, it builds toward a career among secondary school teachers in California.

    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, 75% of students graduate, top 16% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 66% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Tuition is middle of the road for programs nationwide at $12,260 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. On balance it is a well-rounded pick, which is what earns it a spot this high.

    Program page
  12. 12

    Miami University-Oxford

    Oxford, OHPublic

    70score
    • 80%Grad rate
    • $14,420/yrIn-state tuition
    • $35,866/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 75%Admit rate
    • 16,816Undergrads
    • 3Grads/yr
    • 1305SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Science in Education, Adolescent/Young Adult (AYA) Integrated Science major
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Miami University's Adolescent and Young Adult Integrated Science major leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education and prepares graduates to teach grades 7-12 across biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics while going deeper in one chosen area. The four-year plan totals 124 to 131 credit hours and is organized around fall and spring field blocks of paired methods courses, so science content and teaching practice advance together. Those blocks build toward a full supervised teaching semester, the roughly 16-week TCE 419 placement worth 15 credit hours. Coursework also reaches beyond the sciences into English Language Learner methods and STEM education electives, broadening how candidates reach diverse classrooms. Delivered on the Oxford campus and accredited by CAEP, the program results in an Ohio teaching license at completion. A bachelor's-level path in science 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 80% 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 75% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $14,420 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

    Gustavus Adolphus College

    Saint Peter, MNPrivate nonprofit

    68score
    • 77%Grad rate
    • $55,446/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 61%Admit rate
    • 1,905Undergrads
    • 1Grads/yr
    • 27ACT mid
    • Bachelor of Arts, Secondary Education major with content area in Biology/Life Science, Chemistry, or Physics
    About the program

    Gustavus Adolphus College prepares secondary science teachers through a Bachelor of Arts that couples a Secondary Education major with a content area in Biology/Life Science, Chemistry, or Physics. Candidates ground their teaching in a chosen discipline while learning how to bring it to students in grades 9-12, and those on the Biology/Life Science track can add an optional 5-8 middle-level endorsement that widens their reach. The program culminates in a required semester of student teaching and a state-approved performance assessment, either edTPA or CPAST. Its licensure standing is kept current through regular review, with the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board re-approving the program every three years and approval presently extending through June 30, 2028. Throughout, the program frames the teacher as an educational advocate. Earning a bachelor's degree in science teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Minnesota's 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, 77% of students graduate, top 13% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 61% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $55,446 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

    Cedarville University

    Cedarville, OHPrivate nonprofit

    66score
    • 73%Grad rate
    • $36,950/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 65%Admit rate
    • 5,790Undergrads
    • 2Grads/yr
    • 1245SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Arts in Science Comprehensive Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Cedarville University's Bachelor of Arts in Science Comprehensive Education prepares students to teach science in grades 7 through 12 in Christian or public schools, and it lets each candidate anchor that preparation in a specialization such as chemistry, life science, or physics. The design pairs deep content coursework in the chosen field with professional teacher education, so graduates know both their science and how to teach it. Classroom practice is extensive, with more than 600 hours of experience and a student teaching placement that can be completed locally or in an approved foreign country. Graduates may apply for a State of Ohio teaching license that transfers to other states, along with an ACSI certificate. Offered on campus, the program falls under the CAEP accreditation that covers the School of Education's undergraduate licensure programs. A bachelor's-level path in science 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 73% 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 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. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.

    Program page
  15. 15

    University of Iowa

    Iowa City, IAPublic

    65score
    • 75%Grad rate
    • $9,286/yrIn-state tuition
    • $31,374/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 84%Admit rate
    • 22,738Undergrads
    • 2Grads/yr
    • 1230SAT mid
    • Bachelor of Arts
    • On-campus
    About the program

    The University of Iowa offers the Science Education, BA through the College of Education's Department of Teaching and Learning. Based in Iowa City, this Bachelor of Arts prepares candidates for general science teaching and leads to licensure through the university's Teacher Education Program. Prospective students should consult the Department of Teaching and Learning for full curriculum and admission requirements. As a bachelor's degree in science teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in Iowa.

