Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Schools are assigned a value from 1-100, where 100 is best for students from households earning up to $30,000. This value is multiplied by the percentage of the school’s student body that received a Pell Grant, to calculate the economic mobility score. A higher score is better. Read the full explanation
The percentage of a school’s student body that has received a Pell Grant.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Looking for the best schools for education majors? We’ve got you covered. While a bachelor’s in education is certainly not among the degrees that lead to high earnings, it provides a pathway to a rewarding teaching career – a profession that continues to be in high demand in schools across the country. Here we rank the best schools that offer undergraduate degrees in education by value for money.
www.degreechoices.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Is an education degree worth it?
From an earnings perspective? Not quite. The average salary for education bachelor’s holders is $41,094 – about 20% less than the national average for all bachelor holders. That said, those who decide to pursue teaching and other educational roles usually have more altruistic, rather than financial, motivations for doing so.
Check out our comparison tool below to see how an education degree measures up to other degrees in terms of average salary and school cost.
Click on a degree card to reveal more information.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
-$9,994
PAYBACK
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
5.2
ECONOMIC SCORE
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Our list includes programs that are classified under “Teacher Education and Professional Employment,” or CIP code 13.12.
The CIP system of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the Department of Education’s entity for recording and analyzing data related to education, is the framework for classifying degree programs.
We recommend checking out all programs under CIP code 13.12 on the NCES website.
We evaluated 668 education bachelor’s programs to identify the best-value schools. To appear at the top of our list, schools should offer students a good return on investment – the right balance between the program’s net tuition cost and average earnings of degree holders.
For a closer look at how we crunched the numbers, head to our methodology page.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$1,428
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$38,975
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate49%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Chipola College is a small public school in Marianna, Florida known for its expressive arts programs in art, music, and theatre, with liberal arts and humanities among the most popular majors.
Chipola’s School of Education offers Bachelor of Science degrees in several teaching specializations. Beyond elementary, middle school, and secondary education, which focus on high-need areas like math, science, and biology, specializations include exceptional student education and English education.
The school also offers a curriculum that satisfies requirements for Alternative Certification.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$2,805
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$55,262
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate59%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
CUNY City College’s School of Education offers several education undergraduate degrees that train students in critical areas like bilingual and Spanish education, special education, and STEM education. Other degrees include educational leadership and educational theatre.
The school is unique in its focus on training students for success in urban schools, employing social justice principles and a diversity-conscious approach in its mission.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$3,469
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$57,988
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate60%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Queens College is another CUNY institution in New York that offers quality teaching degrees at lower-than-average prices.
Graduates of the School of Education’s Bachelor of Arts in Education, Elementary & Early Childhood (offered as a co-major of the liberal arts and sciences programs) are well-prepared to become certified teachers of grades 1-6 in the state of New York.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$3,067
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$47,501
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate59%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Most degrees focus on a specific teaching subject (such as foreign languages, mathematics, biology, or social studies) or childhood education. The latter degree has the option of a special education or bilingual education component, areas that are both in high demand in schools.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$3,302
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$42,024
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Among Cal State School of Education’s few undergraduate programs is the Urban Learning B.A., a teaching preparation program focused on training its students to be culturally competent teachers in urban elementary school or special education settings.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$5,298
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$48,259
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Florida International University is a large public research university in suburban Miami, Florida. Its College of Arts, Sciences & Education offers education undergraduate degrees in the following areas:
Early childhood education
Elementary education
Secondary education
Exceptional student education
Students of the secondary education bachelor’s program choose among a diverse set of subjects, ranging from political science to music, for their specialization.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$6,850
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$58,046
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate68%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Heritage University, a private university in Toppenish, Washington, provides education students with several undergraduate degrees to choose from.
Among its education undergraduate degree options are programs targeting elementary, middle, and secondary-level education, typically with an accompanying subject specialization, in addition to a few non-teaching certification pathways.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,182
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$56,926
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate61%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
SUNY College at Old Westbury is a medium-sized public university in New York with a strong liberal arts tradition. Its School of Education offers several undergraduate programs that lead to certification. These programs target the below areas:
Childhood education (with the option of a bilingual education component)
Special education (including a childhood education or bilingual education component)
Adolescence education (grades 7-12) for various subjects
Apart from striking a balance between quality education and affordability, the school is considerably more diverse than other institutions.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$13,499
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$63,372
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate57%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
St. Francis College is a large private college based in Brooklyn, New York. The student body is diverse, and a large percentage is first generation.
Its undergraduate education degrees prepare students for either childhood or adolescent education. All programs, apart from stressing general liberal education and pedagogy, focus on a concentration – whether in English, social science, STEM subjects, or others.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$5,135
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$41,007
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate89%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The University of Florida is a large public university in Gainesville, Florida, with most students coming from in-state. UIF College of Education’s undergraduate programs comprise Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Education degrees, and address the following areas:
Education sciences
Elementary education
Early childhood education
The school offers several minors, including a Disabilities in Society Minor. Students planning to teach in high schools would minor in Florida Teaching of UFTeach.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$4,026
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$38,590
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate67%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
California State University-Dominguez Hills is a large public university in Carson, California, with much of its student body (60%) being first generation and financially independent (48%). At the undergraduate level, CSUDH School of Education offers a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies.
The Liberal Studies BA program, both interdisciplinary in nature and a state-approved teacher preparation program, is well-suited for students planning to teach or pursue a graduate degree.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,346
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$45,537
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate76%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The University of South Florida, a large public university based in Tampa, Florida, offers low tuition for in-state and out-of-state students alike – some of the lowest rates in the country.
UIF’s College of Education, one of the first colleges built on the main Tampa campus, offers several undergraduate degree options. The degrees available target all educational levels, from early childhood to secondary school, and address specific subject concentrations.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$6,566
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$42,403
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate73%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
California State University-Stanislaus, or Stanislaus University, is a midsized public university in Turlock, California, with liberal arts and humanities among its most popular subjects.
Stanislaus University offers several bachelor’s programs for students interested in entering education professions. Relevant degrees include Liberal Studies, a pre-professional program for elementary education, and Teacher Education, a teacher preparation program with 3 credential pathways – multiple subject (MSCP), single subject (SSCP), and education specialist (ESCP).
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,618
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$45,627
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate77%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The University of Central Florida, a large public university located in suburban Orlando, Florida, is well known for its education program.
UCF's College of Community Innovation and Education offers an impressive number of bachelor's degrees in the field that correspond to distinct educational tracks and/or subject areas (for example, a Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education with a focus on world languages).
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,865
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$45,412
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate69%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The University of North Florida, a midsized public university in Jacksonville, Florida, is another good-value school for aspiring teachers and education professionals.
Its College of Education and Human Services continues to expand its undergraduate degrees in education to match the needs of the market. Apart from more traditional offerings, like Early Childhood Education, Middle School Education, and Special Education (the latter two are paired with subject specializations), the school offers unique degrees like Deaf Education and Learning Design and Technology.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$13,214
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$52,881
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate69%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The University of Illinois Chicago is a large public university located in the heart of Chicago, Illinois. UIC College of Education offers most of its education programs at the master’s and doctoral level. That said, undergraduate students can pursue a BA in Human Development & Learning or a BA in Urban Education- Elementary Education (the latter leads to teaching licensure).
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,735
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$48,520
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate63%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Florida Atlantic University is a large public university in Boca Raton, Florida, a wealthy city in Palm Beach County. FAU’s College of Education comprises several academic departments and a broad range of degrees.
Education students choose from 4 career paths (Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, and Early Care & Education) and can take advantage of FAU’s public laboratory schools, sites for hands-on training, research, and curriculum development.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$9,946
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$44,526
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate84%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Florida State University is a large public research university in Tallahassee, Florida – a selective but affordable institution with an excellent graduation rate of 81%.
Undergraduate degree programs in FSU’s College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences are diverse, ranging from athletic training to visual disabilities education. The teacher education programs among them enable students to become eligible for a state teaching certificate.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,187
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$46,680
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate51%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Southern Oregon University is a large public university in suburban Ashland, Oregon, where teacher education is the 3rd most popular degree after business administration and psychology. The school’s School of Education offers two undergraduate degrees:
Early Childhood Development (available both in person and 100% online)
Education Studies (available with an optional licensure track)
Notably, students in either program can choose between a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$30,234
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$68,150
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate67%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Iona University, formerly “Iona College,” is a midsized Roman Catholic private college in New Rochelle, New York. Iona’s Education Department offers several programs for education majors, most of which are available at the bachelor’s or master’s level. The programs cover areas like:
Education (Childhood Education, Childhood/Early Childhood Education, and Adolescent Education concentrations)
Biology and Adolescent Education
Chemistry and Adolescent Education
Mathematics and Adolescent Education
History and Adolescent Education
School faculty consists of knowledgeable professionals in the field, including teachers, principals, and superintendents.
Most education bachelor’s degrees are teacher preparation programs. So, as one would expect, the closest career fit for an education bachelor’s degree is teaching.
However, average earnings can vary across educational levels, so choose your specialization wisely.
These are just a few of the teaching jobs available to holders of education bachelor’s degrees, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Hiring schools typically receive online education degrees just as well as those earned at brick-and-mortar institutions (and, with the ongoing teacher shortages, they should!).
As long as the education degree program is accredited, how you got that degree, whether in-person or online, doesn’t matter much. In fact, bachelor’s degree aside, what’s most important to hiring teams is whether you are certified to teach.
If earning your education bachelor’s degree online sounds like a better fit for your schedule or wallet, check out the best-value online schools for education degrees:
What can you do with an education degree besides teaching?
While most education bachelor’s degrees are designed to prepare students for teaching professions, not every graduate wants to teach forever – or at all. Luckily, this degree type is a good jumping off point for several related careers paths in education.
(Take note that many related careers that we have not listed here require master’s degrees.)
Alternative career paths with an education degree besides teaching
Training and Development Specialists - Training and development is a quickly growing field, higher than the national average, and high in demand in several industries (often in corporate environments). Training and development specialists plan and administer programs that deepen employee skills and knowledge. In their day to day, they give presentations or lead training activities.
Training and Development Managers - Training and development managers, like training and development specialists, are responsible for training programs for employees, but in this case, they direct these programs. The role, which is much higher paid than a specialist role, requires 5 or more years of relevant work experience.
Human Resources Specialists - Human resource specialists recruit and interview new applicants for job openings at companies. A bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, communications, or a related degree – which education may fall under – is required for the profession.
Below are the average salaries for people with education degrees at each level.
Associate
Bachelor
Master
$29,157
$41,094
$53,027
www.degreechoices.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Propel your career from anywhere.
Take our quiz to find the online degree that’s best for you. Compare hundreds of schools and apply to your dream college today.
Click on a degree card to reveal more information.
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