Why This Matters

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

Best Master's in Education Administration Degree Programs
01
Intelligent Pick
Mississippi College
01
Best Mentoring
Texas A&M International University
01
Best Hybrid Option
Georgia Southern University
01
Best for Endorsements
Wayne State College
01
Best No GRE Option
University of Wyoming
01
Best for Sports Admin
Midwestern State University
01
Best for Superintendents
University of Idaho
01
Best Practicum
Stony Brook University
01
Best Catholic Option
Caldwell University
01
Best Accelerated Option
Concordia University Wisconsin
01
Best Dual Option
University of Washington
01
Best Interdisciplinary Approach
The University of Texas at Austin
01
Best Residency Option
Department of Educational Administration & Human Resource Developmentat at Texas A&M University
01
Best for Higher Ed Administration
Iowa State University - School of Education
01
Best for Social Justice
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
01
Best Special Education Option
Chadron State College
01
Best Online Option
George Washington University
01
Best Non-Thesis Option
Sam Houston State University
01
Best Minor Option
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
01
Best in the Southwest
Arizona State University
01
Best Part-Time Option
Concordia University Irvine
01
Best Study Abroad Option
Fordham University
01
Most Innovative
The University of Kansas
01
Best for Military Members
National University
01
Best for Evenings
Old Dominion University
01
Best for Instructional Leadership
University of South Carolina
01
Best for Non-Teachers
University of Houston
01
Best Adult-Ed Specialization
University of South Dakota
01
Best Research Option
University of Southern Mississippi
01
Best Culminating Experience
Indiana State University
01
Best Urban School Focus
Michigan State University
01
Best for Alternative Settings
Northern Arizona University
01
Most Dynamic Option
NC State University
01
Most Flexible
University of Nebraska
01
Best for Community College Admin
New Mexico State University

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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.


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