2023 Most Affordable Online Education Degrees

North Seattle College (North) is a public university in Seattle, Washington that has a medium-sized undergraduate student population. They offer a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education, which requires students to complete 180 credit hours. The degree's curriculum is designed to prepare students to pursue a career in early childhood education, with core courses that include Curriculum Development; Child Development; Health, Safety, and Nutrition; and English Composition. Graduates of the program may go on to enter careers as childcare workers, education administrators, preschool teachers, and teacher’s assistants.

At North, students can take advantage of virtual resources, including enrollment and financial aid assistance, advising, and tutoring services.

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) is a medium-sized, public university that offers two education degrees online: (1) a Bachelor of Science in Birth-Kindergarten Education and (2) Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Applied Education Studies. The former degree prepares students to work with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, while the latter focuses on child and adolescent development. In both programs, students take some similar core courses, including Introduction to Education, Child Development and Cultural Dynamics, Differentiated Instruction for Today’s Learners, and more.

Online students can take advantage of UNCP's resources — like academic advising, library services, and tutoring services. They also have an Office of Online Learning dedicated to remote students.

Georgia Southwestern State University (GSU), a medium-sized, public university, offers a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. This online program is designed specifically for students who may already have a bachelor's or an associate degree from another college or university as well as paraprofessionals looking to advance their education or transition their career. The program takes place entirely online, and students are expected to complete four to five classes per semester. In order to graduate, students must also complete a student teaching assignment.

GSU's e-learning platforms — GeorgiaVIEW and GoVIEW — allow students to access syllabi, readings, multimedia files, assignments, online quizzes, communication, grades, and more. Online courses include Literature for Children, Strategies of Teaching Early Literacy, Probability and Statistics for Teachers, and Elementary Education Math Methods.

The University of the Cumberlands (Cumberlands) is a medium-sized, private university in Williamsburg, Kentucky. This school offers two different online bachelor’s degrees in education: (1) a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education and (2) a Bachelor of Science in Education. Both of Cumberlands' programs require 120 semester hours, and coursework includes classes like Child Development and Learning, Teaching Diverse Learners, Classroom Management and Positive Behavioral Supports, Working with Parents and Children of All Cultures, and Effective Teaching Practices.

Importantly, both of these degrees require student teaching hours, which must be completed in person. However, in terms of classes, the degree programs each feature a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous online coursework.

Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) is a public university with its main campus in Portales, New Mexico, and it hosts a medium-sized student population. ENMU offers a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education - Birth to Pre-K and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education Teaching Degree. As their names suggest, the former degree program focuses on early childhood education, while the latter focuses on elementary school education for learners in kindergarten and beyond. Those interested in early childhood education may also want to explore the school’s licensure track for this degree. Students with these degrees may go on to pursue careers as preschool and elementary school teachers and administrators.

ENMU uses programs, including Canvas and Mediasite to facilitate online classes. Coursework includes classes like Curriculum Development Through Play, Curriculum Development and Implementation, Technology in the Classroom, Intro to Special Education, and more.

A medium-sized, public university in Hays, Kansas — Fort Hays State University (FHSU) offers a Bachelor of General Studies - Education and a Bachelor of Science in Education. The first degree option requires 21 education hours as well as other general education requirements, like courses in mathematics and English. For the Bachelor of Science in Education, students can choose between four concentrations: (1) Early Childhood Unified, (2) Elementary Education K-6, (3) Elementary Education K-6 / Special Education, and (4) Secondary Education. For those looking to pursue further graduate studies in education, the school also offers graduate programs in elementary education and secondary education.

FHSU offers online courses through Blackboard and features resources for online students, including free online tutoring, career services, technical support, and even study-abroad trips.

Wichita State University (WSU) is a medium-sized, public university in Wichita, Kansas. They offer a Bachelor of Arts in Education - Early Childhood Unified/Elementary Education. This degree program is designed specifically for para educators looking to earn their bachelor’s degree, and applicants must already work as a para-educator in order to apply. The coursework allows students to balance current teaching responsibilities with their online classes, and it also enables them to gain field experience for work as a para-educator.

WSU uses Blackboard to administer online classes. Core classes include Engaging and Motivating the Learner, Content Literacy, Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners, Introduction to the Education Profession, and more.

Western Carolina University (WCU) is a medium-sized, public institution that offers a Bachelor of Science in Education - Birth-Kindergarten Education. This online program allows students to obtain a bachelor's degree in education, with a concentration in either Early Childhood or Professional Education. The degree also comes with North Carolina licensure, and it's specifically designed for students who already have an associate degree and want to complete a bachelor's in education.

Core courses at WCU include Health, Safety, and Nutrition; Literacy in Preschool and Kindergarten; Environments for Young Children; and Child Development. Additionally, WCU's online students are required to complete an in-person internship for at least two semesters.

Athens State University (Athens State) is a medium-sized, public university in Athens, Alabama. The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies. The degree doesn’t come with licensure for teaching in public schools, but it does prepare students for careers in related fields, including corporate training, nonprofits, and charter schools that don’t require licensure.

Students at Athens State may choose from nine concentration areas: (1) Career and Technical Education, (2) Collaborative Education, (3) Early Childhood Education, (4) Educational Technology, (5) Elementary Education, (6) English Language Learners, (7) Health, (8) Instructional Design, and (9) Physical Education.

A medium-sized, public university — Southern Utah University (SUU) offers a Bachelor of Science or Arts in Elementary Education. This degree program, which requires 120 to 123 credits, prepares students to pursue careers as elementary school teachers in Utah and beyond. The university also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, which has similar course offerings but requires 125 to 139 credits.

Courses include Principles of Curriculum and Instruction; Educational Psychology; Human Development Throughout the Lifespan; and Foundations in Early Childhood Education, Schools, Society, and Diversity. SUU students also have the option to minor in Special Education. They can attend at a full- or part-time pace and can finish the degree in as few as three years.