By Jennifer W. Eisenberg
A master’s degree in educational leadership or administration is a natural stepping stone on the path between the classroom teacher and administrator in an office with a door. Being able to pursue this degree online, while keeping your current job and responsibilities is a wonder of the current time. Many of these programs require applicants to be an experienced, licensed educator in your home state, so be sure you are qualified to apply to your selected program. This list of the top 20 best online master’s in educational leadership can help you select the program that is best tailored to your interests and bottom line.
Another thing to research before you write the application fee check is to ensure that your chosen program is authorized to provide educational services in the state where you reside. Each school contracts individually with each state, so authorization is a continually evolving thing.
In compiling this list of the top 20 best online master’s in educational leadership, we used the rating and ranking methodology broken down here.
#20 – University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
Website
Points: 5
Enrollment: 64,088
Tuition: $25,759
The University of Central Florida was founded in 1963, and their mascot is Knightro the Knight. With a student to faculty ratio of 30 to 1, their online master of arts in educational leadership is a 30 credit hour program that includes coursework in educational financial affairs and community school administration. The University of Central Florida charges an out of state graduate tuition rate of $1,194.05 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#19 – University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Website
Points: 6
Enrollment: 36,596
Tuition: $24,532
The University of Cincinnati was established in 1870, and their mascot is the Bearcat. With a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1, their online master of educational leadership is a 45-54 quarter credit hour program that is open to individuals with two or more years of teaching experience. The University of Cincinnati charges a flat, full-time, graduate, non-resident tuition rate of $13,105 per term. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
#18 – Indiana University-Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana
Website
Points: 7
Enrollment: 49,695
Tuition: $28,420
Indiana University-Bloomington was founded in 1820, and their mascot is the Hoosier. With a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1, their online master of science in education in educational leadership is a 36 credit hour program that includes coursework in school community relations and public school budgeting. Indiana University-Bloomington charges an out of state, graduate tuition rate of $1,255.20 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
#17 – DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois
Website
Points: 8
Enrollment: 23,100
Tuition: $18,960
DePaul University was founded in 1898, and their mascot is the Blue Demon. With a student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1, their online master of education in educational leadership is a 52 quarter credit hour program that offers five concentrations. They are general, Catholic leadership, higher education, physical education, principal license, principal license (Catholic), teacher leader, and teacher leader (Catholic). DePaul University charges a graduate tuition rate of $630 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
#16 – Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia
Website
Points: 9
Enrollment: 24,322
Tuition: $25,548
Old Dominion University was established in 1930, and their mascot is the Monarch. With a student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1, their master of science in educational administration and supervision, preK-12 is a 30 credit hour program that includes coursework in data analysis and fiscal management. Old Dominion University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $538 per credit hour for out of state students. They’re out of state surcharge is only $42 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#15 – George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
Website
Points: 9
Enrollment: 34,909
Tuition: $29,306
George Mason University is the largest public research institution of higher learning in the state of Virginia. With a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1, their online master of education in educational leadership is a 30 credit hour program that includes coursework in organizational theory and human resources. George Mason University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $795.00 per credit hour for out of state students in this program. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#14 – University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Website
Points: 10
Enrollment: 2,240
Tuition: $27,335
Founded in 1853, the University of Florida’s mascot is the Gator. They are a sea-grant institution. With a student to faculty ratio of 49 to 1, their online master’s in educational leadership is a 36 credit hour program that includes coursework in public school finance and data-driven decision making. The University of Florida offers an online, graduate tuition rate of $734 per credit hour, regardless of residency. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#13 – Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
Website
Points: 10
Enrollment: 41,173
Tuition: $24,116
Florida State University was established in 1851, and their mascot is the Seminole. With a student to faculty ratio of 24 to 1, their online master of science in educational leadership is a 33 credit hour program including coursework in planning effective instruction and data-driven school improvement. This program is open to certified Florida teachers with at least two years of experience. Florida State University charges an online out of state graduate tuition rate of $1,075.66 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#12 – Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona
Website
Points: 10
Enrollment: 51,869
Tuition: $23,480
Arizona State University was established in 1885, and their mascot is the Sun Devil. With a student to faculty ratio of 23 to 1, their online master of education in educational leadership (principalship) is a 36 credit hour program that includes coursework in school law and school finance. Arizona State University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $659 per credit hour, regardless of residency. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#11 – University of West Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Website
Points: 10
Enrollment: 12,966
Tuition: $22,166
