Top 20 Master’s in Educational Administration Online
By TED Staff February 2021
The following list of the Top 20 Online Master’s in Education Administration programs will be of interest to all teachers and administrators wishing to reach their greatest potential. A master’s degree is required for all principalships and positions of administrative leadership in the field of education, and can be the key to a fulfilling career as a principal or assistant principal, dean of student affairs, or other leadership role.
Programs at the schools reviewed below are aligned with professional standards, and allow students a variety of opportunities to utilize the lessons they are learning within the schools at which they are currently employed. Many programs offer a capstone project the during the final semester, so that students can explore significant issues based on real experiences and challenges in schools.
Best of all, each of the degree programs listed below can be completed entirely online. To come up with our ranking, we began by compiling a list of any and every university offering a master’s degree in Educational Administration which can be completed entirely online. We then narrowed down our list to just the 20 best by focusing on the points-based ranking system below. In the event of a tie in points, we placed the program with the lower annual out-of-state tuition cost in the higher-ranking position.
Student to Faculty Ratio: 10:1 and lower: 5 points 11:1 to 12:1: 4 points 13:1 to 15:1: 3 points 16:1 to 20:1: 2 points 21:1 and higher: 1 point
Estimated Program Cost: Under $20,000: 5 points Under $30,000: 4 points Under $40,000: 3 points Under $50,000: 2 points Under $60,000: 1 point
Overall Graduation Rate: 90% and above: 5 points 75% and above: 4 points 50% and above: 3 points 25% and above: 2 points 24% and below: 1 point
20-Year Net Return on Investment (ROI): 10% and above: 5 points 8%-9%: 4 points 6%-7%: 3 points 4%-5%: 2 points 3% and below: 1 point
#20. Brandman University
Irvine, California Estimated Program Cost: $19,500 Total Points: 10
Brandman University charges $650 per credit for its master of arts in educational administration. The program is only available to California residents with a valid CCTC approved Preliminary Administrative Services Credential. For admission, you will need to provide two letters of recommendation and to meet one of four GPA options for admission, which depends on your experience, GPA, or whether you would prefer to represent your writing skills by submitting a professional portfolio. Brandman University’s online MAE in Educational Administration is 30 credits long. Acceptable GRE score in combination with a lower GPA is one of the four options.
Lynchburg, Virginia Estimated Program Cost: $14,940 Total Points: 10
Liberty University allows students to transfer in up to half the credits for the 36-hour master of education in administration and supervision that can be completed 100% online. Optional on-campus intensives are offered. The program receives National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education accreditation through Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. With full-time tuition of $415 hourly, the online MEd in administration and supervision at Liberty University can be completed in just two years. No GRE is required.
Wayne, Nebraska Estimated Program Cost: $19,912.50 Total Points: 11
Wayne State College’s 100% online master of science in education in school administration has three focus areas: 7-12, PK-8, and PK-12. This is a 36-45 hour degree, depending on focus area. To be accepted, you must possess a valid teaching certificate. Also, you may write an essay in lieu of qualifying examination. Minimum 2.75 GPA. While Wayne State College offers a reasonable $442.50 per credit unit rate for in-state students, states adjacent to Nebraska get a reduced rate on the online MSE in school administration.
Norman, Oklahoma Estimated Program Cost: $35,116.20 Total Points: 12
The University of Oklahoma’s online master of education Educational Administration has a rolling admissions system and uses the cohort model. For admission into The University of Oklahoma’s online MEd, students need a BS in education or equivalent. You can complete a thesis or non-thesis program, where a non-thesis requires comprehensive portfolio by the time you have completed its 36 credit hours. GRE or GMAT scores are required, as is a GPA minimum of 3.0. Occasional non-online interaction is necessary, including in-person classes one Saturday per month on Norman campus. The school charges $957.45 per unit of instruction.
Cullowhee, North Carolina Estimated Program Cost: $27,234.72 Total Points: 12
A 36-credit online program, the master of school administration at Western Carolina University uses its own cohort system. GRE scores are required for the admission process. While there is only one admit date per year, there is a required, limited-residency component (four Saturdays a term). Program involves a competency-based internship. Full-time study or part-time allowed, but full-time involves no summer sessions. $756.52 per credit, out of state, is the tuition rate for the online MSA in school administration at Western Carolina University.
Houston, Texas Estimated Program Cost: $15,300 Total Points: 12
The University of Houston Clear Lake features an online master of science in educational management. The school charges out of state graduate students tuition that starts at $1,172 per credit hour, while the in-state rate for Texas residents is just over $510. To complete the 30 credit hour program students attend five 8-week terms per year, the coursework for which includes school law and school resource management. The University of Houston Clear Lake MS in educational management online is recognized in the US by NCATE/CAEP. GRE is required.
Washington, District of Columbia Estimated Program Cost: $30,750 Total Points: 13
The online master of arts in education in human development in educational leadership and administration online at The George Washington University has been named one of NCATE’s programs of distinction. Admission to the program requires two recommendations from people who can speak to the applicant’s academic abilities, a statement of purpose essay of 250 to 500 words, and a minimum one year of teaching experience. The school features a rolling admissions calendar and three start dates a year. GRE or GMAT is required. Most students who are accepted submitted a GPA of 3.5 or higher. The George Washington University’s online MA Ed HD in educational leadership and administration is a 30 credit hour program that can be completed in two years. Tuition is $1,025 per credit hour.
Clinton, Mississippi Estimated Program Cost: $14,309 Total Points: 13
Mississippi College offers an online M.Ed.S. in Educational Leadership. The 41-credit degree program typically takes just 12 months to complete. For admission into Mississippi College’s online master in higher education administration, you will need to compose a statement of purpose and have earned a bachelor’s degree. The college has rolling admissions, and students pay a very reasonable $349 per credit hour.
