Written By Bethany McCamish
It’s a common belief that the field of education isn’t where you make the big bucks. It’s true that the location where you work has a big impact on your salary, but so does the degree you have. If you want to become a principal, school administrator, or take on a new leadership role within your district, then a Master’s of Education degree is what you’ll need. You want to be thoughtful about this investment and find the most affordable program possible. The list below covers the top programs, and it turns out an online master's degree in education is the most affordable type available.
10 cheapest online master’s degree in education programs
Chances are you’ll already be working when you look at pursuing a Master’s of Education degree. That’s what makes the online Master’s in Education programs so viable. You can work on your degree and keep earning an income, which can help you rely less on student loans.
Here are the cheapest online master’s degree in education schools according to data from Affordable Colleges and the College Scorecard.
10. Cumberland University
Degree offered: Master of Education Physical Education and Sports
Cost: $550 per credit hour; $100 fee per semester for practicum
Total estimated tuition: $10,100
9. Graceland University
Degree offered: Master of Education
Cost: $525 per credit hour
Total estimated tuition: $9450
8.University of Texas at El Paso
Degrees offered: Master’s of Education in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education, Master’s of Education in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Bilingual Education
Cost: $490 per credit hour for residents; $575 per credit hour for non-residents
Total estimated tuition: $8820 for residents; $10,350 for non-residents
7. California State University – East Bay
Degree offered: Master’s of Science in Education
Cost: $396 per credit hour added to normal tuition for non-residents
Total estimated tuition: $8274 for residents, $13,026 for non-residents
6. University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
Degree offered: Master’s of Science in Education
Cost: $448.13 per credit hour
Total estimated tuition: $8066.34
5. Eastern New Mexico University
Degree offered: Master’s of Education
Cost: $293.50 per credit hour for residents; $389.25 per credit hour for non-residents; $17 per online course credit
Total estimated tuition: $7044 for residents; $9342 for non-residents
4. Anderson University Online
Degree offered: Master’s of Education
Cost: $380 per credit hour (12-month, accelerated, 33-hour program)
Total estimated tuition: $12,540, or $6270 equivalent
3. Martin Luther College
Degrees offered: Master’s of Science in Education, Master’s of Science in Educational Administration
Cost: $315 per credit; $945 for a three-credit course
Total estimated tuition: $5670
2. Fort Hays State University
Degree offered: Master’s of Science in Education
Cost: $287.75 per credit hour; $863.25 for a three-credit course
Total estimated tuition: $5179.50
1. University of Wisconsin – Stout
Degree offered: Master’s of Science in Education
Cost: $492 per credit hour
Total estimated tuition: $4428
Most of these programs are within a few thousand dollars of each other. You should dig deeper into concentrations that you’re interested in. Some programs have set prices, and others have a lower tuition rate for in-state residents.
Remember, to teach or serve in a school administration, you’ll also need to pass certain required state and district exams. These exam costs aren’t factored into the tuition.
Are online master’s degrees in education credible?
When looking at online education programs, the most important factor is accreditation. That’s why the list above includes only programs that are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation. You can choose to attend an affordable online program anywhere, but check to make sure the program is up to standards and is accredited.
According to U.S. News and World Report, employers today accept online degrees and may not even be able to tell right away that you earned your degree online. Accreditation and the name of the school are two of the most important factors for employers.
Plus, there are a lot of skills that an online degree speaks to. Earning an online degree can indicate you have skills in time management as you juggle work, life responsibilities and school online, for example.
Hybrid Master’s of Education program option
If you learn in an actual classroom better than you could learn online, then you’ll want to check out hybrid options for a Master’s of Education degree. Taking online classes is still the cheapest option to earn your degree, but a hybrid program is your next best option.
Hybrid programs are a mixture of online classes and in-person classes. Each program is structured differently. In some cases, you submit all coursework online and meet once a week. In other cases, you only meet in person toward the end of your degree program.
Southern University of Utah Hybrid Master’s of Education
A great option is Southern University of Utah. This is a hybrid program for a Master’s in Education degree. The total estimated tuition for a resident is $6006 for two semesters. If you’re a non-resident, it’s more expensive at $19,822. Those estimates do not include the $382 in student fees per semester.
Going to an actual classroom may mean relocating. Before moving, be sure to look at the administrator and teacher's salary within the state. See if you want to pursue your certifications in the same location where you complete your degree.
If you don’t want to move, search for hybrid programs in your state. Look at public colleges and universities first. These are going to have a cheaper tuition rate than private universities. If the tuition and fees aren’t clear on the school’s website, contact the financial aid office to get a program packet with a financial breakdown.
Expensive Master’s of Education programs
Some of the schools ranked for “Best Graduate Education” by U.S. News and World Report are also the same schools that will charge more for their reputation.
Online Master’s of Education programs are the cheapest and are credible. There are numerous traditional programs for a Master’s of Education degree that are also affordable. So it’s not necessary to pay more for a Master’s of Education degree.
Here are five top-ranked schools with tuition prices that soar too high:
| School | Total estimated tuition |
|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania | $71,521 |
| Stanford University | $52,479 |
| Harvard University | $50,144 |
| University of California – Los Angeles | Residents: $17,272 Non-residents: $32,374 |
| Teachers College Columbia University | $31,536 |
If the program takes two to three years to complete, you’re looking at a tuition bill that reaches over six figures. As an educator who wants to be an administrator, this isn’t even close to affordable when you compare it to the average administrator’s salary. You can take into account that getting a master’s degree will increase your salary, but not to the extent that makes these top schools affordable.
Why a Master’s in Education is so valuable
The average salary for a Master’s of Education (MEd) is $57,000, according to PayScale. That’s not a salary that allows you to take on a ton of student loan debt. The difference in salary between holding an MEd and bachelor’s degree, however, is especially huge for those in education.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, education administrators with a master's degree had 44% higher salaries than those with a bachelor's degree. The National Council on Teacher Quality reports that among the largest districts in the country, 88% offer an increase in pay for those who earn master's degrees.
If you’re careful about which school you choose, you can earn an MEd and not end up with more student loan debt than you can handle.
Know how to pay for a Master’s of Education
Even with the increase in pay, you should still plan out every penny you’re going to spend on your degree. If you’re already working in education, see if you can get professional development funds to cover part of the cost.
Next, search for scholarships and grants. Then, you can look at taking out student loans.
If you take out federal student loans to fund your graduate degree, you could be eligible for:
- Public service loan forgiveness
- Teacher loan forgiveness
- Income-driven repayment plan forgiveness
- Direct consolidation loan
If you take out private student loans, you’ll want to look into refinancing once you earn your degree.
There are a lot of options to weigh when thinking about which school to attend and how you’re going to afford it. If you want to talk to a professional on the team at Student Loan Planner®, please reach out. We have a pre-debt consultation for this very reason. A Master’s of Education is a great investment to increase your salary, but not if you end up paying out your entire raise in student loans.
Methodology
Total estimated tuition is for one school year (two semesters) assuming you’re enrolled for nine credits per semester or what is standard for the program. Data was pulled in October 2019 and confirmed on individual schools’ websites.
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