Best Bachelor's in Teacher Education, Multiple Levels Programs in 2026
The top 25 out of 71 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database, ranked on graduation rate, affordability, and more. CIP 13.1206.
Teacher Education, Multiple Levels prepares you to teach across a broad grade span rather than a single narrow band, often spanning elementary through middle school or covering a subject across several grade levels. These programs combine foundational coursework in child and adolescent development, teaching methods, and curriculum with supervised classroom experience at more than one level. Most lead to an initial teaching license, with the exact grade range set by the state and your chosen concentration. The ranking below covers accredited bachelor's programs and shows the tuition and graduation figures that help you compare them.
- In-state tuition typically runs from $5,856 to $56,545 a year, with a median near $15,388.
- 34 of 71 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
University of Central Florida
96score- 78%Grad rate
- $4,478/yrIn-state tuition
- $19,810/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 40%Admit rate
- 59,552Undergrads
- 21Grads/yr
- 1275SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (K-6 Certification track)
- On-campus
About the programUCF's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education totals 120 credit hours, with 81 hours in the major. The K-6 Certification track is a state-approved initial teacher preparation program aligned to Florida Statutes and State Board Rule 6A-5.066, preparing candidates for Florida certification in Elementary Education (K-6). Students complete two internship blocks, Internship I (3 hours) and Internship II (9 hours), and earn both ESOL and Reading endorsements. Candidates must pass required Florida Teacher Certification Examination sections. The program is delivered on campus. Graduates of this teacher education, multiple levels program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts 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 78% 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 40% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $4,478 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.
- 2
University of South Florida
93score- 77%Grad rate
- $4,559/yrIn-state tuition
- $15,473/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 43%Admit rate
- 38,525Undergrads
- 32Grads/yr
- 1225SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in Education (with ESOL and Reading Endorsement)
- Hybrid
About the programUSF's Education B.S. (the BXE program) is a 68-credit hybrid, cohort-based degree offered at the St. Petersburg campus that prepares dual-certified teachers. Graduates earn Florida certification in K-5 Elementary Education and K-12 Exceptional Student Education, plus Reading and ESOL endorsements. The program blends online and in-person coursework with three progressive internships in local schools, culminating in a final internship and portfolio that prepares students for Florida teacher certification. Because it certifies across elementary and K-12 exceptional education, it fits the multiple-levels teacher education category. Earning a bachelor's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of Florida's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWhere it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 77% of students graduate, top 7% 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. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.
- 3
Spelman College
85score- 78%Grad rate
- $28,207/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 25%Admit rate
- 3,417Undergrads
- 6Grads/yr
- 1214SAT mid
- Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education (teacher certification program)
- On-campus
About the programSpelman College's teacher preparation offerings lead to Georgia certification, with the Elementary Education major awarding a Bachelor of Arts for Grades PreK-5. The 63-credit major requires EDU 206 Orientation to Education, formal program admission, and a 12-credit EDU 457 Student Teaching placement. Spelman's educator preparation programs are accredited through CAEP and approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission through May 2030. Delivery is on-campus. The separate Education Studies major is a non-licensure track that can precede a graduate certification program. Secondary certification for Grades 6-12 is also offered. Earning a bachelor's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of Georgia's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe 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 78% graduation rate lands it in the top 4% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Admissions are competitive, a 25% acceptance rate, which nudges it further up. The one drag is price, $28,207 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.
- 4
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
83score- 86%Grad rate
- $20,066/yrIn-state tuition
- $41,212/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 61%Admit rate
- 42,604Undergrads
- 229Grads/yr
- 1330SAT mid
- Middle Level Education, B.S.
- On-campus
About the programPenn State's University Park campus offers a Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education that certifies teachers for grades 4 through 8. Students teach all subjects in the lower grades and choose a concentration in English, mathematics, or social studies for the upper grades. The program builds from classroom observation to a part-time placement and a full-time student teaching semester, and it leads to Pennsylvania Instructional I certification. It is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. A bachelor's-level path in teacher education, multiple levels, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. Start with the outcome that matters most, 86% of students graduate, top 1% 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, $20,066 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.
- 5
Vanderbilt University
80score- 94%Grad rate
- $65,008/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 6%Admit rate
- 7,221Undergrads
- 12Grads/yr
- 1535SAT mid
- Elementary or Secondary Education, B.S.
