Why This Matters
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START A CAREER IN COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION
There are over 18 million postsecondary students in the United States. Colleges and universities need administrators such as deans, provosts, and registrars, positions that typically require an advanced degree.
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15K NEW INSTRUCTIONAL COORDINATORS NEEDED
Instructional coordinators oversee development and implementation of curricula, primarily in elementary and secondary schools. Demand for this position is expected to increase 7% by 2031.
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EARN $30,000+ MORE ANNUALLY AS A PRINCIPAL
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median salary for school principals is $98,420. By comparison, teachers earn an average annual salary of $61,820, depending on grade level.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online Master’s in Educational Leadership programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. Many of the schools on our list have been accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of education-related programs.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online Master’s in Educational Leadership programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The Top 69 Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
As anyone who currently works in education knows, being a principal or administrator can be an extremely demanding job. School leaders must be capable of making decisions, resolving conflicts, and dealing with students, teachers, and parents, often with limited resources.
Because of the complex nature of this job, the process of becoming a school principal is carefully regulated by states, which each develop their own standards for granting certification or licensure as a school administrator. These standards include educational requirements. When researching programs, it’s important to check with your state’s education board to confirm that the program you attend is compliant with their regulations for certification or licensure.
As part of these standards, most states require a practical learning component in your degree program, even if all coursework is offered online. Depending on the program, you may be able to complete this requirement where you currently teach, or you may need to work in a different institution. Either way, you should confirm the exact requirements with your program of interest and make sure they will fit into your schedule.
Although all schools need principals and vice-principals, the projected job growth rate for these positions is 5 percent, about as fast as the average for all jobs in the U.S., meaning there will be stiff competition for these positions.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching Master’s in Educational Leadership programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Many master’s in education leadership programs seek students who are already licensed and have teaching experience. Check with your program of interest to find out what their requirements are and if you fulfill them.
- Is this school authorized to provide online education in my state? Regulations for providing online education vary state by state, and not all schools are authorized to provide online education to students in all states. Check with your program of interest to verify they can grant you a degree based on the state you live in and that your state will recognize your degree.
While you are researching programs’ plans of study, you should also look at their application deadlines and admissions requirements. This information is usually available online, or you can contact the school’s admissions department.
Now is also an ideal time to explore options for financing your graduate degree. These funding resources can include scholarships, assistantships, loans, grants, and tuition assistance benefits from your current employer.