Why This Matters
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EDUCATION ADMINISTRATORS EARN ABOUT $95,410 PER YEAR
The average salary of postsecondary education administrators is more than twice the $39,810 national average salary of all other occupations.
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11,100 MORE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS ARE NEEDED OVER THE NEXT DECADE
With a growth rate of 4%, principals are needed to oversee educational institutions at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
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DEMAND FOR SCHOOL COUNSELORS TO INCREASE BY 8%
An expected rise in student enrollment will create a higher demand for school and career counselors who can help students develop critical academic and social skills.
Our Research
This list covers graduate programs in education administration that prepare students for advanced careers in education. These programs teach organizational management, leadership, and administrative skills. Degrees offered include master of education in educational administration, master of science in educational administration, and master of arts in educational administration.
Accreditation by national and regional organizations helps verify the quality of the curriculum taught at educational administration programs. Schools on our list are accredited by national accreditors such as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Others have received regional accreditation from organizations such as the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.
- 77 hours to write this article
- 202 universities and colleges we assessed
- 324 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Master’s in Education Administration Degree Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
When deciding whether to pursue a master’s in education administration, you should also consider the master’s in educational leadership. While education administration programs focus on managing schools as well as people, educational leadership specializes in ways to improve a school’s overall performance. Students who study educational leadership will learn data analysis, educational policy and laws, and strategic planning. In education administration programs, the emphasis is placed on organization, communication, and efficiency. While both programs prepare students for roles as principals, superintendents, or district-level leaders at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, graduates of educational leadership programs might also be qualified for senior roles in higher education.
Graduates will need to receive certification at the state level to be eligible for school leadership positions. Each state has individual requirements for administration and principal certification, and most require prospective leaders to pass exams that demonstrate their ability to run a school effectively.
The job outlook for principals and postsecondary education administrators is positive, as student enrollment is expected to increase over the next decade. Graduates who wish to become counselors will also have a positive job outlook, with an expected 8% job growth rate.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching master’s in education administration programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Students who wish to study education administration must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Most programs also require at least three years of teaching experience. Other requirements may include a minimum GPA and Graduate Records Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) score.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most master’s in education administration programs require two years of full-time study. The programs on our list require students to complete between 30 and 45 credits to graduate.
Make sure to turn in all application materials on time and research what additional information must be included with your application. Visit the school’s website to learn more about deadlines and prerequisites.
Consider how you will cover the costs of your graduate degree. Funding opportunities include scholarships, grants, and loans to reduce tuition fees. Certain school districts might also offer tuition reimbursement or tuition benefits to pay for the cost of your master’s degree.