In a lot of cases, a higher education can mean a higher salary or even a better job. That's why we found out the best colleges for education paraprofessionals. We based this list on these metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of students working, ratio of working vs. non-working students 10 years after admission, average cost of attendance and median debt for graduates.
Best Colleges And Majors For Education Paraprofessionals
Best Colleges For Education Paraprofessionals
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-State Tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
3. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-State Tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
6. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-State Tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
7. SUNY at Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$10,011
Enrollment
13,434
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
10. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
Education Paraprofessional Education Requirements
The education needed to be an education paraprofessional is normally a bachelor's degree. Education paraprofessionals usually study psychology, business or elementary education. 59% of education paraprofessionals hold a bachelor's degree and 20% hold a associate degree. We found these by analyzing 10,825 education paraprofessional resumes to investigate the topic of education paraprofessional education more precisely.
The most common colleges for students to pursue their goal of becoming an education paraprofessional are University of Phoenix and Ashford University. We also broke down what colleges provide the best overall education for an education paraprofessional. Students have a great path to earning their education paraprofessional qualifications at the following schools:
- Northwestern University
- SUNY at Binghamton
- New York University
If you're interested in getting a college degree in an affordable college for education paraprofessionals - Baruch College of the City University of New York is an excellent option for you. If your SAT or ACT score aren't as high as you'd like, you can look at D'Youville College, as the admission requirements aren't too selective. On the other end of that spectrum are the Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University and New York University.
For those who would rather stay in your pajamas during the day, we prepared some online courses that can help in education paraprofessional education paths.
We prepared a list of an education paraprofessional certifications that you should consider. The necessary certifications that education paraprofessionals must have to succeed are Medical Assistant and Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE).
What Education Do You Need To Become an Education Paraprofessional?
What degree do you need to be an Education Paraprofessional?
The most common degree for education paraprofessionals is bachelor's degree 59% of education paraprofessionals earn that degree. A close second is associate degree with 20% and rounding it off is master's degree with 9%.
- Bachelors, 59%
- Associate, 20%
- Masters, 9%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What Should I Major in to Become an Education Paraprofessional?
Most education paraprofessionals, 14% to be exact, major in psychology. Some other common majors for an education paraprofessional include business and elementary education majors.
- Psychology, 14%
- Business, 10%
- Elementary Education, 10%
- Education, 7%
- Other Majors, 59%
Most Common Colleges For Education Paraprofessionals
Here are the most common colleges for an education paraprofessional career in the US based on their resumes. Advocates often get their degree in University of Phoenix, Ashford University, and Grand Canyon University .
| Education Paraprofessional Common College | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 15.85% |
| Ashford University | 7.86% |
| Grand Canyon University | 6.23% |
| Minnesota State University - Mankato | 6.10% |
| Southern Connecticut State University | 5.15% |
Best Majors For Education Paraprofessionals
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 14.2% |
| 2 | Business | 10.2% |
| 3 | Elementary Education | 9.6% |
| 4 | Education | 7.3% |
| 5 | Special Education | 6.3% |
20 Best Online Courses for Education Paraprofessionals
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1. Providing Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Special Education Services in School
Welcome to our the third course in the School Health specialization: Providing Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Special Education Services in School. In this course, you will learn about how social-emotional skills, mental health, and learning are related. We will focus on how schools can support social-emotional learning and promote mental health for all students. We will walk through the reasons that schools should promote student mental health. Next, we’ll review school wide activities to...
2. Music Education for Teachers
In the Music Education for Teachers specialization, you will explore ways of integrating popular music into your teaching. You'll begin by learning from two highly experienced teachers, Krystal Banfield, the Vice President of Educational Outreach for Berklee College of Music, and David Alexis a Berklee Professor and long-time instructor for the Berklee City Music Program. They will take you through their process of incorporating popular music, improvisation, arranging, and music technology into...
3. Educational Psychology & Special Education (Certificate)
Informational content for educators and parents to learn about teaching and understanding exceptional children...
4. Google Certified Educator - Level 1
Developing teaching and learning workflow with G Suite for Education!...
5. Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education
This course provides those involved in educating members of the health professions an asynchronous, interdisciplinary, and interactive way to obtain, expand, and improve their teaching skills. These skills can then be applied within their own professional context, with a variety of learners, extending across many stages. After completing this course, learners will: 1. Understand educational theory as it relates to health professions education 2. Match instructional methods with desired...
6. Educating Deaf Children: Becoming an Empowered Teacher
Many Deaf children around the world still leave school functionally illiterate. In some cases there is no allowance made for education of Deaf children at all. This 4 week course provides you with invaluable knowledge and skills about teaching Deaf children. You will learn about the importance of Deaf culture and community, the need for a language rich environment for the Deaf child from as young as possible, and that having access to sign language can help Deaf children academically,...
7. Seth Godin on learning and education
Build the future of community, culture and possibility...
8. Google Certified Educator Level 1 Technical Training
Google Apps for Education...
9. Blended Learning: Personalizing Education for Students
Plenty of buzz exists about blended learning and its transformational potential. But what does blended learning really mean? In this course we will explore the different models of blended learning and dive into key issues that impact students, teachers, and schools. Specifically, we will look at these issues through the lens of three high-performing schools that each use a different type of blended learning. A few of the key topics will include: - The role of the student and how to support...
10. Severe to Profound Intellectual Disability: Circles of Care and Education
This course is about caring for and educating children (and youth) with severe to profound intellectual disability. We use the idea of 'circles' to position the child at the center of the many levels of support needed. Around the child are circles of care and education - such as the parents, family, friends, caregivers, educators, health care workers and others such as neighbors, business owners and community members. Each one has an important role to play in the life of a person with an...
11. Instructional Design for Learning and Development
Develop your skills to become an Instructional Designer and create engaging online courses...
12. TESOL Teacher Training: Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
Putting Theory Into Practice in the ESL/EFL Classroom...
13. Critical Issues in Urban Education
Urban school reform in the United States is characterized by contentious, politicized debate. This course explores a set of critical issues in the education and educational reform space, with a focus on aspects of the field that have sparked controversy and polarized views. We will dig into these debates, situating them within the larger history of public education and school reform, and considering the viewpoints, the evidence, and translation of issues into educational policy. We will...
14. Online Learning Design for Educators
This specialization is for educators seeking to improve and expand their repertoire of online teaching skills related to the design, development and delivery of effective and engaging online courses and lessons for school age and adult learners.\n\nLearning in the 21st century no longer takes place exclusively between the four walls of a physical classroom. With advances in technology, learners now expect to be offered flexible study modes outside of the traditional face-to-face model. This...
15. The Place of Music in 21st Century Education
What do children need from education now, and in the future? How is technology best used in teaching and learning? How can innovative approaches to education be reconciled with established, traditional ones? What does student-centred learning really mean? This five module course is not just for classroom or ensemble music educators. It’s suitable for anyone interested in creativity-infused education, in contemporary education issues, and in the integration and use of digital technology. It’s...
16. Disability Inclusion in Education: Building Systems of Support
Worldwide millions of children are not able to fully participate in schooling, and this is especially a problem for children with disabilities. In this course, we explore the support that teachers need in order to meet the needs of children with severe to profound hearing, visual and intellectual disabilities. We consider how this can be done by talking with a range of experts (from teachers to activists) about inclusive education as well as sharing experiences of education. Inclusive education...
17. Assessment in Higher Education: Professional Development for Teachers
Are you a teacher in higher education wanting to get the best out of your students and assessments? Then on behalf of Risbo, Erasmus University Rotterdam, we would like to welcome you to this MOOC on Assessment in Higher Education. In this MOOC we will guide you through the different phases of preparing, creating and evaluating the assessments in your course. After participating in this MOOC, you will be able to: 1. Design an assessment that is constructively aligned (content, level, methods)...
18. Queering the Schoolhouse: LGBTQ+ Inclusion for Educators
In this course, you will learn about the history of LGBTQ+ issues in education and develop strategies for building more inclusive learning environments for students, teachers, and community members. This course will provide you with insights and equip you with strategies for exploring inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning learners in your specific professional context. Throughout the videos, reading assignments, and additional resources we’ve provided,...
19. Ubiquitous Learning and Instructional Technologies
This course will analyze currently available technologies for learning. Areas addressed include: learning management systems, intelligent tutors, computer adaptive testing, gamification, simulations, learning in and through social media and peer interaction, universal design for learning, differentiated instruction systems, big data and learning analytics, attention monitoring, and affect-aware systems. Participants will explore the processes for selection and implementation of suitable...
20. Aboriginal Worldviews and Education
Intended for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal learners, this course will explore indigenous ways of knowing and how they can benefit all students. Topics include historical, social, and political issues in Aboriginal education; terminology; cultural, spiritual and philosophical themes in Aboriginal worldviews; and how Aboriginal worldviews can inform professional programs and practices, including but not limited to the field of education...
Top 10 Affordable Universities For Education Paraprofessionals
If those top 10 were a bit out of your price range, you might want to check these schools instead. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price and mean earnings after 6 years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for education paraprofessionals.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,262
Cost of Attendance
14,046
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,798
Cost of Attendance
18,306
3. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,182
Cost of Attendance
13,998
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,942
Cost of Attendance
14,469
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,240
Cost of Attendance
13,991
6. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,410
Cost of Attendance
20,456
7. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,381
Cost of Attendance
21,034
8. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,309
Cost of Attendance
16,714
9. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,620
Cost of Attendance
18,136
10. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,556
Cost of Attendance
19,434
Top 10 Hardest Universities To Get Into For Education Paraprofessionals
Some people like a challenge. Well, we challenge you to get into one of these schools. It's not going to be easy. We know this based on these institutions' admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted and mean earnings of students 6 years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,508
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions Rate
11%
SAT Average
1,513
3. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
20%
SAT Average
1,419
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
4%
SAT Average
1,497
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions Rate
22%
SAT Average
1,420
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
13%
SAT Average
1,445
7. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions Rate
10%
SAT Average
1,514
8. Fordham University
Bronx, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
46%
SAT Average
1,354
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
40%
SAT Average
1,376
10. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions Rate
42%
SAT Average
1,380
Top 10 Easier To Apply Universities For Education Paraprofessionals
Why make getting a job harder on yourself than it has to be? With these colleges, you're sure to be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores and average salary of students 6 years after graduation in order to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
100%
SAT Average
1,072
2. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions Rate
95%
SAT Average
980
3. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
92%
SAT Average
1,031
4. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions Rate
98%
SAT Average
1,003
5. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
84%
SAT Average
1,031
6. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
70%
SAT Average
849
7. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions Rate
93%
SAT Average
1,026
8. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions Rate
91%
SAT Average
1,006
9. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions Rate
81%
SAT Average
999
10. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
98%
SAT Average
999
Average Education Paraprofessional Salary by Education Level
Education paraprofessionals with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $36,287 annually. With a Masters degree, education paraprofessionals earn a median annual income of $35,684.
| Education Paraprofessional Education Level | Education Paraprofessional Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $32,531 |
| Master's Degree | $35,684 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $33,549 |
| Doctorate Degree | $36,287 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $32,846 |