By TED Staff
June 2021
Education is changing fast and the future is uncertain. One thing that is certain is the need for passionate individuals to take charge and usher education into the future. If that sounds like something you want to do, then 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 or majority 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 an out-of-state student would need to pay to obtain the full degree.
#15. University of Iowa
Online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership w/ Principal Licensure
Iowa City, Iowa
Estimated Tuition Cost: $12,108 (Iowa residents), $45,054 (out-of-state)
University of Iowa offers three start dates per year for its online MA 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.
#14. Florida State University
Online Master of Science in Educational Leadership & Policy
Tallahassee, Florida
Estimated Program Cost: $14,652 (Florida residents), $35,508 (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 MS in Educational Leadership & Policy that will prepare you for a role in educational leadership. 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 $1,076 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.
#13. University of Central Florida
Online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
Orlando, Florida
Estimated Program Cost: $9,819.60 (Florida residents), $34,581.60 (out-of-state)
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, and $1,152 for out-of-state students. 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.
#12. George Washington University
Online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration
Washington, DC
Estimated Program Cost: $31,350
George Washington University’s online MA 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 $1,045 for each credit hour. The program is looking for applicants with a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and a current resume or CV.
#11. Boston University
Online Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (non-licensure)
Boston, Massachusetts
Estimated Program Cost: $28,416
At 32 credits, the online EdM 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, and two letters of recommendation. Tuition for the online EdM in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is $888 per credit. A 36-40 credit licensure track is also available.
#10. Penn State University
Online Master of Education in Educational Leadership
University Park, Pennsylvania
Estimated Program Cost: $27,720
Scoring #7 on the US News and World Report ranking of top online education programs (2021), 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 MEd in Educational Leadership is $924 per hour. Admission to the program requires three references, an official transcript, a resume, and a scholarly writing sample.
#9. University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Online Master of Arts in Educational Administration
Lincoln, Nebraska
Estimated Program Cost: $12,852 (Nebraska residents), $27,000 (out of state)
University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s online MA 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.
#8. University of Florida
Online Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Gainesville, Florida
Estimated Program Cost: $26,424
An impressive #1 on US News and World Report‘s ranking of top online education programs (2021), University of Florida’s online MEd 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.
#7. Lehigh University
Online Master of Education in Educational Leadership & optional Principal Certification
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Estimated Program Cost: $17,700 (without licensure), $25,370 (with licensure)
The online M.Ed in Educational Leadership & Principal Certification at Lehigh University is actually a hybrid program, with two summers spent at Lehigh’s Pennsylvania campus. This is a 30-credit program without licensure, and 43 credits with licensure. The program charges a graduate tuition rate of $590 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.
#6. University of Kansas
Online MSE in Educational Administration
Lawrence, Kansas
Estimated Program Cost: $21,420
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.
#5. Indiana University — Bloomington
Online Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
Bloomington, Indiana
Estimated Program Cost: $15,758 (Indiana residents), $18,936 (out-of-state)
Coming in at #42 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.
#4. Louisiana State University
Online Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Estimated Program Cost: $17,901
Louisiana State University’s online MEd 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.
#3. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Online Master of Education in Learning Design and Leadership
Urbana, Illinois
Estimated Program Cost: $15,680
The College of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign was awarded the #3 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, and 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.
#2. Saint Leo University
Online Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Saint Leo, Florida
Estimated Tuition Cost: $15,300
The online MEd in Educational Leadership at Saint Leo University bestows on qualified candidates eligibility for the Level 1 Education Leadership certificate in the state of Florida. The 30-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 a 250-word statement on your education and career goals.
#1. West Texas A&M University
Online Master of Education 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)
West Texas A&M University features an online Master of Education in Educational Leadership that offers optional 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 teacher certification, two letters of recommendation, a service record, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
Related Rankings:
Top 44 Best Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction
15 Best Paying Jobs in Higher Education Administration
Top 60 Best Online Master’s in Special Education
