Prerequisites for an Online Education Degree
Prerequisites for online education bachelor’s degrees depend on the specialization, program and school that the student attends. General prerequisites include obtaining a high school diploma, scoring well on the SAT or ACT and having minimum GPA requirements. Once admitted to the program, students typically take courses to satisfy general education requirements such as writing, science, math, public speaking and electives.
Online Coursework
As students progress in their undergraduate program, courses become more specific and can include educational psychology, educational technology, teaching methods and internship opportunities.
Students earning an online teaching degree may also take courses such as:
- Introduction to learning spaces.
- Sociology of education.
- Curriculum leadership.
- Teaching as a career.
- Early field experience.
- Foundations of education.
How Long Does an Online Education Degree Take to Complete?
Online education bachelor’s degrees generally take 120 credits or so to complete, and usually take four years, which is similar to most other
online bachelor’s degree programs.
To be successful in these degree programs, students should have an interest in educational theory and a passion for helping others. Empathy and understanding are also key character traits of prospective education professionals, as well as an interest in diversity, equity and inclusion as they relate to education.
Cost and Return On Investment (ROI)
How Much Does an Online Education Degree Cost?
Tuition for an online education bachelor’s degree can cost between around $20,000 and $80,000. The
University of Central Florida offers an online education bachelor’s degree with tuition as low as $21,500, for example. These tuition ranges do not include any extra fees, books, food, housing or other miscellaneous costs, and do not factor in scholarships or awards. Students who are active duty status in the U.S. military often pay lower tuition costs per credit hour.
How to Estimate the Return on Investment (ROI) of Your Degree
Obtaining an online education bachelor’s degree has tangible financial benefits. To calculate the return on investment of a degree, experts use formulas that include an average of the annual salary you can earn with that degree and the total cost of the degree, including tuition and other expenses. Your personal ROI also depends on factors such as how long it takes you to earn your degree, what institution you earned the degree from and what your salary is upon graduation.
Those with a high school diploma can also pursue a career in education as a special education paraeducator or
teacher assistant, for example. However, you probably won't make near as much money. Across all industries, the average salary is 55% higher for bachelor's degree holders in comparison to those with only a high school diploma, according to the
National Center for Education Statistics.
Because educational expenses are a large part of your ROI, it's important to compare the cost of attending school in-person versus enrolling in an online program. For example, you can save around $60,000 in tuition costs by picking an online program over an on-campus program at Arizona State University or Kansas State University.
| School |
In-Person Tuition |
Online Program Tuition |
| University of Missouri–Columbia |
$40,296 for in-state tuition, $51,588 for out-of-state (including per-credit nonresident fee) |
Same as in-person tuition |
| Wilmington University |
Ranges between $49,080 and $49,898 |
Same as in-person tuition |
| Arizona State University |
$45,232 for in-state, $125,800 for out-of-state |
$67,560 for in-state and out-of-state |
| Texas Tech University |
$35,760 for in-state, $84,720 for out of state |
$48,000 for in-state and out-of-state |
| Kansas State University |
$39,854.40 for in-state, $107,352 for out-of-state at the Manhattan, KS, campus |
$47,250 for in- and out-of-state |
Typically, teachers and school counselors must obtain additional credentials and licenses, requirements for which vary by state, to work in these fields. But requirements can change over time: According to
Education Week, Florida, Arizona and other states have loosened their licensing provisions because of teacher shortages.
In addition, online education bachelor’s degrees set potential educators up to be successful in additional credentialing and
master’s in education programs by providing knowledge of the educational system and pedagogical methods.
Job Outlook and Salary
Pay for Online Bachelor's in Education Degree
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many of the jobs one can get with this degree will grow by 4% to 10%, depending on the specific job. Average pay varies by job, with secondary school teachers earning an average annual salary of $69,330 and principals earning upwards of $107,000.
Many of the jobs you can qualify for with a bachelor's in education make the
U.S. News’ list of 100 best jobs, including:
