by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,132 U.S. colleges awarded 42,620 degrees and certificates in Elementary Education. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 70% of graduates. College Factual ranks 707 schools in its 2027 Best Elementary Education Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $44,824 one year after completing, rising to $51,285 after four years.
A degree in Elementary Education explores Elementary Education And Teaching. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Teach Students In The Elementary Grades, Which May Include Kindergarten Through Grade Eight, Depending On The School System Or State Regulations. Includes Preparation To Teach All Elementary Education Subject Matter.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., elementary education draws strong interest, with 42,620 degrees awarded annually. 1,132 colleges award elementary education degrees, an average of 38 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 3,028.
By level, the 42,620 awards include 155 certificates, 1,932 associate degrees, 29,888 bachelor’s degrees, 10,590 master’s degrees and 55 doctorates.
Women earned 92% of elementary education degrees and certificates in the latest year (39,074 of 42,620). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (29,164) and Hispanic or Latino (5,627), and international students earned 588.
College Factual ranks 707 schools in its 2027 Best Elementary Education Schools ranking, including 83 for associate degrees, 588 for bachelor’s degrees, 215 for master’s degrees and 10 for doctorates. It also ranks elementary education schools within 52 states. In all, 1,132 colleges offer elementary education programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Elementary Education Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common elementary education credential is the bachelor’s degree: 29,888 of the 42,620 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to elementary education call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Instructing, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Psychology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Speech Clarity and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long an elementary education degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 155 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,932 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 29,888 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 10,590 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 55 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to elementary education, at 84.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 84.9% |
| Master’s degree | 10.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Elementary Education, with an average median salary of $86,848; the strongest outlook belongs to Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, at 4.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Educator, Music Education Professor, Education Adjunct Professor and Education Instructor.
The occupation related to elementary education with the most projected jobs is Education Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,441,246.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 84,106 | 4.9% |
Elementary Education graduates earn a median $44,824 one year after completing their program, $51,285 after four years and $48,771 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,824 |
| 4 years | $51,285 |
| 5 years | $48,771 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to elementary education, with a median salary of $98,329.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $75,366 |
Elementary Education has 12 similar majors in the Education field, which together award 66,204 degrees a year; the largest are Early Childhood Education and Teaching (33,737), Secondary Education and Teaching (10,793) and Teacher Education, Multiple Levels (9,261). Browse all Education majors or the full list of college majors.
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