The best affordable online teaching degrees offer low tuition, align with your state's licensure requirements, and provide meaningful classroom prep. We ranked affordable programs that don't compromise on quality. To decide which program is right for you, consider your experience, budget, and certification goals.
If you have prior credits, Empire State University's program — which accepts up to 93 transfer credits — might be a strong option. If you're interested in specialized training, Oregon State University offers a trauma-informed education focus. Read on to learn more about top programs that keep costs low and how to choose the best fit for you.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Affordable Online Teaching Degrees
Price Check
Accelerated degree-seekers can save money by exploring the best online teaching degree programs that charge per-term rather than per-credit tuition.
How to Choose an Affordable Online Teaching Degree
Consider cost and return-on-investment (ROI), licensing and certification, and learning format when choosing an online teaching degree.
Cost vs. Value
While cost is important, there are other factors that determine the true affordability of a degree. While the average cost per credit of the programs on this list is lower than average, you should also take into account factors like ROI, financial aid you'll qualify for, and transferable credits you're eligible to bring in to determine the true cost of your degree. Here's how the programs on our list measure up to the average for all undergraduate degrees:
$311
Average In-State Per-Credit Cost for Programs on Our List
$362
Average Out-of-State Per-Credit Cost for Programs on Our List
$489
Average Per-Credit Cost for All Undergraduate Programs (2022-23)
Source: NCES
Teaching Licensing and Certification Requirements
State licensure requirements for teachers differ by state. You can still choose a program outside of your state, but it requires careful planning to ensure it meets your state's licensure eligibility. For example, your program must be regionally accredited, and you need to verify that your program is authorized to operate in your state through reciprocity.
Regardless of your state, teachers must:
Complete a state-approved teacher-preparation program
Complete student teaching
Pass one or more exams, such as the Praxis
Transfer Credits
Transferable credits for coursework or experience can help lower tuition costs and accelerate your time to graduation. The best online colleges offer transparent transfer policies to ensure you can maximize prior credits to save money and time while completing your bachelor's degree.
Format and Flexibility
Most online degrees feature a variety of learning formats, including asynchronous (self-paced), synchronous (real-time), or hybrid courses, which combine in-person and online options. Online colleges tend to offer highly flexible teaching degrees, enabling you to choose the most convenient method of meeting both your coursework and field experience requirements.
Ways to Save on a Teaching Degree
Although the best online teaching degrees charge relatively affordable tuition rates, you can further reduce your cost of attendance (COA) in other ways.
1. Explore Aid Exclusive to Education Majors
Financial aid for education majors includes private scholarships and grants. Eligibility requirements may include:
Specializing in elementary education
Membership in an honors society
Preparing to teach a STEM subject
2. Submit the FAFSA Annually
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) annually may qualify you for federal grants and low-interest loans. Federal loans charge much lower interest rates than private student loans.
3. Start Your Education at a Community College
Community colleges feature a lower COA than public and private four-year colleges. You can earn an associate-for-transfer degree and then apply to bachelor's-completion programs.
Career Outlook for Education Majors
Cost alone does not always translate to true value for those considering majoring in education. The ROI of an online degree is a better metric for helping you determine if your program can meet your career goals in the long term. The chart below highlights some of the most common occupations and salaries of graduates of an online teaching degree.
| Job | Annual Median Wage (May 2024) |
|---|---|
| High School Teacher | $64,580 |
| Middle School Teacher | $62,970 |
| Special Education Teacher | $64,270 |
| Postsecondary Teacher | $83,980 |
| Elementary, Middle, or High School Principal | $104,070 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Teaching Degrees
While the actual cost of tuition varies by student, Southwest Minnesota State University's online teaching programs ranked most affordable on our list for in- and out-of-state students at $5,414.72 per semester.