    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, 75% of students graduate, top 16% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 84% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $9,286 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
  16. 16

    Augustana College

    Rock Island, ILPrivate nonprofit

    65score
    • 73%Grad rate
    • $51,438/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 63%Admit rate
    • 2,522Undergrads
    • 1Grads/yr
    • 1150SAT mid
    • Science Teacher Education (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics Education)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Augustana College builds its secondary science teachers around the subject they love, letting candidates major in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics Education while earning licensure for grades nine through twelve, with a middle grades science option for those who want it. Coordinated through the Education Department, the path is unusually hands-on, asking students to log at least three clinical experiences before student teaching and rotating them through rural, urban, suburban, public, and private schools across the Quad Cities. That early and varied classroom time helps explain why more than ninety percent of education majors finish in four years. Licensure follows Illinois State Board of Education standards and carries reciprocity in most states. An NSF-funded POST scholarship adds real support, paying ten to thirty thousand dollars a year to STEM candidates who commit to four years in a high-needs school. This bachelor's-level science teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Illinois.

    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 73% 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 63% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $51,438 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.

    Program page
  17. 17

    Lipscomb University

    Nashville, TNPrivate nonprofit

    63score
    • 72%Grad rate
    • $37,460/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 68%Admit rate
    • 3,336Undergrads
    • 1Grads/yr
    • 1270SAT mid
    • Education: Middle Grades Education, 6-8 Licensure, B.A./B.S. (Science area of specialization)
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Lipscomb University's Middle Grades Education program leads to a B.A. or B.S. with 6-8 licensure and a science area of specialization, aiming candidates at the particular energy of the middle school science room. The science preparation reaches into human anatomy and physiology while also teaching how to actually explain biology, chemistry, and physics to young adolescents, so content knowledge and teaching method grow together. Candidates work through a sequence of clinical labs before stepping into a full student teaching placement in Nashville-area schools, and those who want a wider view can complete part of that teaching abroad. The College of Education oversees the path to Tennessee licensure for the middle grades. It is a program for students who love science and want to hand that curiosity to sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Earning a bachelor's degree in science teacher education is a common route toward becoming one of Tennessee's 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, 72% of students graduate, top 22% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 68% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $37,460 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.

    Program page
  18. 18

    Spring Arbor University

    Spring Arbor, MIPrivate nonprofit

    63score
    • 64%Grad rate
    • $33,344/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 52%Admit rate
    • 1,139Undergrads
    • 4Grads/yr
    • 1125SAT mid
    • Integrated Science Secondary Education (B.A.)
    About the program

    Spring Arbor University's Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Science Secondary Education, offered through the School of Education, combines 43 to 64 Integrated Science credit hours with 36 Secondary Education credit hours. The program emphasizes integrating various scientific disciplines and applying science to everyday life. Candidates choose among three certification pathways: Secondary Education 5-9, 7-12, or a combined 5-9 and 7-12 credential. This bachelor's-level science teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Michigan.

    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 64% graduation rate lands it in the top 36% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 52% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $33,344 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.

    Program page
  19. 19

    Hope College

    Holland, MIPrivate nonprofit

    62score
    • 80%Grad rate
    • $39,014/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 79%Admit rate
    • 3,395Undergrads
    • 5Grads/yr
    • 1220SAT mid
    • Secondary Education major paired with Integrated Science (ISG) content major
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Hope College trains future science teachers by pairing a Secondary Education major with an Integrated Science content major, a combination that keeps subject mastery and classroom craft moving together. Candidates prepare for the 5-9 and 7-12 grade bands, and those enrolling from Fall 2023 onward shape their science focus through a concentration in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, or Physics. Fieldwork is heavily front-loaded: clinical experiences run through three levels the program frames as Exploring, Committing, and Student Teaching, and candidates log at least 820 classroom hours beginning in their very first year. Before finishing, they must pass Professional Knowledge and Skills exams for both bands as well as a content-area exam. It is a traditional four-year, on-campus path, and the program reports a 100 percent job placement rate. Graduates of this science teacher education program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as 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 9% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 79% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $39,014 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.

    Program page
  20. 20

    University of Puerto Rico at Cayey

    Cayey, PRPublic

    61score
    • 50%Grad rate
    • $5,024/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 53%Admit rate
    • 2,093Undergrads
    • 1Grads/yr
    • 958SAT mid
    • Bachillerato en Artes en Educación Secundaria - Concentración en Ciencias Naturales
    • On-campus
    About the program

    The University of Puerto Rico at Cayey's Bachillerato en Artes en Educación Secundaria with a Concentración en Ciencias Naturales is a Bachelor of Arts that treats future science teachers as scientists first. Its 129 credits weave together general education, a substantial pedagogy core, and a science concentration that spans subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics, with calculus in the mix. Candidates put that content knowledge to work through a pre-práctica field experience and a six-credit clinical student teaching capstone in secondary schools. A dedicated STEM teaching course signals how deliberately the program connects subject expertise with classroom method. Accredited by CAEP, the degree leads to secondary teacher licensure and is delivered on campus through the Departamento de Pedagogía. This bachelor's-level science teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Puerto Rico.

    Why it ranks here

    Where it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. On completion, the heaviest factor, it lands mid-pack among programs nationwide at 50%, solid without being a standout. A 53% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $5,024 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.

    Program page
  21. 21

    Western Carolina University

    Cullowhee, NCPublic

    60score
    • 60%Grad rate
    • $1,000/yrIn-state tuition
    • $5,000/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 82%Admit rate
    • 10,112Undergrads
    • 4Grads/yr
    • 1175SAT mid
    • Secondary Science Education, B.S.Ed.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Western Carolina University's Secondary Science Education leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education across 120 credit hours, and it draws on two parts of the university working in tandem. The College of Arts and Sciences delivers the content concentrations in fields such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, while the education faculty in the School of Teaching and Learning handle pedagogy and licensure, so candidates gain real scientific depth alongside teaching skill. Students move through internships and a culminating student teaching placement mentored by experienced classroom teachers and WCU faculty, and they complete a capstone research experience in their chosen science. That research thread keeps future teachers connected to how science is actually practiced. Graduates earn licensure to teach grades 9 through 12 in North Carolina, with reciprocity in more than 40 other states. As a bachelor's degree in science teacher education, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as secondary school teachers in North Carolina.

    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 60% graduation rate lands it in the top 44% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 82% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $1,000 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.

    Program page
  22. 22

    Carroll College

    Helena, MTPrivate nonprofit

    59score
    • 69%Grad rate
    • $40,132/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 71%Admit rate
    • 1,112Undergrads
    • 2Grads/yr
    • 1175SAT mid
    • Science Education (5-12), B.A.
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Carroll College's Science Education (5-12), B.A. is a broadfield program for students who want to teach across the sciences rather than a single discipline, preparing them for the middle and high school grades and leading to Montana licensure. Candidates build genuine breadth by studying content in areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science alongside their professional education coursework, so they can move comfortably between subjects in a real school. Classroom experience anchors the program, including a diversity-focused placement and a full semester of student teaching that puts theory into practice. The curriculum aligns with Montana Professional Educator Preparation Standards, keeping preparation tied to state expectations. All study takes place on the Helena campus, giving science candidates a close, in-person learning community. Graduates of this science 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, 69% of students graduate, top 24% 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. The one drag is price, $40,132 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.

    Program page
  23. 23

    University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Lincoln, NEPublic

    59score
    • 67%Grad rate
    • $8,250/yrIn-state tuition
    • $26,400/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 87%Admit rate
    • 19,701Undergrads
    • 3Grads/yr
    • 1214SAT mid
    • Secondary Education: Science
    • On-campus
    About the program

    The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Secondary Education: Science major suits students who want the flexibility to teach across the sciences, offering concentrations in areas such as broad field science, biology, chemistry, and physics on the way to a Bachelor of Science in Education. Housed in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, the 120-credit on-campus program treats fieldwork as the heart of preparation, with practicum sequences and student teaching that add up to more than 600 hours in real science classrooms before graduation. That depth of experience means candidates learn to run a lab and a lesson long before they have their own room. Graduates emerge eligible for endorsement to teach subjects like biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics in grades 7 through 12. Graduates of this science 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 67% graduation rate lands it in the top 26% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Admission is close to open access at 87%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. Cost only helps its case: at $8,250 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.

