Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration

BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION

Find top-ranked online master’s in educational administration degree programs for students looking to transition their careers into administration or leadership roles.

Top 10 Online Master's in Educational Administration Programs

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  1. Stony Brook University
  2. Texas A&M University
  3. University of Alabama
  4. University of Louisville
  5. University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  6. DePaul University
  7. Duquesne University
  8. University of Alabama at Birmingham
  9. Sam Houston State University
  10. Jackson State University
  1. Delta State University 100%
  2. Sam Houston State University 97%
  3. University of Southern Mississippi 96%
  4. Southern New Hampshire University 92%
  5. University of Alabama at Birmingham 89%
  6. Lamar University 88%
  7. University of Massachusetts Lowell 85%
  8. Murray State University 85%
  9. Duquesne University 84%
  10. William Paterson University 83%
  1. Southern New Hampshire University 21 to 1
  2. Sam Houston State University 21 to 1
  3. Concordia University Irvine 20 to 1
  4. University of Alabama at Birmingham 20 to 1
  5. University of Alabama 20 to 1
  6. Texas A&M University 19 to 1
  7. University of Louisville 19 to 1
  8. Stony Brook University 19 to 1
  9. Lamar University 19 to 1
  10. University of Massachusetts Lowell 19 to 1
  1. Duquesne University $43,526
  2. DePaul University $42,012
  3. Abilene Christian University $39,350
  4. Concordia University Irvine $38,740
  5. Andrews University $31,782
  6. Campbellsville University $25,000
  7. Mississippi College $20,364
  8. Southern New Hampshire University $15,380
  9. University of Massachusetts Lowell $15,078
  10. William Paterson University $13,776
  1. Andrews University $28,656
  2. Duquesne University $24,534
  3. Abilene Christian University $24,174
  4. Southern New Hampshire University $18,900
  5. DePaul University $17,951
  6. Kean University $15,752
  7. National University $15,480
  8. University of Massachusetts Lowell $14,590
  9. William Paterson University $13,618
  10. University of Louisville $13,524
  1. Campbellsville University
  2. Concordia University Irvine
  3. Delta State University
  4. William Paterson University
  5. Kean University
  6. National University
  7. Murray State University
  8. Abilene Christian University
  9. Mississippi College
  10. Lamar University
  1. Stony Brook University 48%
  2. Mississippi College 49%
  3. National University 55%
  4. Jackson State University 62%
  5. Texas A&M University 64%
  6. DePaul University 69%
  7. Abilene Christian University 70%
  8. University of Louisville 75%
  9. Campbellsville University 78%
  10. Youngstown State University 78%
  1. Andrews University 10 to 1
  2. Delta State University 11 to 1
  3. Abilene Christian University 13 to 1
  4. Duquesne University 13 to 1
  5. William Paterson University 13 to 1
  6. Campbellsville University 14 to 1
  7. Jackson State University 14 to 1
  8. Mississippi College 15 to 1
  9. University of Nebraska–Lincoln 16 to 1
  10. National University 16 to 1
  1. Sam Houston State University $5,856
  2. Lamar University $6,228
  3. Stony Brook University $7,070
  4. University of Nebraska–Lincoln $7,770
  5. Murray State University $8,040
  6. Jackson State University $8,270
  7. Delta State University $8,360
  8. University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,568
  9. Texas A&M University $8,578
  10. University of Southern Mississippi $9,094
  1. Sam Houston State University $5,765
  2. University of Nebraska–Lincoln $6,138
  3. Youngstown State University $6,453
  4. Lamar University $6,471
  5. Texas A&M University $6,885
  6. University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,100
  7. Delta State University $8,190
  8. Jackson State University $8,270
  9. Campbellsville University $8,473
  10. Concordia University Irvine $8,564

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Educational Administration Degrees

Educators seeking to transition their careers into administration or leadership roles can earn a master’s in educational administration. These programs focus on transitioning teachers from the classroom to the office through courses in administrative tasks, resource management, and curriculum design and evaluation.

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Candidates in this master’s program can expect to spend roughly two years completing the 30-36 hours required for their degree.

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Like many educational programs, there has been a shift toward online degrees that allow educators to teach full-time while earning this degree. Flexibility and access to online resources make an online option desirable for educators at all career stages.

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Learn more about what you can do with a master’s degree in education.

Best Online Master's in Educational Administration Degree Programs

Median Salaries of Similar Careers in the U.S.

The following graph depicts the average salaries of similar occupations to Education Administrators, Postsecondary in the U.S.

Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Annual Salary
53800Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
94730Education Administrators, All Other
102650Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
111260Education Administrators, Postsecondary
158970Architectural and Engineering Managers

Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration Degree Programs

  1. #1

    University of Alabama

    Tuscaloosa , AL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    35K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1200/27

    Online Degrees

    MA in Higher Education Administration
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. #3

    University of Louisville

    Louisville , KY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/24

    Online Degrees

    MA in Higher Education Administration
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. #5

    DePaul University

    Chicago , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    69%

    Graduation

    70%

    Student body

    19K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Public Service Management – Higher Education Administration

    Concentrations

    • Higher Education Administration
    • Emergency Management
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Metropolitan Planning And Urban Affairs
    • Required Credits: 104
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    102K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Higher Education Administration
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    22K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1215/25

    Online Degrees

    MA in Educational Administration

    Concentrations

    • Higher Education
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1209/26

    Online Degrees

    MS in Higher Education Administration
    • Required Credits: 39
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1230/26

    Online Degrees

    MeD in Education Administration
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. #13

    Kean University

    Union , NJ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1010/19

    Online Degrees

    MA in Educational Administration
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. #14

    Youngstown State University

    Youngstown , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/21

    Online Degrees

    MS in Education

    Concentrations

    • Educational Administration
    • Principal Licensure Option
    • Required Credits: 30-36
    • Completion time: 12 months
    • Format: Online
  10. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/24

    Online Degrees

    MEd in Higher Education Administration

    Concentrations

    • Academic Advising
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Student Affairs Leadership
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  11. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1125/24

    Online Degrees

    MA in Postsecondary Education Administration
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Human Development and Leadership

    Concentrations

    • Criminal Justice
    • Educational Administration (non-certification)
    • Educational Data Management and Analytics
    • Environmental Education (non-certification)
    • Industrial Supervision
    • Instructional Development (non-certification)
    • Intercultural Communications
    • Leadership Development
    • Non-Profit Leadership
    • Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    8K

    Online Degrees

    MA in Higher Education Administration

    Concentrations

    • Leadership Studies
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  13. #22

    National University

    La Jolla , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    55%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    25K

    Online Degrees

    MS in Educational Administration

    Concentrations

    • Nevada Endorsement as Administrator of a School Option NEVADA ONLY
    • Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Option CA Option
    • Required Credits: 45
    • Completion time: 2.5-3.5 years
    • Format: Online
    MS in Higher Education Administration
    • Required Credits: 45
    • Completion time: 2.5-3.5 years
    • Format: Online
  14. Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/23

    Online Degrees

    MA in Educational Administration
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.