By TED Staff
July 2020
Education is changing fast and the future is uncertain but the need for individuals to take charge of education and lead the way into the future is certain. For such individuals, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration is practically a must. Fortunately, colleges and universities located all over the country offer these programs entirely online and at an affordable cost. That’s why Top Education Degrees went on the hunt for the cheapest online programs in Educational Leadership and Administration. We searched dozens of programs, ranking them by the estimated total cost one would need to pay to obtain the full degree.
#15. George Washington University
MA in Educational Leadership and Administration Online
Washington, DC
Estimated Program Cost: $31,500
Website
George Washington University’s online master of arts in educational leadership and administration is recognized as a program of distinction by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The 30-unit program charges an online, hourly tuition rate of $1,050 for each credit hour. The program is looking for applicants with:
- a statement of purpose
- two letters of recommendation
- a current resume or CV.
#14. Boston University
Online EdM in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Boston, Massachusetts
Estimated Program Cost: $28,416
Website
At 32 credits, the online Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Boston University can be completed in as little as 1-2 years. Admissions requirements for the Wheelock College of Education and Human Development include:
- a statement of qualifications and objectives
- a current resume or CV
- two letters of recommendation
Tuition for the online MEd in educational leadership and policy studies is $888 per credit.
#13. Penn State University
MEd in Educational Leadership Online
University Park, Pennsylvania
Estimated Program Cost: $27,720
Website
Scoring #7 on the US News and World Report ranking of top online education programs, Pennsylvania State University’s online Master of Education in Educational Leadership offers two tracks: teacher leader and school leader. If you teach in the Keystone State, this program is Act 48 approved. Tuition for the 30-credit online master of education in educational leadership is $924 per hour. The program requires three references:
- an official transcript
- a resume
- a scholarly writing sample.
#12. University of Florida
Online MEd in Educational Leadership
Gainesville, Florida
Estimated Program Cost: $26,424
Website
An impressive #1 on US News and World Report‘s ranking of top online education programs, The University of Florida’s online master of education in educational leadership is constructed for working educators. Hourly tuition for the online master of education in educational leadership is $734. This 36 unit program can be completed within two years. This program asks for a GPA of at least 3.0 over the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework and an “acceptable” GRE score.
#11. University of Kansas
Online MSE in Educational Administration
Lawrence, Kansas
Estimated Program Cost: $21,420
Website
University of Kansas offers an online Master’s in Educational Administration. The 36-credit degree program offers two tracks: one includes the State of Kansas Building Leadership licensure, and the other without licensure. $595 is the hourly tuition rate for the online Master’s in Educational Administration at the University of Kansas, regardless of residency.
#10. Saint Leo University
Master of Education in Educational Leadership Online
Saint Leo, Florida
Estimated Tuition Cost: $18,360
Website
The online master of education in educational leadership at Saint Leo University bestows eligibility for the Level 1 Education Leadership certificate in the state of Florida on qualified candidates. The 36 credit hour program involves a practicum and coursework in school operations. The school charges an online hourly tuition of $510 for the online MEd in Educational Leadership. The application process for Saint Leo University involves 250-word statement on your education and career goals.
#9. Louisiana State University
Online MEd in Educational Leadership
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Estimated Program Cost: $17,901
Website
Louisiana State University’s online Master of Education in Educational Leadership is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation. The 39-credit hour digital program can be completed in as few as 15 months. According to the website, “graduates of the online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (at Louisiana State University) have a 100% pass rate on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment.” $459 is the online hourly tuition rate for this inexpensive online MEd in educational leadership.
#8. Lehigh University
Online Master’s in Educational Leadership
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Estimated Program Cost: $16,950 (without licensure), $24,295 (with licensure)
Website
The online Master of Education in Educational Leadership at Lehigh University can be combined with Principal Certification from the Department of Education in the state of Pennsylvania or not. This is a 30-credit program without licensure, and 43 credits with licensure. The program charges a graduate tuition rate of $575 per unit. Applicants to the online master of education in educational leadership should have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better, and two letters of recommendation.