- On-campus
About the programVanderbilt's Peabody College builds its Bachelor of Science in Elementary or Secondary Education around research and heavy classroom practice, giving candidates a single major with two clear directions into teaching. Students choose an elementary track or a secondary track that prepares them for grades 7 through 12 in English, mathematics, natural sciences, or social sciences. The degree keeps a strong liberal arts backbone, with roughly half of coursework in liberal arts and, for non-special-education candidates, a required second, non-education major that strengthens subject knowledge. Secondary candidates move through screening stages tied to a sophomore practicum before advancing into supervised field placements that anchor their preparation. The program is delivered on Vanderbilt's Nashville campus and leads to teacher licensure. A bachelor's-level path in teacher education, multiple levels, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Tennessee.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts 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 94% 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 6% acceptance rate, which nudges it further up. The one drag is price, $65,008 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. Strong on the measures that matter most, it earns a place near the top.
- 6
College of Charleston
71score- 66%Grad rate
- $12,518/yrIn-state tuition
- $37,836/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 60%Admit rate
- 10,880Undergrads
- 3Grads/yr
- 1225SAT mid
- Teacher Education Program (Department of Teacher Education, multiple certification levels)
- CAEP-accredited
- On-campus
About the programRather than a single track, College of Charleston's Department of Teacher Education offers a family of routes into South Carolina licensure, letting candidates aim at the grade band that fits them best. The certification areas span early childhood in PreK-3, elementary in grades 2-6, middle level in grades 5-8, and secondary in grades 9-12, so the grade band a student earns follows directly from the area they choose. Whichever path they take, candidates combine coursework with field experience in real classrooms, keeping preparation grounded in practice. The programs are housed in the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance and taught on campus. The educator preparation program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, which anchors the whole slate of certification options in a shared standard. A bachelor's-level path in teacher education, multiple levels, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in South Carolina.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. Start with the outcome that matters most, 66% of students graduate, top 32% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. A 60% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $12,518 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.
- 7
The College of Wooster
70score- 74%Grad rate
- $61,120/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 60%Admit rate
- 1,738Undergrads
- 1Grads/yr
- 1340SAT mid
- Education major (completed with a second content-area major)
- On-campus
About the programAt the College of Wooster, teaching is treated as a discipline built on deep subject knowledge, so the Education major is never taken alone: students pair it with a second content-area major and graduate with an Ohio initial teaching license. That structure opens up thirteen licensure areas, from Elementary and Primary work in the early grades to Adolescent to Young Adult teaching in fields such as mathematics, sciences, social studies, and language arts, plus Multi-Age options in music, world languages, and visual arts. Whichever track they choose, candidates log no fewer than 700 hours of classroom experience before and during student teaching, an unusually hands-on commitment. Everything is delivered on campus. The department reports accreditation from CAEP for its initial programs through Fall 2030. Earning a bachelor's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of Ohio's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWe 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 74% graduation rate lands it in the top 12% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 60% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $61,120 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.
- 8
Dordt University
70score- 70%Grad rate
- $36,400/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 68%Admit rate
- 1,716Undergrads
- 7Grads/yr
- 1200SAT mid
- Bachelor of Arts in Education
- On-campus
About the programDordt University's Bachelor of Arts in Education is flexible enough to prepare candidates for a range of teaching roles, with elementary K-6 and secondary 5-12 endorsement tracks alongside vertical K-12 emphases in fields such as art, music, physical education, Spanish, and special education. All candidates advance through the Teacher Preparation Program's three checkpoints for admission, student teaching approval, and licensure, which keeps expectations clear at each stage. Clinical experience builds steadily, from a 25-hour tutoring component and roughly 60 hours of classroom assistance to a yearlong Professional Development School placement in a partner school during the senior year. Because the program is approved by the Iowa Department of Education, graduates qualify for Iowa licensure and can carry it to other states through reciprocity. Instruction is delivered on campus. This bachelor's-level teacher education, multiple levels program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Iowa.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThree 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 17% 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, $36,400 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.
- 9
Anderson University
67score- 66%Grad rate
- $34,020/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 55%Admit rate
- 3,683Undergrads
- 19Grads/yr
- 1190SAT mid
- Bachelor's in Teacher Education, multiple-level (PK-12) certification programs
- CAEP-accredited
- On-campus
About the programAnderson University's bachelor's programs in teacher education are built for candidates who want to certify across the full PK-12 span rather than a single grade band, and they cluster in subjects that naturally reach every age of student, such as art, music, physical education, and special education. Coursework is designed so that content study and pedagogy grow together from the first year, which gives future teachers early practice connecting what they know to how they will teach it. The eight-semester sequence has room for an add-on certification track in learning disabilities, a useful option for candidates who want a second area of expertise. Every bachelor's degree is designed to lead to initial teacher licensure through the South Carolina State Department of Education, and because the state holds reciprocity with most others, graduates carry their preparation well beyond South Carolina. The programs are CAEP accredited and taught on campus. Earning a bachelor's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of South Carolina's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWe 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 66% graduation rate lands it in the top 32% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 55% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $34,020 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.
- 10
Samford University
66score- 77%Grad rate
- $39,000/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 82%Admit rate
- 4,210Undergrads
- 27Grads/yr
- 1160SAT mid
- Elementary Collaborative (ESEC), Bachelor's
About the programThe Orlean Beeson School of Education offers an Elementary Collaborative (ESEC) undergraduate program that leads to Alabama teaching certificates in four areas: Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary Education, and Elementary Collaborative Education, allowing graduates to teach children from birth through sixth grade in both general and special education settings. Candidates complete roughly 1,000 clinical hours in classrooms prior to student teaching in immersion partnerships with local schools. The school states every licensure pathway is accredited by CAEP. A bachelor's-level path in teacher education, multiple levels, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Alabama.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe 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 7% 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. The one drag is price, $39,000 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.
- 11
Salisbury University
66score- 68%Grad rate
- $7,860/yrIn-state tuition
- $18,950/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 87%Admit rate
- 6,288Undergrads
- 3Grads/yr
- 1250SAT mid
- Elementary Education with Dual Certification in Early Childhood Education, BS
- On-campus
About the programSalisbury University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with Dual Certification in Early Childhood Education is designed to do double duty, qualifying graduates to teach across two grade bands, Early Childhood (PreK-3) and Elementary (1-6), from a single degree. Offered through the Seidel School of Education, it is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation and approved by the Maryland State Department of Education, so the certification it leads to rests on recognized standards. Clinical experience and internship placements give candidates real classroom time, including work at regional Professional Development Schools. Students can also shape the degree to their interests through optional minors such as Creative Arts, Middle School Science Education, and Social Justice Studies. Graduates of this teacher education, multiple levels program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThree 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, 68% of students graduate, top 23% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. 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 $7,860 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.
- 12
Elmhurst University
64score- 70%Grad rate
- $42,495/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 74%Admit rate
- 3,213Undergrads
- 19Grads/yr
- 1125SAT mid
- Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Teacher Education
- On-campus
About the programElmhurst University's Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Teacher Education, offered through the Education department, prepares students for licensure to teach kindergarten through sixth grade. Structured as a two-year major for juniors and seniors with admission in the Fall Term only, the program addresses first through third grade and fourth through sixth grade coursework separately. Candidates complete a practicum and seminar (ELM 450) and required student teaching (ELM 451), and choose a minor in a high-need area of education. ESL and Bilingual endorsements are available. This bachelor's-level teacher education, multiple levels program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Illinois.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe 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 70% graduation rate lands it in the top 17% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. A 74% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. The one drag is price, $42,495 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.
- 13
Hofstra University
64score- 69%Grad rate
- $56,545/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 68%Admit rate
- 6,581Undergrads
- 20Grads/yr
- 1315SAT mid
- BS in Early Childhood/Childhood Education
- CAEP-accredited
- On-campus
About the programHofstra's Early Childhood/Childhood Education major, offered as a BS or BA, prepares candidates for New York initial certification across multiple levels: Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2) and Childhood Education (Grades 1-6). Candidates complete a minimum of 100 hours of fieldwork plus student teaching, with Hofstra typically providing about 250 hours of clinical experience in elementary settings before formal student teaching. Dual BS/MSEd and BA/MA pathways are also available. The page states the programs are fully accredited by CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Coursework and clinical placements are campus-based. As a bachelor's degree in teacher education, multiple levels, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New York.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThree 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 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, $56,545 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.
- 14
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
64score- 67%Grad rate
- $8,250/yrIn-state tuition
- $26,400/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 87%Admit rate
- 19,701Undergrads
- 8Grads/yr
- 1214SAT mid
- Bachelor's
- On-campus
About the programThe University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers a bachelor's degree in teacher education spanning multiple levels, delivered on campus. UNL is a large research university organized into nine academic colleges, and many students work one-on-one with a professional advisor when choosing a major. This bachelor's-level teacher education, multiple levels program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Nebraska.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWe 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 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. No single weakness drags it down, and that consistency lands it in the upper tier.
- 15
Juniata College
62score- 74%Grad rate
- $57,500/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 79%Admit rate
- 1,242Undergrads
- 12Grads/yr
- 1225SAT mid
About the programJuniata College, a private nonprofit in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, offers a teacher education program at the bachelor's level. It is designed for students preparing to teach across multiple grade levels rather than a single one. Candidates pursue the program as undergraduates, combining their studies with the preparation needed for classroom teaching. This bachelor's-level teacher education, multiple levels program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWhere it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 74% of students graduate, top 12% 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, $57,500 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.
- 16
Niagara University
61score- 75%Grad rate
- $37,190/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 87%Admit rate
- 2,692Undergrads
- 4Grads/yr
- 1148SAT mid
- Childhood and Middle Childhood Education
- On-campus
About the programNiagara University's Childhood and Middle Childhood Education program is a flexible 120-credit B.A./B.S. that reaches across two certification bands at once, preparing candidates for initial New York State certification in grades 1-6 as well as subject-specific grades 5-9. Housed in the College of Education, it insists on genuine subject expertise, with at least 36 credits in a content specialization drawn from options in subjects such as English, mathematics, and the sciences. Field experience follows a deliberate arc, beginning with school observation in the first semester and building toward a comprehensive, supervised student teaching experience. The educator-preparation unit holds CAEP accreditation, and the university reports that its certification carries reciprocity in 46 states. Instruction is delivered on campus. Graduates of this teacher education, multiple levels program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe 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 75% graduation rate lands it in the top 9% 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. The one drag is price, $37,190 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.
- 17
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
61score- 64%Grad rate
- $11,405/yrIn-state tuition
- $19,393/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 81%Admit rate
- 14,783Undergrads
- 72Grads/yr
- 1105SAT mid
- Adolescence to Young Adult/Secondary Education, B.S.Ed.
- On-campus
About the programBowling Green State University's Adolescence to Young Adult program is a Bachelor of Science in Education that prepares students to teach grades 7 through 12. Candidates choose a content concentration in integrated language arts, integrated mathematics, integrated social studies, or integrated science, and build toward a full-time student teaching internship through extensive classroom field experience. The on-campus program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and leads to an Ohio teaching license. Graduates of this teacher education, multiple levels program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. 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 81% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $11,405 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.
- 18
Middle Tennessee State University
61score- 54%Grad rate
- $8,204/yrIn-state tuition
- $29,512/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 69%Admit rate
- 18,042Undergrads
- 6Grads/yr
- 1120SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
- Hybrid
About the programMiddle Tennessee State University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education stands out for its reach, having been the first program the Tennessee Department of Education approved to award three licensure areas within a single four-year degree. Offered through the College of Education on ground and in a hybrid format, it prepares graduates at once for Elementary Education K-5, Special Education Interventionist K-8, and English as a Second Language K-12. The coursework moves from content knowledge into instructional and assessment strategies and classroom management, giving candidates a broad teaching toolkit. Field placements in elementary classrooms grow more involved as students progress. Much of the program is deliberately built around the needs of multilingual learners and students with disabilities. It is accredited by CAEP. Earning a bachelor's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of Tennessee's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts rank is built from three numbers: graduation rate, admission rate, and in-state tuition, in that order of weight. On completion, the heaviest factor, it lands mid-pack among programs nationwide at 54%, solid without being a standout. A 69% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $8,204 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.
