Best Online Teaching Degrees 2026
If you have a passion for knowledge and a drive to help students, pursuing a major in education can be a practical career choice. An online teaching program gives you the skills to teach K-12 students, including lesson planning, classroom management, and educational technology. Many programs lead to state licensure, preparing you to get into the classroom as quickly as possible. Learn more about the best online teaching degrees, including our ranking of top programs.
Why Earn Your Teaching Degree Online
- Convenience: An online teaching degree doesn’t require you to travel to campus, and you can complete your classwork during the week when it is convenient for you.
- Geared toward working teachers: Many programs allow you to complete required practicum hours at your current school.
- More affordable: An online degree can help you save on education-related expenses such as transportation and childcare.
Top 5 Schools for Online Bachelor’s in Teaching Degrees
Campbellsville University — Best Support for Military and Veteran Students
- Campbellsville, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Campbellsville University stands out for its support for military and veteran students, including generous financial aid, priority admission, and one-on-one guidance. A dedicated military support team is available to help veterans and active service members succeed in their online teaching program.
Campbellsville offers six online bachelor's in teaching programs, including elementary education, early childhood education, and special education, for $440 per credit hour. CU's School of Education is CAEP-accredited, and teaching programs are approved by the Education Professional Standards Board of Kentucky.
What to Expect
- Complete 120-136 credits in four years full-time or in 5-6 years part-time, with up to 72 transfer credits.
- Earn dual licensure or certification in select programs and graduate with career-focused credentials.
- Learn within a faith-based curriculum that integrates Christian values.
- Receive military-related financial support, including GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon benefits.
How to Enroll
You can apply with an official high school transcript or GED and meet general admission standards, including a minimum 2.0 GPA.
37%
$26,490
60%
$26,490
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Students Enrolled
- 12,451
- Institution Type
- Private
Chadron State College — Most Affordable Tuition Rate
- Chadron, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Chadron State College offers an affordable tuition rate for its online teaching programs, at $325 per credit hour. CSC offers about 20 endorsement options to maximize your investment and expand your career potential.
CSC offers three teaching programs accredited by CAEP: elementary education, secondary education, and special education. Field endorsements within these programs include business (grades 6-12), English language arts (7-12), and family and consumer science (grades 6-12).
What to Expect
- Combine classroom theory with hands-on fieldwork and a full teacher internship.
- Receive guidance from admission through certification and endorsement steps.
- Take essential and professional courses plus one field or subject endorsement area.
How to Enroll
CSC has an open admission policy requiring high school or college transcripts. ACT or SAT scores are optional, but recommended to be considered for scholarships.
81%
$5,376
70%
$5,376
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 2,205
- Institution Type
- Public
Chaminade University of Honolulu — Lowest Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- Honolulu, HI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Chaminade University of Honolulu offers a tight-knit learning environment with a low student-to-faculty ratio of 11-to-1. The small class sizes increase the support for every student, including planning their degree and preparing for licensure.
Students can choose from five bachelor’s degrees in teaching at Chariminade, including early childhood, elementary, secondary, and special education. All five programs have AAQEP accreditation and prepare graduates for classroom teaching and licensure in Hawaii.
What to Expect
- Learn curriculum design, assessment, and classroom management.
- Complete student teaching and field experience for K-6 or 6-12 certification.
- Rooted in the Marianist tradition, emphasizing ethical leadership, cultural competence, and community engagement.
How to Enroll
Submit high school transcripts and meet the minimum 2.5 GPA requirement. Submitting ACT or SAT test scores, recommendation letters, a personal essay, and a resume is optional.
68%
$29,856
40%
$29,856
- Acceptance Rate
- 52%
- Students Enrolled
- 2,039
- Institution Type
- Private
Mayville State University — Most Generous Transfer Credit Policy
- Mayville, ND
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Mayville State University stands out for allowing up to 90 transfer credits, regardless of when they were earned. Mayville requires just 30 credits to finish a teaching degree, allowing full-time students to graduate in about a year.
Mayville offers six online teaching degree programs, including mathematics education, physical education, and early childhood education. Accredited by CAEP, these programs cost about $347 per credit hour.
What to Expect
- Expect mostly asynchronous (fully online) courses, with some synchronous (live) and in-person requirements.
- Curriculum blends theory, research, and hands-on practice, based on the Reflective Experiential Teacher (RET) model.
- Combines field experiences, student teaching, and portfolio assessments aligned with national teaching standards (InTASC).
How to Enroll
Submit high school transcripts with at least a 2.0 GPA and core courses in English, math, science, and social studies. ACT or SAT scores are optional, but can help with scholarships and placement. Admissions are rolling.
65%
$6,579
67%
$8,208
- Acceptance Rate
- 71%
- Students Enrolled
- 1,025
- Institution Type
- Public
National University — Largest Online Student Population
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
National University has the largest online student population on this list, with over 10,000 undergraduate students. Of these students, 75% are enrolled exclusively in online courses. Since 1971, it has grown to over 250,000 alumni and provides extensive student resources.
National offers six online bachelor’s degrees in teaching, including early childhood development and interdisciplinary studies. Three AAQEP-accredited programs lead to single-subject teaching credentials in social science, English, and liberal arts. The cost is $370 per credit hour.
What to Expect
- Complete 180 credits to graduate (transfer credit policy varies).
- Gain experience with student-teaching or internship opportunities in licensure-track programs.
- Focus on diverse learners, classroom environments, assessment, planning/design, professional/ethical practice, and reflective teaching.
How to Enroll
Apply for free with no essays or exams. Submit transcripts, meet with an advisor, complete the FAFSA, and start on one of National’s multiple start dates.
86%
$13,320
53%
$13,320
- Acceptance Rate
- 55%
- Students Enrolled
- 31,604
- Institution Type
- Private
Why Accreditation Matters for Teaching
Accreditation ensures that schools and programs meet high standards and prepare students for their careers. The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is the primary accrediting body for educator preparation programs.
CAEP accreditation ensures a program meets strict criteria, evaluated on curriculum, faculty, and resources. It’s possible that a degree program accredited by CAEP can add credibility to your resume. But, it’s not required for most teaching jobs.
How Do Online Teaching Programs Work?
Online teaching degrees allow you to earn a degree without visiting campus for classes. However, you’ll still need to complete some requirements in-person, like your student-teaching practicum. Some programs may also include occasional campus meetings where you’ll meet with faculty and complete in-person learning activities.
If you already work at a school, many programs allow you to complete your student teaching at your place of employment. Your program can also help connect you to other teaching opportunities in your own community. Some programs are specifically designed to serve working teachers and may require you to work at a K-12 school in order to apply.
The best online teaching programs should prepare you to earn a state-issued teaching credential. In some instances, you may be able to complete an online degree in one state to receive a teaching license in another. However, not all education licensing requirements transfer between all states, and you should always make sure your program meets state licensure standards.
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Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Special Education
An online special education program prepares you to work with students who experience behavior disorders, learning disabilities, and other challenges. In addition to general education requirements, you’ll take courses in effective learning environments, methods of inclusion, and instructional strategies for those with disabilities. You’ll also learn how to assess and determine a student’s eligibility for …
Is an Online Teaching Degree Worth It?
$43,570
Average starting salary for education majors
-1%
Projected job growth for K-12 teachers (2023-33)
Most teachers enter the field to serve students rather than to earn a large paycheck. Starting salaries for education majors aren’t quite as high as those in career fields like business administration or information technology. However, with more experience, teachers can see their earnings grow. According to Payscale data from February 2025, midcareer teachers earn an average annual salary of around $54,000, while late-career teachers make around $69,000.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs for K-12 teachers to grow slower than average from 2023-2033, largely due to declining birth rates. However, school districts will always need to hire teachers, and earning one of the best online teaching degrees can make you more competitive for jobs. Attending grad school for a master’s in teaching or educational administration can also help you increase your job prospects in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll need a high school diploma or GED to apply to any online bachelor’s in teaching program. Some schools also require a specific GPA and your SAT or ACT scores. More selective programs may ask for a personal statement and letters of recommendation from teachers or supervisors
