If you’re the type of person that takes pride in and works hard to maintain their practical knowledge and education, you might want to consider pursuing a degree that matches your priorities. Individuals with master’s degrees in education are certified to work in educational administration as principals, education policy analysts, university professors, and much more.
Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the most affordable online master’s degree programs in the field of education. The post-secondary education institutions that run these programs are highly reputable, and the programs themselves are designed to accommodate all types of learners. It doesn’t hurt that they’re also affordable, high-ranking, and easily accessible through various online teaching formats.
Methodology
All schools considered for these rankings
- Are regionally or nationally accredited
- Offer at least one fully online master’s in education degree (with no more than two weeks of required in-person work)
- Were collected from official accrediting agency websites.
Schools are ranked solely by the average net price as released in the most recent IPEDs database collected in July of 2022.
2023 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Education Degrees
| Rank | School | Average Net Price |
| # 1 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | $8,961 |
| # 2 | Northeastern State University | $10,094 |
| # 3 | Arkansas Tech University | $11,721 |
| # 4 | Minot State University | $12,205 |
| # 5 | Dickinson State University | $12,673 |
| # 6 | Eastern Illinois University | $13,098 |
| # 7 | Fort Hays State University | $13,189 |
| # 8 | Valdosta State University | $13,240 |
| # 9 | Adams State University | $13,388 |
| # 10 | University of the Cumberlands | $13,476 |
| # 11 | University of New Mexico | $14,424 |
| # 12 | Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville | $14,462 |
| # 13 | West Texas A & M University | $15,033 |
| # 14 | Missouri State University | $16,718 |
| # 15 | Fitchburg State University | $16,806 |
| # 16 | Buena Vista University | $18,054 |
| # 17 | Mississippi College | $18,190 |
| # 18 | Framingham State University | $19,535 |
| # 19 | Campbellsville University | $19,819 |
| # 20 | Georgia College & State University | $20,139 |
| # 21 | Strayer University | $23,189 |
| # 22 | Evangel University | $23,719 |
| # 23 | Midway University | $24,164 |
10 Best Affordable Colleges for Online Master’s in Education Degrees
1. Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Average Net Price: $8,961
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 51%
Home to the Child Development Center Laboratory School since 1949, Eastern New Mexico University is a public, Hispanic-serving college in Portales. The U.S. News & World Report ranked ENMU the 52nd top social mobility performer in the West. Military Times recognizes ENMU as one of the Best For Vets Colleges.
The College of Education & Technology utilizes Blackboard and Mediasite to deliver 11 master’s degrees in education 100 percent online with asynchronous, eight-week classes. The M.Ed. in Bilingual Education has a 36-credit, HLC-accredited online curriculum for practicing K-12 teachers to master inclusive pedagogies. The M.S. in Physical Education follows a 36-credit, thesis-optional online program with an interscholastic athletic department internship. The M.Ed. in Education Administration unlocks New Mexico’s Level 3 teaching certification with a 36-credit, 16-month online study sequence. Other online options include the M.Ed. in Career & Technical Education, M.Ed. in Elementary Education, and M.Ed. in Literacy Education.
2. Northeastern State University
Average Net Price: $10,094
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC, CAEP
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Opened in 1909, Northeastern State University is a public, masters-level institution in Tahlequah that serves 1,228 post-grad RiverHawks with an 18:1 student-faculty ratio. The U.S. News & World Report ranked NSU 192nd for online master’s in education programs. According to Niche, NSU has America’s 418th best professors. Washington Monthly placed Northeastern State 107th nationally for master’s degrees. College Choice also selected NSU for the #1 cheapest master’s degree in higher education online.
On Blackboard, the College of Extended Learning offers six online education master’s degrees in an accelerated, eight-week format for graduate students with a minimum of 2.5 GPAs. The Special Education M.Ed. follows a 33-credit, CAEP-accredited online college curriculum focused on teaching children with autism spectrum disorders. The 32-credit Reading Education M.Ed. meets the International Literacy Association’s standards for an added K-12 Oklahoma teacher endorsement. The Early Childhood Education M.Ed. offers a 35-credit, 12-month online path to teaching diverse, inclusive classrooms up to third grade. There’s also a School Administration M.Ed., Science Education M.Ed., and Instructional Leadership M.Ed. online.
