Most Affordable Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs of 2025

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.