    Program page
  24. 24

    University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

    Eau Claire, WIPublic

    58score
    • 64%Grad rate
    • $7,931/yrIn-state tuition
    • $17,517/yrOut-of-state tuition
    • 82%Admit rate
    • 9,351Undergrads
    • 9Grads/yr
    • 25ACT mid
    • Science Teaching Comprehensive Major (Biology, Chemistry, Earth/Space Science, or Physics emphasis required)
    About the program

    The Science Teaching Comprehensive Major at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is a Bachelor of Science that prepares students to teach science in grades 4 through 12. Candidates select an emphasis in biology, chemistry, earth and space science, or physics, building deep content knowledge in one discipline alongside professional coursework in teaching methods. The program includes field experience and a term of student teaching, and it leads to a recommendation for teacher licensure. This bachelor's-level science teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in Wisconsin.

    Why it ranks here

    Where it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 64% of students graduate, top 36% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 82% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $7,931 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.

    Program page
  25. 25

    Bob Jones University

    Greenville, SCPrivate nonprofit

    57score
    • 65%Grad rate
    • $20,752/yrTuition (in or out of state)
    • 2,312Undergrads
    • 1Grads/yr
    • Science Education
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Bob Jones University's Bachelor of Science in Science Education prepares candidates to teach grades 7 through 12. Students choose a Biology track or a Composite Science track covering geology, astronomy, and chemistry, and all science courses are taught from a literal six-day Creation perspective. Field experience moves from observation and tutoring to a capstone semester of clinical practice with a mentor teacher in a local public school. The on-campus program is approved by the South Carolina Department of Education and leads to initial state licensure. This bachelor's-level science teacher education program prepares graduates for work as secondary school teachers in South Carolina.

    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 65% graduation rate lands it in the top 30% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. The one drag is price, $20,752 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 Science 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 Science Teacher Education program costs

Published in-state tuition across the 89 ranked bachelor's programs typically runs from $4,452 to $51,438 a year, with a median near $12,260. 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. 53 of the 89 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 Science Teacher Education

A bachelor's in Science 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 Science 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 Science 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, 5 of the 89 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 science teacher

Becoming a licensed science teacher follows a clear sequence, though specific requirements vary by state.

  1. 1

    Earn a bachelor's degree in science education program

    Complete an undergraduate program that combines science content courses with education coursework, built around a state-approved preparation program.

  2. 2

    Complete a state-approved teacher preparation program

    This includes supervised student teaching in science classrooms, where you plan lessons, run labs, and manage students under a mentor teacher.

  3. 3

    Pass the required licensure exams

    States generally require a science content test in your teaching area plus a general pedagogy exam, often from the Praxis series or a state-specific equivalent.

  4. 4

    Apply for your state teaching license

    Submit your application with transcripts, exam scores, and a criminal background check. The subject and grade range on your license depend on your state and coursework.

  5. 5

    Complete a mentored first year and keep your license current

    Many states support new teachers with a mentor and require continuing education or a master's within a set window to advance to a professional license.

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 Science Teacher Education

Do you need a bachelor's in science education to become a science teacher?

To become a science teacher you need at least a bachelor's degree, and for public schools it should lead to state licensure in science. A degree in science education is the most direct route because it combines the science content, teaching methods, and student teaching that states require.

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

Becoming a science teacher usually takes about four years. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, including student teaching in the final year. Once you graduate and pass the required exams, you can typically apply for a license right away.

How much can you earn with a bachelor's in science education in 2026?

Science teachers earn pay that depends on the grade level, district, and experience, and it often rises with advanced degrees. The BLS reports a median wage of $72,040 for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, a useful reference for science teachers at the high school level.

Do you need a license to teach science with a bachelor's in science education?

Yes, you need a state teaching license to teach science in public schools, which the bachelor's programs on this page are designed to prepare you for. Some private schools hire without one, but requirements vary and most classroom science jobs expect a license.

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

You can earn part of a science teaching degree online, but not all of it. Some science and education courses can be taken online, but labs and student teaching require in-person work, so fully online options are limited. Hybrid programs that pair online classes with local placements are more common in this field.

Is a bachelor's in science education worth it?

A science education degree is worth it if you want a classroom career. Science teachers are in steady demand, especially in subjects like physics and chemistry. The content background can also support related roles in science outreach, curriculum development, and informal education at museums and science centers.

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

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