- 19
Stockton University
58score- 69%Grad rate
- $13,606/yrIn-state tuition
- $21,864/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 89%Admit rate
- 7,565Undergrads
- 14Grads/yr
- 1130SAT mid
- Teacher Education Program (TEDU) - Elementary/Middle Level Certification
About the programStockton University takes an integrated approach to teacher preparation, embedding elementary and middle-level certification inside a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies or Psychology rather than treating it as a separate major. Run through the School of Education, the program leads to New Jersey certification for preschool (P-3) and elementary (K-6), with an optional middle school (6-8) endorsement for candidates who want to reach older students. Liberal Studies students can shape their focus through concentrations such as Early Childhood, Language Arts and Social Studies, or STEAM, aligning their content study with the grades they hope to teach. The program is approved by the New Jersey Department of Education, accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and recognized by NASDTEC. A post-baccalaureate pathway and online coursework add flexibility for different starting points. As a bachelor's degree in teacher education, multiple levels, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as elementary school teachers in New Jersey.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWhere 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. Admission is close to open access at 89%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. Cost only helps its case: at $13,606 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.
- 20
University of Louisville
58score- 61%Grad rate
- $12,940/yrIn-state tuition
- $29,286/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 79%Admit rate
- 17,086Undergrads
- 21Grads/yr
- 1155SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education or Middle and Secondary Education
- On-campus
About the programThe University of Louisville offers a single Bachelor of Science that opens onto two very different classroom careers, letting students pick an Elementary Education track for grades P-5 or a Middle and Secondary Education track for grades 6-12. Housed in the Department of Elementary, Middle & Secondary Teacher Education, the program prepares undergraduates for Kentucky teacher certification while keeping its options open, with dual certification available for those who want to teach across levels. The department frames the experience around helping candidates blaze a path toward certification, endorsements, or advanced study in education. That built-in flexibility appeals to students still deciding exactly where they fit best. Instruction takes place on campus. This bachelor's-level teacher education, multiple levels program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Kentucky.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. Start with the outcome that matters most, 61% of students graduate, top 42% 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. Cost only helps its case: at $12,940 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.
- 21
University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon
55score- 37%Grad rate
- $5,954/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 35%Admit rate
- 2,851Undergrads
- 26Grads/yr
About the programThe University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon prepares undergraduates for teacher certification through two academic units, the Departamento de Pedagogia and the Departamento de Sicomotricidad Humana, which covers physical education. Together they open routes into both general pedagogy and physical education teaching, giving students who plan to become certified teachers more than one subject focus to build their preparation around. Earning a bachelor's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of Puerto Rico's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWe 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. The sticking point is completion, the factor we weigh most heavily: at 37% the graduation rate trails the national median, which caps how high it can climb. A 35% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $5,954 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.
- 22
George Fox University
51score- 72%Grad rate
- $40,600/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 94%Admit rate
- 3,354Undergrads
- 3Grads/yr
- 1205SAT mid
- Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education (with optional Mid-Level Authorization)
- On-campus
About the programGeorge Fox University's Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education, offered through the College of Education, is built for candidates who want to teach the youngest students while keeping their range wide. It prepares them for Oregon licensure at the Early Childhood and Elementary levels, with an optional Mid-Level Authorization that extends teaching into grades 5 through 10. The 79-credit program folds in an ESOL endorsement and a full year of student teaching alongside multiple practicum experiences, and adventurous students can even complete part of their student teaching in Ecuador. An accelerated online degree-completion track opens the door to working adults as well. The College of Education holds AAQEP accreditation for its initial and advanced programs, effective through June 30, 2028. This bachelor's-level teacher education, multiple levels program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Oregon.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThree 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 13% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. Admission is close to open access at 94%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. The one drag is price, $40,600 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.
- 23
Roger Williams University
51score- 69%Grad rate
- $44,867/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 88%Admit rate
- 4,038Undergrads
- 8Grads/yr
- 1225SAT mid
- Elementary Education
- On-campus
About the programRoger Williams University's Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, offered through the Department of Education in the Feinstein School of Humanities, Arts, and Education, prepares candidates to teach grades K-6 in a residential, in-person setting. The heart of the program is a clinical experience that spans all four years, so students are never far from a real classroom. It opens with first-year observation, deepens through a sophomore-year residency, and culminates in a senior-year student teaching placement, giving candidates time to build confidence in stages. All teacher education programs at the university are approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education. Thanks to a NASDTEC interstate agreement, graduates are eligible for certification in Rhode Island and most other states as well. Graduates of this teacher education, multiple levels program at the bachelor's level often go on to work as elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe 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 69% graduation rate lands it in the top 22% of programs nationwide, and since finishing counts for the most, that does much of the work. Admission is close to open access at 88%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. The one drag is price, $44,867 in state, above the national median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability.
- 24
Longwood University
51score- 61%Grad rate
- $8,840/yrIn-state tuition
- $21,080/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 90%Admit rate
- 3,314Undergrads
- 4Grads/yr
- 1120SAT mid
- Elementary and Middle School Education and Teaching
- On-campus
About the programLongwood University's Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Middle School Education is designed for candidates who want to keep their options open, since it earns licensure in both Elementary grades PreK-6 and a single Middle School content area at once. Housed in the Department of Education and Counseling, the program lets students concentrate their middle school preparation in a field such as English, Mathematics, Natural Science, or Social Science. Fieldwork is a constant thread rather than an afterthought, with roughly 210 hours of classroom experience embedded across coursework before students ever reach their capstone. That final step is a 10-credit student teaching placement guided by both a university supervisor and a faculty coach. Offered by a CAEP-accredited provider, the degree gives new teachers two grade bands' worth of flexibility as they enter the profession. Earning a bachelor's degree in teacher education, multiple levels is a common route toward becoming one of Virginia's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWhere it lands is a story about completion first, then selectivity, then cost. Start with the outcome that matters most, 61% of students graduate, top 42% among programs nationwide, which is the biggest reason it sits where it does. Admission is close to open access at 90%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. Cost only helps its case: at $8,840 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.
- 25
Sam Houston State University
50score- 55%Grad rate
- $5,856/yrIn-state tuition
- $15,696/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 90%Admit rate
- 17,787Undergrads
- 320Grads/yr
- 1025SAT mid
- Interdisciplinary Studies (Teacher Education)
About the programSam Houston State University builds its Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies around choice, letting teacher candidates aim at the early grades, the middle grades, or a specialized focus while sharing one broad foundation. Offered through the School of Teaching and Learning, the degree prepares students for certification at the EC-6 and 4-8 levels, with tracks that range from EC-6 Core Generalist and bilingual options to 4-8 concentrations in subjects such as mathematics, science, and English language arts. A supplemental ESL certificate is available alongside most paths. What ties it together is a sequence of three field experience phases that steadily increase classroom time and culminate in a full-load student teaching block or a year-long clinical placement. Coursework runs at Huntsville, online, and The Woodlands Center, so candidates can study close to where they live. A bachelor's-level path in teacher education, multiple levels, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Texas.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts rank is built from three numbers: graduation rate, admission rate, and in-state tuition, in that order of weight. On completion, the heaviest factor, it lands mid-pack among programs nationwide at 55%, solid without being a standout. Admission is close to open access at 90%, so this is a program that bets on teaching students well rather than screening them out. Cost only helps its case: at $5,856 in state, tuition runs below the national median, so students are not paying a premium for those results.
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 Teacher Education, Multiple Levels?
Graduates most often go on to work as elementary school teachers. Nationally, the median wage for that occupation is $63,970, with most earning between $47,960 and $104,340, and roughly 1,388,390 people employed across the United States, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This degree prepares teachers across multiple grade levels; the elementary occupation is shown as a representative match.
Read the full guide on how to become an elementary school teacher, or see elementary school teachers pay by state →
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 25-2021), and BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are national and not school-specific.
Elementary School Teachers Salary by State in 2026
Median annual wage for elementary school teachers, by state. Highest is Washington at $102,350, lowest is Oklahoma at $48,200.
| State | Median wage |
|---|---|
| Washington | $102,350 |
| California | $99,650 |
| District of Columbia | $96,580 |
| Massachusetts | $94,000 |
| Rhode Island | $90,930 |
| New York | $85,760 |
| Connecticut | $80,600 |
| Alaska | $79,260 |
| New Jersey | $78,200 |
| Maryland | $77,680 |
| Ohio | $77,370 |
| Oregon | $77,130 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,060 |
| Minnesota | $76,350 |
| Delaware | $75,920 |
| Illinois | $75,320 |
| Utah | $74,810 |
| New Mexico | $74,550 |
| New Hampshire | $72,410 |
| Georgia | $72,290 |
| Hawaii | $71,410 |
| Virginia | $65,550 |
| Michigan | $65,110 |
| Nevada | $65,040 |
| Colorado | $63,410 |
| Vermont | $63,070 |
| Texas | $62,760 |
| Maine | $62,390 |
| Nebraska | $62,380 |
| Guam | $62,240 |
| Idaho | $61,600 |
| Alabama | $61,380 |
| Wisconsin | $61,210 |
| Wyoming | $61,150 |
| South Carolina | $60,820 |
| Kentucky | $60,610 |
| Iowa | $60,580 |
| Virgin Islands | $60,560 |
| North Dakota | $60,030 |
| Tennessee | $59,980 |
| Indiana | $59,700 |
| Florida | $58,930 |
| Louisiana | $58,770 |
| Montana | $57,530 |
| Arizona | $56,590 |
| Kansas | $56,450 |
| West Virginia | $55,630 |
| North Carolina | $54,930 |
| Arkansas | $52,700 |
| Puerto Rico | $51,540 |
| Missouri | $50,910 |
| South Dakota | $50,130 |
| Mississippi | $49,790 |
| Oklahoma | $48,200 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
How much a bachelor's in Teacher Education, Multiple Levels program costs
Published in-state tuition across the 71 ranked bachelor's programs typically runs from $5,856 to $56,545 a year, with a median near $15,388. 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. 34 of the 71 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 elementary school teachers is $63,970 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 Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
A bachelor's in Teacher Education, Multiple Levels 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 Teacher Education, Multiple Levels?
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 Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
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 71 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 multi-level teacher
This path leads to a teaching license that spans more than one grade level, and the specifics vary by state.
- 1
Earn a bachelor's degree in a multi-level teacher education program
Complete an undergraduate degree built around a state-approved preparation program, choosing a grade span or subject concentration that fits your goals.
- 2
Complete a state-approved teacher preparation program
This includes supervised student teaching, often at more than one grade level, where you plan lessons and manage classrooms under a mentor teacher.
- 3
Pass the required licensure exams
States generally require content tests for your teaching areas plus a general pedagogy exam, often from the Praxis series or a state-specific equivalent.
- 4
Apply for your state teaching license
Submit your application with transcripts, exam scores, and a criminal background check. Your license's grade range depends on your program and state rules.
- 5
Complete a mentored first year and maintain your license
New teachers are often paired with a mentor and renew their license through continuing education or an advanced degree over time.
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 Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
What does a bachelor's in teacher education for multiple levels cover?
A multiple-levels teaching degree covers a wider grade span than a single-level program, such as elementary into middle school or a subject taught across several grades. The exact range depends on the concentration you choose and your state's license structure.
Do I need a bachelor's in teacher education for multiple levels to teach in public schools?
You need at least a bachelor's degree that leads to state licensure to teach in public schools, which is what these programs are designed for. The multi-level structure can give you flexibility to qualify for jobs across more than one grade band.
How long does a bachelor's in teacher education for multiple levels take to finish?
A bachelor's degree typically takes about four years of full-time study to finish, including student teaching near the end. Because these programs prepare you for more than one level, they may involve placements at different grades.
How much do teachers earn with a bachelor's in teacher education for multiple levels in 2026?
These teachers earn pay that depends on the grade level you end up teaching, your district, and your experience. The BLS reports a median wage of $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, which is a reasonable reference point for graduates who teach at the elementary level.
Can I earn a bachelor's in teacher education for multiple levels online?
You can earn some of a bachelor's in teacher education, multiple levels online, but the required student teaching must be done in person in real classrooms. Hybrid programs that combine online classes with local placements are the most realistic option in this field.
Is a bachelor's in teacher education for multiple levels worth it?
A multi-level teaching degree is worth it if you want a broader grade range, which can make you eligible for more teaching positions, an advantage in a tight job market. If your interests point clearly to one grade band, a single-level program may fit better, so it is worth matching the degree to your goals.
Answers draw on IPEDS, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, and each state's department of education.
Data sources for our Bachelor's in Teacher Education, Multiple Levels ranking
- Program counts, tuition, graduation and admission rates: IPEDS, US Department of Education.
- Wages and employment outlook: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
- Program accreditation: CAEP; state licensure requirements from each state's department of education.
- Program descriptions: each school's official catalog and program pages.