Online Teaching: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Online Teaching programs equip learners with the advanced knowledge and practical skills needed to design, deliver, and evaluate effective educational experiences in digital environments. This interdisciplinary field focuses on leveraging technology to support diverse learners across K–12, higher education, and professional development contexts.
- Andragogy: The theory and practice of adult learning, emphasizing self-directedness, experiential knowledge, and learner autonomy in online settings.
- Pedagogy: The methods and strategies for teaching younger learners, adapted for virtual classrooms with a focus on engagement, scaffolding, and developmental appropriateness.
- Assessment: The design and implementation of formative and summative evaluation techniques tailored to online learning environments, including digital rubrics, quizzes, and performance-based tasks.
- Instructional Design and Technology: The systematic process of creating interactive, accessible, and effective online learning materials using platforms like LMS, multimedia tools, and adaptive learning systems.
- Learning Science: Research-informed principles from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and educational data analysis that guide evidence-based decisions in online course development and delivery.
Online Teaching Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Online Teaching Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Online Teaching degrees, including Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Teachers and Instructors, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 3,730,370 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other 25-1199 | $78,490 | $39,720 - $172,850 | 151,530 | N/A |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other 25-3099 | $64,690 | $33,280 - $116,690 | 125,010 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2021 | $62,340 | $46,440 - $102,010 | 1,393,310 | N/A |
| Self-Enrichment Teachers 25-3021 | $45,590 | $28,980 - $90,780 | 308,520 | $21.92 |
Online Teaching Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $52,093 in Arkansas to $88,611 in California—a 70% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Rhode Island, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,730,370 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Online Teaching by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 14 institutions offering Online Teaching programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Online Teaching is found at University of Rochester (24 graduates), Wilkes University (22 graduates), Towson University (TU) (17 graduates), American College of Education (ACE) (16 graduates), and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) (9 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 115 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Rochester |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
24 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Wilkes University |
Master's
|
22 | Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania | Private | wilkes.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
17 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| American College of Education (ACE) |
Postbac Cert.
|
16 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | ace.edu |
| Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
| Lebanon Valley College (LVC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Annville, Pennsylvania | Private | lvc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Whitewater, Wisconsin | Public | uww.edu |
| The Chicago School (TCSPP) |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Los Angeles, California | Private | thechicagoschool.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Master's
|
1 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Online Teaching programs
How much can I earn with a Online Teaching degree?
Salaries for Online Teaching graduates vary by role and location. Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn a median of $78,490 annually, while Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $72,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $88,611 compared to $52,093 in Arkansas. Approximately 3,730,370 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Online Teaching programs?
Currently 14 accredited institutions offer Online Teaching degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Rochester (24 graduates), Wilkes University (22 graduates), and Towson University (TU) (17 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Online Teaching degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, and Teachers and Instructors, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 3,730,370 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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