The University of West Florida was founded in 1963, and their mascot is Argie the Argonaut. With a student to faculty ratio of 22 to 1, their online master of education in educational leadership is a 33 credit hour program that includes coursework in the principalship and foundations of measurement. The University of West Florida offers an online, graduate tuition rate of $416.50 per credit hour, regardless of residency. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#10 – Penn State University
University Park, Pennsylvania
Website
Points: 11
Enrollment: 47,789
Tuition: $34,266
Penn State University was founded in 1855, and their mascot is the Nittany Lion. The school motto is “Making Life Better.” With a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1, their online master of education in educational leadership is a 30 credit hour program that includes coursework in teaching as inquiry and how schools work. Penn State University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $853 per credit hour, regardless of residency. They are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
#9 – University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Website
Points: 11
Enrollment: 27,194
Tuition: $18,842
The University of Arkansas was established in 1871, and their mascot is the Razorback Hog. With a student to faculty ratio of 18 to 1, their online master of education in educational leadership is a 33 credit hour program that is open to licensed educators. The University of Arkansas offers an online graduate tuition rate of $420.19 per credit hour, regardless of residency, for this program. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#8 – University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe, Louisiana
Website
Points: 12
Enrollment: 9,038
Tuition: $18,590
The University of Louisiana at Monroe was founded in 1931, and their mascot is the Warhawk. With a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1, their online master of education in educational leadership is a 36 credit hour program that includes coursework in multicultural educational perspectives and instructional supervision. The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers an online, graduate tuition rate of $500 per credit hour, regardless of residency. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#7 – Montclair State University
Montclair, New Jersey
Website
Points: 12
Enrollment: 20,987
Tuition: $15,837
Montclair State University was established in 1908, and their mascot is Rocky the Red Hawk. With a student to faculty ratio of 17 to 1, their online master of arts in educational leadership is a 36 credit hour program including coursework in education law and school finance. Montclair State University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $1,772.27 per 3 credit hours, regardless of residency. They are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
#6 – Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah
Website
Points: 12
Enrollment: 84,289
Tuition: $6,500
Western Governors University uses “competency units,” or CUs, instead of credit hours. However many CUs you complete in a term, is how many credits you get, theoretically enabling you to finish your degree faster. With a student to faculty ratio of 41 to 1, their online master of science in educational leadership is a 40 competency unit program that includes coursework in strategic planning for educational leadership and workforce focus for educational leaders. Western Governors University offers a full-time graduate rate of $2,890 per semester. They are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
#5 – Saint Joseph’s University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Website
Points: 13
Enrollment: 8,415
Tuition: $16,092
Saint Joseph’s University was founded in 1851 by the Society of Jesus. Their mascot is the Hawk. With a student to faculty ratio of 12 to 1, their online master of science in educational leadership is a 33 credit hour program that includes coursework in adolescent development and reading literature. Saint Joseph’s University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $765 per credit hour, regardless of residency. They are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
#4 – Thomas Edison State University
Trenton, New Jersey
Website
Points: 13
Enrollment: 16,233
Tuition: $12,399
Thomas Edison State University was founded in 1972 and is one of New Jersey’s senior public institutions of higher education. With a student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1, its online master of arts in educational leadership is a 36-42 credit hour program that offers three specializations, building leadership, district leadership and school business administration. Thomas Edison State University offers the same graduate tuition rate of $668 per credit hour to all students except for its MBA, which is $714 per credit hour. TESU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
#3 – Texas A&M University-Commerce
Commerce, Texas
Website
Points:13
Enrollment: 13,514
Tuition: $10,974
Texas A&M University-Commerce was founded in 1889, and their mascot is the Lion. With a student to faculty ratio of 21 to 1, their online master of education in educational administration is a 30 credit hour program that includes coursework in designing curriculum and multicultural education. Texas A&M University-Commerce offers an online graduate tuition rate of $625 per credit hour regardless of residency. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#2 – University of Dayton
Dayton, Ohio
Website
Points: 14
Enrollment: 10,803
Tuition: $16,020
The University of Dayton was founded in 1850, and their mascot is the Flyers. With a student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1, their online master of science in education in leadership for educational systems is a 33 credit hour program that includes coursework in counselor education and educational leadership. The University of Dayton offers an online graduate tuition rate of $626 per credit hour, regardless of residency. They offer a 50% discount on this rate to full-time Catholic educators and Lalanne instructors. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.
#1 – Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Website
Points:16
Enrollment: 2,330
Tuition: $11,194
The Queens University of Charlotte was established in 1857 by the Presbyterian Church. Their mascot is Rex the Royal. With a student to faculty ratio of 9 to 1, their online master of arts in educational leadership is a 33 credit hour program that includes coursework in building community and leading diversity. The Queens University of Charlotte offers an online, graduate tuition rate of $395 per credit hour, regardless of residency. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
This concludes the list of the top 20 master’s degrees in educational leadership online in 2018.
