Why This Matters

  • 44% OF EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR JOBS REQUIRE POST-MASTER’S CREDENTIALS

    Almost half of education administration positions require at least a post-master’s certificate, according to data from O*NET. Another 37% only require a master’s degree.

  • 4% EXPECTED JOB GROWTH

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that jobs for both secondary and postsecondary education administrators will continue to grow at 4%, which is considered average.

  • AVERAGE SALARY EXPECTATIONS ARE OVER $90,000Median salary estimates for education administrators, including K-12 principals as well as college administrators, are in the $90,000-$100,000 range.

Our Research

The programs on our list award a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership or a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration. All of the options listed below can be completed entirely online, and there are some that also offer hybrid formats.

We selected programs that have been accredited by institutions such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

  • 52 hours to write this article
  • 200 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 378 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Online Doctorate in Educational Administration Programs

Best Online Doctorate in Educational Administration Programs Badge
01
Intelligent Pick
Texas Tech University
01
Best in the Midwest
Andrews University
01
Best Value
Appalachian State University
01
Best in the South
Carson-Newman University
01
Best for Educational Technology
Central Michigan University
01
Best in the West
Concordia University Irvine
01
Best in the Mid Atlantic
Drexel University
01
Best for Senior-Level Admin
East Carolina University
01
Best for School System Leadership
East Tennessee State University
01
Best for Applied Research
Florida State University
01
Best in the Midwest
Indiana State University
01
Best Nurse Educator Program
Rowan University
01
Best Cohort Program
Texas A&M University-Commerce
01
Best in the Northeast
University of Massachusetts Lowell
01
Best for Working Teachers
University of Arkansas
01
Best Blended Program
University of Florida
01
Best in the Southwest
New Mexico State University
01
Best Evening Option
University of Kentucky
01
Best for Community College Admin
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
01
Best for Curriculum/Instruction
University of North Carolina Wilmington
01
Best for Sport Leadership
University of North Dakota
01
Best for Equitable Education
University of Southern California
01
Best Christian Option
Abilene Christian University
01
Best for Ethical Leadership
Aspen University
01
Best for District Leadership
Capella University
01
Best for Research
Arkansas State University
01
Best Graduate Assistantships
Ball State University
01
Best Non-Traditional Option
Umass Global
01
Best Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Endicott College
01
Best Residency
George Fox University
01
Best for Adult Learners
Trident University International
01
Best for Specialized Study
City University of Seattle
01
Best for Transformational Leadership
Monmouth University
01
Best for Urban Schools
Clark Atlanta University
01
Best Specialization Options
University of the Cumberlands
01
Best for Post-Secondary Education
Clemson University
01
Best Hybrid Option
Samford University
01
Most Customizable
College of Saint Mary
01
Best for Higher Education Admin
Tennessee State University
01
Best for Vets
Concordia University Chicago
01
Best Interdisciplinary Option
Creighton University
01
Best No-GRE Option
University of Missouri
01
Best for Dissertation Support
Edgewood College
01
Best License Option
UNC Greensboro
01
Best for an Accelerated Degree
Gwynedd Mercy University
01
Best for Music Education
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota
01
Best Consortium Program
Lamar University
01
Best Start Dates
Liberty University
01
Best Minor Options
Nova Southeastern University
01
Best for Development Education
Sam Houston State University

What You Should Know About This Degree

A similar degree to a doctorate in educational administration is a doctorate in education. The main difference is that an educational administration program focuses on the systems of leadership within education and being able to support teachers, while a doctorate in education will focus more on theories of learning.

Regional accreditations are generally preferred by employers, so look for accreditations at the regional level, such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The job outlook for educational administrators is good, with growth expected to be along the average range compared to all other occupations. This means it may be easier to find an open position.

Most employers at the K-12 level will be looking for you to be a licensed teacher in your state in addition to your doctorate degree. You may also need to get certified as a school administrator.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching online doctorate in educational administration programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? To be eligible for a doctorate in educational administration program, you’ll need a master’s degree in a relevant field. You may also need a certain number of years of work experience and an active teaching license.
  • How long does it take to complete this online degree? The programs on our list range from 51 credits to 67 credits. For most people, this will take around two years of full-time study to complete. If a dissertation is required, this could increase the length of the program.

Another thing to keep in mind as you start the application process is that programs usually have very specific deadlines. You’ll have to provide documentation of your master’s degree, teaching license, and possibly some test scores, and that can take time to get together. If you want to do an assistantship or require loans to fund your doctorate program, you’ll also need to keep track of the deadlines for that.