3. Arkansas Tech University
Average Net Price: $11,721
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC, CAEP
Acceptance Rate: 98%
Endowed for $37.4 million, Arkansas Tech University is a public, doctoral-level school in Russellville founded in 1909 that’s now admitting nearly 850 post-grad Golden Suns. The U.S. News & World Report ranked ATU the South’s 75th best college and 76th top social mobility performer. Niche named ATU the 159th best college campus nationwide. Washington Monthly crowned Arkansas Tech the 304th top master’s institution. The National Council on Teacher Quality placed ATU in the top 57th percentile.
On Blackboard, the College of eTech offers five master’s in education online degrees for licensed teachers with a minimum of 2.0 undergraduate GPAs. The M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages builds a 30-credit, CAEP-accredited curriculum online with a capstone practicum for added TESOL endorsement. The M.S. in Student Affairs Administration has a 36-credit, two-year online sequence that exceeds the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) requirements. The M.Ed. in Special Education follows a 36-credit, web-based path specializing in Birth-Kindergarten, K-12 Education, or Dyslexia Therapist. Graduate students also pursue the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and M.Ed. in Instructional Technology online.
4. Minot State University
Average Net Price: $12,205
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC, CAEP
Acceptance Rate: 77%
In the North Dakota University System, Minot State University is the third-largest public, coed AASCU member that’s grown since 1913 to accommodate 1,281 graduate Beavers. The U.S. News & World Report picked MSU 240th for online post-secondary education and 145th for social mobility. According to Niche, MSU has America’s 27th best digital studies and 286th best public schooling. Washington Monthly designated Minot State as the 404th top master’s university. WalletHub ranked MSU 165th for student selectivity and 37th for low tuition costs.
On Blackboard Learn 9.1, Minot State Online lets College of Education & Health Sciences post-grads pursue seven masters in education online degrees with eight-week internet terms. The Curriculum & Instruction M.Ed. has a 30-credit, CAEP-accredited online sequence for advanced K-12 certification after the community engagement experience. The 30-credit, 12-month English Education M.Ed. began in Summer 2020 with online accredited online college classes like Enrichment Reading and thesis research. The Early Childhood Special Education M.S.Ed. admits teachers with a minimum of 2.75 GPAs for a 37-credit online track to inclusive Birth-8 teaching. Other online degrees include the Deaf or Hard of Hearing Education M.S.Ed. and Business Education M.Ed.
5. Dickinson State University
Average Net Price: $12,673
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC, CAEP
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Known for its Roughrider Education Services Program, Dickinson State University has been a public, coed teaching college since 1918 with 1,392 Blue Hawks enrolled for a $10,817 net price. The U.S. News & World Report declared DSU the 48th top Midwest school and 64th top social mobility performer. On Niche, DSU is America’s 341st most conservative university. College Magazine crowned Dickinson State the seventh most affordable institution. Washington Monthly positioned DSU 152nd for community service.
The Department of Teacher Education gives 24/7 access to Blackboard Collaborate, Hoonuit, and NetTutor to complete Dickinson State’s two online education master’s degrees. The Master of Arts in Teaching admits post-grads with a minimum of 3.0 GPAs for a 34-credit, CAEP-accredited online curriculum that fulfills initial North Dakota and most out-of-state certifications. Each eight-week session, MAT students take online courses like Educational Research and Content Area Teaching Strategies to prepare for the 12-week internship. There’s also a 33-credit, non-licensure MAT in Athletic Educational Leadership available online.
6. Eastern Illinois University
Average Net Price: $13,098
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC, CAEP
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Opened in 1895, Eastern Illinois University is a public, master’s comprehensive institution in Charleston that serves over 1,900 post-grad Panthers with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The U.S. News & World Report ranked EIU 242nd for online Master’s in education programs. According to Niche, EIU students give their professors a 100% approval rating. Washington Monthly placed Eastern Illinois with high marks as a top Master’s Institution in Illinois. University HQ also selected EIU for the best Online Art Education Master’s degree program.
Eastern Illinois Online provides six master’s degrees in education. The Master of Art in Arts Education is a 32-hour part-time program that includes intense in-person studio experiences. The online Master’s of Arts in Music with a concentration in Music Education is fully online except for a one-week residency program. The Master’s of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction is geared to teachers for all grade levels and boasts some of the lowest tuition in the state. Other online Master’s degrees include the Master’s of Science in College Student Affairs with Option in Higher Education and Community College, the Master’s of Science in Education in Special Education, and the Master’s of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics: Nutrition Education Option.