Boone, North Carolina Estimated Program Cost: $9,576 Total Points: 13
Appalachian State University charges $266 per unit of instruction for North Carolina residents. This 36-credit hours program is part-time study only and leads to licensure, depending on requirements in the state where you live. While a GRE or MAT waiver is available, you must submit three references, one from a current supervisor, and you must have at least three years of public school teaching experience to be considered for admission to the online MA in school administration at Appalachian State University.
Beaumont, Texas Estimated Program Cost: $8,250 Total Points: 13
Lamar University’s online master of arts in educational administration requires a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA. Also, the school requires two years of teaching experience and a teaching certificate for admission. The school offers multiple start dates per year for its 16-month program duration. Lamar University’s online MEd in educational administration costs $275 per credit hour for its 30 credit-hour program, which requires a capstone internship. The university only charges $25 for its application fee. You may be required to pay $180 to undergo a teaching credential review. No GRE is required.
East Lansing, Michigan Estimated Program Cost: $26,910 Total Points: 14
Michigan State University offers an online master of arts in education, P-12 school and postsecondary leadership concentration that does not charge out of state tuition fees, though the tuition is $897 per credit hour. The program is not designed to lead to certification and is 30 credits long. Completion and exhibition of an online portfolio are required for graduation. No thesis is required. To get into the online Michigan State University’s MAE, P-12 school and postsecondary leadership concentration, you will need a minimum 3.0 GPA. The school does not ask for GRE or MAT scores, but you may submit your score if you think it will strengthen your case for admission.
Laramie, Wyoming Estimated Program Cost: $25,740 Total Points: 14
To get into the online master of arts in educational leadership at the University of Wyoming, no GRE is required, though you will need at least a bachelor’s GPA of 3.0. The school allows for two admit dates per year for the 33 credit hour program. If you are an out of state graduate student, the tuition rate is $780 per unit. Discounted tuition is available for children of alumni of the school. Letter of intent and copy of current teaching certificate are required for admission to the MA in educational leadership online at the University of Wyoming.
Columbia, South Carolina Estimated Program Cost: $22,272.84 Total Points: 14
The online master of educational administration degree at the University of South Carolina is a 24-month program consisting of 36 units that costs $618.69 per unit of credit. A helpful discount is available for SC certified teachers, but the program is open to non-licensed applicants. Graduate students may choose between an elementary or a high school focus. The online MEd in educational administration at the University of South Carolina is not designed to lead to licensure. Admission to the program requires at least 2.5 minimum undergrad GPA and a recent GRE or MAT score.
College Station, Texas Estimated Program Cost: $21,600 Total Points: 14
Texas A&M University offers its online master of education in educational administration, PK-12 emphasis with only one admit date per year. The program runs a cohort model that, once fulfilled, is a 36 semester hours degree that should take 2 years or about five semesters. The school charges students from outside Texas $1,418 per unit of instruction while students from in-state are charged less than half that rate for the online MEd in educational administration, PK-12 emphasis at Texas A&M University. If you cannot prove that you have full-time employment, a residency component is required.
Tallahassee, Florida Estimated Program Cost: $15,993.36 Total Points: 14
At Florida State University, the online master of science in educational leadership runs for six terms in length, which is two courses a semester to complete its 36 hours. The degree affords degrees with Florida principal certification and without. To be admitted you must have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, a recent GRE score, and two years of full-time classroom experience. Florida State University’s online MS in Educational Leadership will cost out of state students $444.26 per unit of credit.
Boston, Massachusetts Estimated Program Cost: $29,700 Total Points: 15
During Boston University’s master of education in higher education administration program, students can attend part-time, and with no residency requirement. The program is structured into two seven-week terms per semester, about two courses per term. To finish you must complete 36 credits, which typically takes five semesters. Note that the program does not lead to licensure. You will need to plan around its three admit dates per year and be prepared for a tuition of $825 per credit hour. Also, you will need to write a statement of qualification and sign an equity and inclusion statement for admission into Boston University’s online MEd in higher education administration program.
Lowell, Massachusetts Estimated Program Cost: $14,100 Total Points: 15
The online master of education in educational administration at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is 30 credits in length and charges $470 per credit hour. Students making an application must submit a statement of purpose and letters of recommendations. GRE scores are required and do affect acceptance. The coursework for the University of Massachusetts Lowell online MEd in educational administration includes the inclusive school and program evaluation. In the final term, you will need to team up in a Capstone project.
Baltimore, Maryland Estimated Program Cost: $18,522 Total Points: 18
The online graduate certificate in School Administration and Supervision at Johns Hopkins University requires 18-21 credit hours at $882 per credit. The certificate program is part-time, and typically takes students 1-3 years to complete. The admission process includes a personal essay and two letters of recommendation.
Stony Brook, New York Estimated Program Cost: $19,980 Total Points: 16
To qualify for entry into the 36 credit online master of arts in higher education administration at Stony Brook University, you need to have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, and you need to submit a personal statement. Whether full-time or part-time, the program is $555 per credit hour out of state. While a GRE is not required for this program, it may be advisable if you happen to test well and/or feel the need to increase the competitiveness of your application. Once in, your online course calendar for the online MA in higher education administration at Stony Brook University is three 10-week terms, with a 3-week winter term.
Urbana, Illinois Estimated Program Cost: $15,136 Total Points: 16
To be ready for the online master of education in international educational administration and leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, you will need three letters of reference from individuals with direct knowledge of your academic prowess, 3.0 minimum GPA, and a minimum 500 word personal statement. The 32 credit hour degree costs a modest $473 per credit hour. The online MEd in international educational administration and leadership at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign has a generous eight admit dates/terms per year.
By TED Staff