#7. Indiana University — Bloomington
Online MSEd in Educational Leadership
Bloomington, Indiana
Estimated Program Cost: $15,768 (Indiana residents), $18,936 (out of state)
Website
Coming in at #26 on the US News and World Report ranking of top online graduate education programs, the online Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership at Indiana University boasts a low out-of-state tuition rate of just $525.24 per credit. This 36-hour program tackles next-generation problems and prepares its students to lead. The university offers four start dates a year and a fully online application process. Application to the program requires submission of the online application.
#6. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
EdM in Learning Design and Leadership Online
Urbana, Illinois
Estimated Program Cost: $15,680
Website
The College of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign was awarded the #8 spot in the US News and World Report ranking of top online education programs. The school offers an online Master of Education in Learning Design and Leadership. Among the criteria for admission to this 32-credit program are:
- a personal statement
- a current resume or CV
- three letters of reference from professional contacts who can attest to your ability to perform at the graduate level
The tuition charge for this affordable online EdM in learning design and leadership is $490 per credit hour.
#5. Florida State University
Online MS in Educational Leadership
Tallahassee, Florida
Estimated Program Cost: $14,625 (Florida residents), $35,475 (out of state)
Website
Ranked #15 on the US News and World Report ranking of top online education programs, Florida State University features an online master of science in educational leadership that will certify you as a principal in the Sunshine State. The 33-credit hour degree is also offered without certification. Tuition for the online master of science in educational leadership at Florida State University is $444 per credit hour for Florida residents, and $1,075.66 per credit hour for out-of-state students. Applicants to this program should have an earned a bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
#4. University of Nebraska – Lincoln
MEd in Educational Administration Online
Lincoln, Nebraska
Estimated Program Cost: $12,852 (Nebraska residents), $27,000 (out of state)
Website
University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s online Master of Education in Educational Administration has a focus of P-12 school leadership. Nebraska residents pay just $357 per unit, while $750 is the out-of-state hourly tuition rate for this 36-unit program. Application to the program requires, among other things, three letters of recommendation and an up to date resume. No entrance exam (GRE or GMAT) is required.
#3. University of Iowa
MA in Educational Leadership (w/ Principal Licensure
Iowa City, Iowa
Estimated Tuition Cost: $12,108 (Iowa residents), $45,054 (out of state)
Website
University of Iowa offers three start dates per year for its Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership (with principal licensure). The MA program includes coursework in the appraisal of student curriculum and the legal aspect of school personnel, among other things. Twelve of the 36 required credit hours to complete the MA in Educational Leadership are clinical work.
#2. University of Central Florida
Online MA in Educational Leadership
Orlando, Florida
Estimated Program Cost: $9,840 (Florida residents), $34,560 (out of state)
Website
The online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership offered by the University of Central Florida charges an hourly tuition rate of $327.32 for Florida residents. The 30-credit program uses the Interstate School Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) standards to shape the curriculum. This program is intended to train students for positions that do not require certification. Admission to the graduate school at the University of Central Florida requires a GPA of 3.0 over the last 60 attempted credit hours of undergraduate or an earned master’s degree.
#1. West Texas A&M University
Online MEd in Educational Leadership
Canyon, Texas
Estimated Program Cost: $9,038 (Texas residents), $10,670 (out-of-state students who maintain GPA of 3.0 or above)
Website
West Texas A&M University features an online Master of Education in Educational Leadership that offers Texas principal and superintendent certification options. Tuition for the program varies, with different affordable rates for Texas residents, out-of-state residents, and students whose GPAs drop below 3.0. This degree features a comprehensive exam prior to graduation. It is a 30-credit hour program and admission requirements include:
- proof of active or pending teacher certification
- two letters of recommendation
- a service record
- a 2.75 GPA in undergraduate work.
Related Ranking:
Top 44 Best Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction
