Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Evan Castillo
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Updated on October 9, 2024
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The cheapest online educational leadership programs can get you into administrative and advising roles in preschool, K-12, and postsecondary education.

College is only getting more expensive, so finding the most affordable master’s degree to save you money with a high return on investment (ROI) is even more crucial than before. The cheapest online educational leadership programs are typically cheaper than in-person ones since you don’t have to account for travel, housing, and other campus-related expenses.

You can go into leadership roles like elementary and high school administration, a principal or superintendent, or postsecondary educational administration. If you’d like to work directly with students, you can also become an academic director, counselor, or advisor to students.

Featured Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

#1 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

University of Florida

  • Location-markerGainesville, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,477
  • Out-of-state$25,694
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,770
  • Out-of-state$27,335
  • Retention Rate97%
  • Acceptance Rate30%
  • Students Enrolled55,781
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment57%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Indiana University-Bloomington

  • Location-markerBloomington, IN
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,012
  • Out-of-state$37,685
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,033
  • Out-of-state$31,932
  • Retention Rate90%
  • Acceptance Rate83%
  • Students Enrolled47,041
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment48%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Florida State University

  • Location-markerTallahassee, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,616
  • Out-of-state$18,746
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,662
  • Out-of-state$26,657
  • Retention Rate94%
  • Acceptance Rate25%
  • Students Enrolled44,134
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment58%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

University of Central Florida

  • Location-markerOrlando, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,368
  • Out-of-state$19,810
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,916
  • Out-of-state$25,759
  • Retention Rate93%
  • Acceptance Rate41%
  • Students Enrolled68,010
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment9%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

  • Location-markerLa Crosse, WI
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,587
  • Out-of-state$16,405
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,651
  • Out-of-state$18,637
  • Retention Rate84%
  • Acceptance Rate82%
  • Students Enrolled10,296
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment46%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

San Diego State University

  • Location-markerSan Diego, CA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,742
  • Out-of-state$17,622
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,176
  • Out-of-state$19,140
  • Retention Rate89%
  • Acceptance Rate39%
  • Students Enrolled36,591
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment64%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  • Location-markerChampaign, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$12,254
  • Out-of-state$29,704
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$14,891
  • Out-of-state$29,176
  • Retention Rate93%
  • Acceptance Rate45%
  • Students Enrolled56,947
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment84%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

University of Iowa

  • Location-markerIowa City, IA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$8,356
  • Out-of-state$30,319
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,432
  • Out-of-state$29,379
  • Retention Rate88%
  • Acceptance Rate86%
  • Students Enrolled29,909
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment55%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

California State University-Sacramento

  • Location-markerSacramento, CA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,742
  • Out-of-state$17,622
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,176
  • Out-of-state$16,680
  • Retention Rate81%
  • Acceptance Rate94%
  • Students Enrolled32,498
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment94%
  • AccreditationYes
#10 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Florida Atlantic University

  • Location-markerBoca Raton, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,642
  • Out-of-state$19,642
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$5,467
  • Out-of-state$16,695
  • Retention Rate81%
  • Acceptance Rate81%
  • Students Enrolled29,501
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment65%
  • AccreditationYes
#11 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Oakland University

  • Location-markerRochester Hills, MI
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$15,135
  • Out-of-state$24,735
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$19,323
  • Out-of-state$24,648
  • Retention Rate73%
  • Acceptance Rate92%
  • Students Enrolled17,170
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment63%
  • AccreditationYes
#12 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

University of Wyoming

  • Location-markerLaramie, WY
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,800
  • Out-of-state$19,950
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$5,598
  • Out-of-state$16,740
  • Retention Rate75%
  • Acceptance Rate96%
  • Students Enrolled11,100
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment72%
  • AccreditationYes
#13 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

  • Location-markerBaton Rouge, LA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$8,047
  • Out-of-state$24,731
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,132
  • Out-of-state$9,132
  • Retention Rate84%
  • Acceptance Rate76%
  • Students Enrolled37,314
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment50%
  • AccreditationYes
#14 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

George Mason University

  • Location-markerFairfax, VA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,796
  • Out-of-state$33,960
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$13,426
  • Out-of-state$35,377
  • Retention Rate85%
  • Acceptance Rate90%
  • Students Enrolled39,238
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment78%
  • AccreditationYes
#15 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Towson University

  • Location-markerTowson, MD
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,238
  • Out-of-state$23,240
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,676
  • Out-of-state$17,964
  • Retention Rate82%
  • Acceptance Rate79%
  • Students Enrolled19,675
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment38%
  • AccreditationYes
#16 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

University of Missouri-Columbia

  • Location-markerColumbia, MO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,074
  • Out-of-state$30,441
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,447
  • Out-of-state$28,605
  • Retention Rate89%
  • Acceptance Rate79%
  • Students Enrolled31,344
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment63%
  • AccreditationYes
#17 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Lehigh University

  • Location-markerBethlehem, PA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$56,980
  • Out-of-state$56,980
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$27,000
  • Out-of-state$27,000
  • Retention Rate91%
  • Acceptance Rate37%
  • Students Enrolled7,394
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment19%
  • AccreditationYes
#18 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

California State University-East Bay

  • Location-markerHayward, CA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,742
  • Out-of-state$17,622
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,176
  • Out-of-state$16,680
  • Retention Rate80%
  • Acceptance Rate82%
  • Students Enrolled15,189
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment85%
  • AccreditationYes
#19 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Oklahoma State University

  • Location-markerStillwater, OK
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,417
  • Out-of-state$20,937
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$4,208
  • Out-of-state$15,836
  • Retention Rate84%
  • Acceptance Rate71%
  • Students Enrolled25,390
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment52%
  • AccreditationYes
#20 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

  • Location-markerEdinburg, TX
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,857
  • Out-of-state$20,097
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,002
  • Out-of-state$14,562
  • Retention Rate76%
  • Acceptance Rate87%
  • Students Enrolled31,387
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment78%
  • AccreditationYes
#21 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

University of North Carolina Wilmington

  • Location-markerWilmington, NC
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,443
  • Out-of-state$19,063
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$4,719
  • Out-of-state$19,104
  • Retention Rate83%
  • Acceptance Rate69%
  • Students Enrolled17,915
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment75%
  • AccreditationYes
#22 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Ramapo College of New Jersey

  • Location-markerMahwah, NJ
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$14,952
  • Out-of-state$24,694
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$19,085
  • Out-of-state$19,085
  • Retention Rate87%
  • Acceptance Rate70%
  • Students Enrolled5,732
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment85%
  • AccreditationYes
#23 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

The University of Texas at Arlington

  • Location-markerArlington, TX
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,206
  • Out-of-state$26,778
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,015
  • Out-of-state$22,167
  • Retention Rate71%
  • Acceptance Rate93%
  • Students Enrolled45,949
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment62%
  • AccreditationYes
#24 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Georgia College & State University

  • Location-markerMilledgeville, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,508
  • Out-of-state$26,688
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$5,292
  • Out-of-state$18,846
  • Retention Rate80%
  • Acceptance Rate80%
  • Students Enrolled6,405
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment35%
  • AccreditationYes
#25 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs

Western Governors University

  • Location-markerSalt Lake City, UT
  • 2 year
  • Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,162
  • Out-of-state$7,162
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,500
  • Out-of-state$7,765
  • Retention Rate73%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled150,116
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
  • AccreditationYes

badge-check How We Rank Schools

At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.

We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2022. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.

How Much Does a Master’s in Educational Leadership Cost?

An in-person master’s education can cost you a median of $35,700 per year, accounting for tuition, fees, housing, and course materials. Private nonprofit colleges cost more on average than public institutions before financial aid.

Fully online master’s degrees are typically cheaper than in-person by over 30%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The median cost of an online master’s degree is about $24,290 a year, saving you about $10,000 from the median in-person cost. Some of the cheapest online master’s degree programs range from $4,000 to $7,000 a year.

Total In-Person Master’s Degree Costs

Public Institutions (In 2023 Dollars)

$59,440

Private Institutions (In 2023 Dollars)

$85,400

Source: NCES & BestColleges

4 Ways to Help You Pay for Your Master’s in Educational Leadership

For grad school, you may have to pay the full price — or sticker price — for college. However, there are federal and state opportunities for free money to help you pay for your education. While many people take out loans, try out these ways first to get money you don’t have to pay back.

FAFSA

The go-to financial aid application is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This application determines eligibility for financial aid from the federal government through grants, work-study programs, and loans. Colleges and universities also use your FAFSA to determine scholarships and other aid awards.

Note: If you are an undocumented student, you won’t be able to fill out your FAFSA. Check to see if your state offers state financial aid for undocumented students.

Grants

Your school may offer grant opportunities after you complete the FAFSA. Grants are non-repayable gifts by an organization to fund your projects or education. You typically have to write a proposal to the organization for the grant, and winning isn’t guaranteed.

Work-Study Programs

Federal work-study programs offer low-income students part-time work at their school or an outside organization. Earned income can go directly to tuition costs, or you can deposit it in your bank account. You may work as a research assistant, tutor, office support staff, and more.

Scholarships

There are numerous scholarship opportunities available for you in the educational field. Professional associations, educational organizations, colleges, and universities offer this merit-based financial aid assistance. For example, the American Association of School Administrators grants a $2,500 scholarship to graduate students intending to become school superintendents.

How Much Can You Make With a Master’s in Educational Leadership?

You can find careers in education administration from the preschool level to the college level. If administration isn’t your speed, you can also become an educational, guidance, or career counselor or advisor. Here are just a few jobs from the Bureau of Labor Statistics ranging from highest to lowest paid.

Possible Careers and Salaries for Master’s in Educational Leadership Graduates
Job TitleMedian Annual Salary (May 2023)Job Growth Rate (2023-2033)
K-12 Education Administrators$103,460Little or no change
Postsecondary Education Administrators$102,6103% to 5%
Education Administrators, All Other$88,4603% to 5%
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$61,7103% to 5%
Education and Childcare Administrators in Preschool and Daycare$54,290-1%
Directors in Religious Activities and Education$50,1401% to 2%
Source: BLS, ONET

Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Online Master’s in Educational Leadership

An online master’s in educational leadership is worth it, depending on what field and academic level you pursue. The median cost of an online master’s degree is about $24,290 a year. This means you can earn a high ROI for K-12 and postsecondary education administrators, where the median salary is above $100,000 a year.


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