Why This Matters

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

Best Master's in Educational Leadership Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
UF College of Education
01
Best Public Institution
FSU College of Education
01
Best Student Support Service
IU School of Education
01
Best in the Northeast
Montclair State University
01
Best Specialization Options
University of Cincinnati
01
Best Accelerated Program
University of North Texas
01
Best Private Institution
Queens University of Charlotte
01
Best for Transfer Students
University of Central Florida
01
Best Faculty
Penn State College of Education
01
Best in the South
University of Louisiana Monroe
01

Northwest Missouri State University
01

Mississippi College
01

University of Wyoming
01

Clemson University
01

Texas Tech University
01

Arkansas Tech University
01

University of West Florida
01

George Washington University
01

DePaul University
01

Penn State World Campus
01

Georgia College & State University
01

Southern Wesleyan University
01

Northern Arizona University
01

Kennesaw State University
01

Liberty University
01

Saint Joseph's University
01

University of Arkansas
01

New Jersey City University
01

Western Governors University
01

Webster University
01

University of Iowa College of Education
01

Colorado State University Global
01

Saint Leo University
01

University of St. Thomas
01

NSU Florida College of Education & School of Criminal Justice
01

Florida Atlantic University
01

Texas A&M University at Commerce
01

Louisiana State University
01

Old Dominion University
01

Trevecca Nazarene University
01

Lehigh University College of Education
01

The University of Texas
01

Arizona State University
01

University of New England
01

New Mexico State University
01

Boston University
01

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
01

The University of Alabama
01

University of the Southwest

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.