7. Fort Hays State University
Average Net Price: $13,189
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC, CAEP
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Funding the $1,000 Online Student Scholarship, Fort Hays State University is Kansas’ third-largest public, doctoral-level college created in 1902 to presently teach 2,780 post-grad Tigers. The U.S. News & World Report applauded FHSU for the 24th best master’s in education online. Niche named FHSU as America’s 30th best virtual institution and 289th top public school. Washington Monthly featured Fort Hays State the top 10 colleges for adult learners. The National Council on Teacher Quality placed FHSU in the top 71st percentile.
The College of Education accepts $40 applications on a rolling basis for post-grads with 2.5 or greater GPAs to enter 16 FHSU Online master’s degrees in education on Blackboard. The Mathematics Education M.S.E. builds a 33-credit, CAEP-accredited curriculum with eight-week online courses from Advanced Calculus to Abstract Algebra. The Reading Specialist M.S.E. leads to K-12 Kansas State Department of Education licensure after 36 online credits and the ETS Praxis II test. The 36-credit Educational Administration M.S.E. currently costs $298 per credit for teachers to achieve the Building Principal endorsement. Other online paths include the Gifted Education M.S.E., Chemistry Education M.S.E., and Nursing Education M.S.N.
8. Valdosta State University
Average Net Price: $13,240
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS, CAEP
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Bestowed the 2013 Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Ed Award, Valdosta State University is a public, doctoral-level USG school that serves 2,680 post-grad Blazers. The U.S. News & World Report featured VSU as the 128th best master’s in education online degrees. Niche named VSU the ninth most diverse and 14th most liberal college in Georgia. Washington Monthly ranked Valdosta State as the 242nd top national institution with the 114th most service. WalletHub recognized VSU for the 124th best cost and financing.
The Dewar College of Education utilizes the Center for eLearning to present 19 online education master’s degrees on D2L Brightspace with eight- to 16-week terms and a 20:1 student-faculty ratio. The M.Ed. in Adult & Career Education is a 36-credit, non-licensure online track for pursuing two specializations: Workforce Education or Business Education and Technology. The M.A.T. in Foreign Language Education has a 36-credit, CAEP-accredited online program for initial French or Spanish certification in grades 7-12. The M.Ed. in Elementary Education follows a 36-credit, 16-month online sequence for licensed K-5 teachers to advance pedagogical skills. Other online master’s degree programs include the M.A.T. in Special Education, M.Ed. in Health & Physical Education, and M.Ed. in Instructional Technology.
9. Adams State University
Average Net Price: $13,388
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC, NASM
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Named after Governor Billy Adams in 1921, Adams State University is a public, Hispanic-serving San Luis Valley school in Alamosa with a high 100 percent acceptance for post-grad Grizzlies. The U.S. News & World Report included Adams in the West’s top 113 colleges with the 36th best social mobility. Niche recognized Adams for the 198th most diverse student body. According to Intelligent.com, Adams State offers the 10th best online master’s education. Washington Monthly crowned Adams the 184th top regional value.
Adam State Online makes the Teacher Education Program 100 percent digital on Blackboard in eight- or 16-week formats for four master’s options. The Higher Education Administration & Leadership M.Ed. build ePortfolios with a 36-credit, cohort-based curriculum, and only one two-day Colorado residency. The Music Education M.A. has a 36-credit, NASMM-accredited online plan for already certified K-12 teachers to earn three specializations: Performance, Conducting, or Composition. The 36-credit Teacher Education M.A. admits teachers with a minimum of 2.5 GPAs thrice annually for Curriculum & Instruction, STEM, Culturally & Linguistically Diverse, and TESOL Education tracks.
10. University of the Cumberlands
Average Net Price: $13,476
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACSCOC
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Founded by Baptist ministers in 1888, the University of the Cumberlands is a private Christian university in Williamsburg, KY. Nearly 4000 students participate in the online graduate education program. The U.S. News & World Report included UC in the top 221 in Best Online Master’s in Education Programs. Niche recognized UC as the 9th best college in Kentucky. According to University HQ, the University of the Cumberlands ranks among the best online colleges in Kentucky.
The University of the Cumberlands has 2 online Master’s programs in the education area. The Master’s in Teaching (MAT) at UC has concentrations available for all grade levels as well as a corporate training concentration. Their online Master’s of the Arts in Education (MAEd) has 5 concentrations. Each concentration has different entrance requirements and various credit hour requirements.
