Best institutions to study 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.
1,131 U.S. institutions graduated 42,176 Elementary Education and Teaching students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1202, a specialization of Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.12), and leads most directly to the Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education occupation (BLS SOC 25-2021).
About Elementary Education and Teaching programs
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: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Elementary Education and Teaching program prepares individuals to teach students in elementary grades, typically from kindergarten through grade eight. This program is designed for those who are passionate about shaping young minds and fostering a love for learning in a classroom setting. Students will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively educate children across various subjects.
Participants in this program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework will cover knowledge areas including English language, mathematics, and educational psychology, equipping future teachers with the tools needed to adapt their teaching methods to meet diverse student needs.
Credentials awarded
What Elementary Education and Teaching graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree29,486 graduates / yr · 889 institutions70%
- Master's degree9,610 graduates / yr · 313 institutions23%
- Associate's degree1,932 graduates / yr · 168 institutions4.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate481 graduates / yr · 51 institutions1.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year257 graduates / yr · 19 institutions0.6%
- Post-master's certificate187 graduates / yr · 18 institutions0.4%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years123 graduates / yr · 12 institutions0.3%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years32 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice31 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship24 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.1%
- Doctor's degree - other13 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Elementary Education and Teaching completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 58,065 |
| 2013 | 51,985 |
| 2014 | 45,466 |
| 2015 | 40,926 |
| 2016 | 38,944 |
| 2017 | 38,857 |
| 2018 | 38,280 |
| 2019 | 39,239 |
| 2020 | 40,023 |
| 2021 | 42,463 |
| 2022 | 42,205 |
| 2023 | 41,215 |
| 2024 | 41,754 |
| 2025 | 42,176 |
Top 50 institutions for Elementary Education and Teaching, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 3,028 | 46% | $11,580 | — |
| 2 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 1,491 | 43% | $21,535 | $40,682 |
| 3 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sMaster's | 623 | 65% | $28,911 | $31,136 |
| 4 | University of West Georgia Carrollton, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 407 | 43% | — | $41,744 |
| 5 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 394 | 50% | $11,672 | $35,470 |
| 6 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 389 | 21% | $15,478 | $41,281 |
| 7 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 369 | 68% | — | $47,331 |
| 8 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 321 | 68% | — | $42,790 |
| 9 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 315 | 78% | — | $46,646 |
| 10 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 314 | 51% | — | $49,475 |
| 11 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 293 | 61% | — | $45,032 |
| 12 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor's | 278 | 65% | — | $44,898 |
| 13 | Alder Graduate School of Education Redwood City, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 266 | — | — | — |
| 14 | University of West Alabama Livingston, ALPublicMaster'sMaster's | 253 | 35% | — | — |
| 15 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 244 | 71% | — | $44,320 |
| 16 | University of the People Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 243 | 34% | — | — |
| 17 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 237 | 52% | — | $46,077 |
| 18 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 234 | 55% | — | $40,641 |
| 19 | Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 230 | 41% | — | $38,973 |
| 20 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicBachelor's | 224 | 51% | — | $43,764 |
| 21 | SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 221 | 45% | — | $36,487 |
| 22 | University of Massachusetts Global Aliso Viejo, CAPublicMaster's | 220 | 43% | — | $36,788 |
| 23 | Niagara University Niagara University, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 213 | 75% | $17,048 | — |
| 24 | State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 213 | 68% | — | $37,979 |
| 25 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 194 | 81% | — | $48,587 |
| 26 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 181 | 67% | — | $37,945 |
| 27 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor's | 173 | 75% | — | $45,512 |
| 28 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicBachelor's | 172 | 49% | — | $38,766 |
| 29 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 171 | — | — | $36,427 |
| 30 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 168 | 58% | — | $42,440 |
| 31 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 167 | 60% | — | $46,998 |
| 32 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 163 | 80% | — | — |
| 33 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 159 | 62% | — | $41,821 |
| 34 | University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GAPublicBachelor's | 159 | 37% | — | $46,099 |
| 35 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 156 | 58% | — | $34,255 |
| 36 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 153 | 53% | — | $37,414 |
| 37 | State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 152 | 72% | — | $28,929 |
| 38 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 151 | 56% | — | $37,288 |
| 39 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor's | 151 | 65% | — | — |
| 40 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 149 | 75% | — | $41,144 |
| 41 | National Louis University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 148 | 30% | $18,904 | $40,484 |
| 42 | Central Washington University Ellensburg, WAPublicBachelor's | 145 | 54% | — | $47,359 |
| 43 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicBachelor's | 144 | 45% | — | $49,497 |
| 44 | University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MOPublicPost-degree cert.Bachelor'sMaster's | 143 | 57% | — | $35,731 |
| 45 | Mercer University Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 142 | 70% | $22,641 | $39,715 |
| 46 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MOPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 142 | 54% | — | $34,392 |
| 47 | Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DEPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 139 | 22% | — | $25,289 |
| 48 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 138 | 63% | — | $42,690 |
| 49 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 136 | 55% | $6,760 | $41,342 |
| 50 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 136 | 70% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field (CIP 13.12) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 57 states & territories
Where Elementary Education and Teaching graduates come from. Each state links to all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-2021, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Elementary Education and Teaching program primarily pursue careers as Elementary School Teachers, with an annual job opening of approximately 91,000 positions. The median wage for this occupation is $62,340, and a Bachelor's degree is typically required. However, the job outlook indicates a decline of 2% in this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1202
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educationprimary SOC 25-2021 | $63,970 | -2.0% Decline | ~91,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Education Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1081 | $75,350 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Elementary Education and Teaching programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students.
- Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or with special academic interests.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Tools and technology used
Other Teacher Education and Professional Development specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.12).
- Early Childhood Education and TeachingCIP 13.121033,622 graduates / yr910 institutions
- Secondary Education and TeachingCIP 13.120510,339 graduates / yr530 institutions
- Teacher EducationCIP 13.12069,066 graduates / yr279 institutions
- Teacher Education and Professional DevelopmentCIP 13.12996,107 graduates / yr191 institutions
- Junior High/CIP 13.1203
Intermediate/ Middle School Education and Teaching 2,728 graduates / yr273 institutions - Kindergarten/CIP 13.1209
Preschool Education and Teaching 1,689 graduates / yr113 institutions - Adult and Continuing Education and TeachingCIP 13.1201942 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational MethodsCIP 13.1213398 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Montessori Teacher EducationCIP 13.1207282 graduates / yr16 institutions
- College/CIP 13.1214
Postsecondary/ University Teaching 95 graduates / yr16 institutions - Online Educator/CIP 13.1211
Online Teaching 59 graduates / yr17 institutions - International Teaching and LearningCIP 13.1212limited data34 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Waldorf/
Steiner Teacher Education13.1208
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs →
Common questions
What degree do I need to teach elementary education?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required to teach in elementary education.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
Are there job opportunities after graduation?+
Yes, there are approximately 91,000 annual job openings for elementary school teachers.
What is the job outlook for elementary teachers?+
The job outlook for elementary teachers is projected to decline by 2%.
What is the CIP code for Elementary Education and Teaching?+
Elementary Education and Teaching is CIP 13.1202 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.12). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Elementary Education and Teaching programs?+
1,131 U.S. institutions reported Elementary Education and Teaching graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 57 states & territories, awarding 42,176 credentials in the year. That is 39.2% of all Teacher Education and Professional Development graduates.
How much do Elementary Education and Teaching graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education occupation, which Elementary Education and Teaching most directly leads to, pays a median of $63,970 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field report median earnings of $41,955 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card