Most Affordable Online Master's In Education Degrees

Prospective graduate students searching for flexibility might consider Lynchburg, Virginia-based Liberty University, a private Christian institution. Remote learners at Liberty can choose from 68 online master's degrees, including an M.Ed. in general education. This nonlicensure program accommodates busy professionals' scheduling needs.

M.Ed. applicants usually need a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field. Once accepted to the program, students complete a rigorous curriculum that immerses them in the kind of advanced knowledge and field preparation a bachelor’s alone cannot provide. In addition to enhancing career prospects, this program prepares graduates for a doctoral degree.

Graduate students at Liberty pay about $7,935 per year in tuition, and learners can consult the school's financial aid office to find out if they qualify for grants and scholarships. Degree-seekers can also pursue loans from the government or private banks.

A public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. Distance learners at Illinois can choose from 30 master's degrees available online. One of these is a 32-credit master's degree in education.

Master's candidates in the education program can work toward their academic goals while attending to busy lives outside of the classroom. Recorded lecture sessions may be available to allow viewing at any time, and enrollees can typically complete coursework at their own pace within assignment deadlines. Rigorous classes explore areas like diversity and equity in education, digital learning, and learning design.

According to the latest data, Illinois accepts about 63% of applicants each year, but that percentage may vary by program. Interested learners need a bachelor's degree in order to be considered for the education master's program, and other requirements may apply. Applicants may need to participate in an interview and submit official transcripts and letters of recommendation.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) is a leader in online graduate education, offering 15 remote master's programs. The public university's master of education in early childhood intervention and family support caters to experienced teachers, both licensed and nonlicensed.

The 33-36-credit program allows students to earn an advanced degree without sacrificing academic rigor or outside obligations. Enrollees can choose from a hybrid format that combines online and on-campus instruction or a fully online program with synchronous afternoon classes. Strong career preparation in high-need areas is a key feature of the program.

UNC-Chapel Hill accepts about 25% of applicants per year, but some programs may vary. Master of education candidates typically hold a bachelor's in the field or in a related discipline. Application details are available on the program's webpage and from the university's admissions department.

Education students from around the country attend Johns Hopkins University's master's program in education policy. This degree provides learners with advanced knowledge and training required for many higher-level job opportunities in the field. If they choose, graduates with a master's degree can also pursue a doctorate later on.

The master's in education policy's online format attracts working students seeking advanced education. Emphasizing personalized learning and faculty support, the 33-36-credit program offers both full-time and part-time tracks. Students can usually complete their degrees in one to two years. Classes take place entirely online, with one weeklong residency in Washington, D.C.

Prospective students need a bachelor’s degree to apply to this program. Johns Hopkins is a selective-admission school, accepting about 11% of applicants overall. With tuition of about $57,010 per year, financial aid options such as loans and scholarships can help Johns Hopkins students fund their education.

Based in East Lansing, Michigan State University (MSU) emphasizes flexibility and accessibility. MSU faculty deliver 21 online master's degrees, including a master of arts program in educational technology. People who may have experienced challenges pursuing graduate school because of their hectic schedules can access several learning formats to suit varying needs. Geared toward practicing educators, this program offers fully online, summer hybrid, and summer overseas options. 

While criteria vary depending on the degree, master’s programs generally require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree. A bachelor’s alone cannot provide the kind of advanced training students receive in a graduate program, such as the master's degree in educational technology. This credential can help students advance in their careers or lay the foundation for a doctorate or other terminal degree.

MSU keeps tuition competitive with a cost of $18,858 per year for Michigan residents and $37,056 per year for out-of-state students. Learners can contact the financial aid department to find out more about eligibility for grants and scholarships. MSU enrollees may also consider federal or private loans.

The University of South Carolina (UofSC)  administers online degrees from its campus in Columbia. The public university's 28 online master's degrees include a master of education (M.Ed.) in teaching. Designed for current education professionals, the program’s appeal includes a flexible online format that allows degree-seekers to work and pursue other responsibilities.

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree in education or a related major. The M.Ed. program provides advanced preparation through an intensive curriculum that includes opportunities for research and hands-on experience. Candidates can pursue a specialization in English for speakers of other languages, literacy and reading, multicultural contexts in reading, or project-based learning. This credential can lay the foundation for a doctorate or other terminal degree.

Average UofSC tuition is $13,737 per year for students living in South Carolina and $29,760 for out-of-state enrollees. South Carolina certified teachers receive a tuition discount, and many learners get help financing their degrees through grants and scholarships, both from the school and outside sources. Loans offer a further option to help fund students’ educational costs.

Students can choose from a variety of online graduate degrees at the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton. The university's MS in early childhood education can help people with a bachelor’s in education or a related field advance their educations and careers. Enrollees can complete the graduate curriculum remotely, ensuring they have more control over their schedules.

Mater's candidates complete specialized coursework and training focused on advanced theoretical concepts and practices in early childhood education. This degree may position graduates for career advancement in administration, research, advocacy, and teaching.

UNT charges about $6,350 per year for Texas residents, and out-of-state students pay $13,712. Financial aid such as grants and scholarships helps many degree-seekers at UNT afford their education. Enrollees can also access student loans, an option taken up by about 49% of degree-seekers at this institution.

The flexible programs at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) allow graduate students to earn a degree while they work and maintain other obligations. The school delivers eight online master's degrees, including a master of education in higher education. Aimed at experienced higher education professionals, this fully remote program accommodates degree-seekers’ need for flexibility with a format that offers accessibility from wherever they live.

Candidates in the master's program engage in intensive coursework that prepares them for more advanced career opportunities than an undergraduate degree allows. Emphasizing equity and social justice in higher education, the program also provides the foundational knowledge for a Ph.D.

UMass Amherst charges Massachusetts residents $14,014 per year and out-of-state residents $30,120 per year. Learners can pay for their education with institutional and external grants and scholarships. Many students may also consider loans as an option to afford tuition.

A private institution, Boston University (BU) makes earning a graduate education degree more accessible by emphasizing flexibility. Among the academic programs available at BU are 26 online master's degrees. The university's master's degree in curriculum and teaching features primarily asynchronous coursework with some live sessions. Catering to practicing educators, this 36-credit program offers seven specialization tracks, including elementary education, special education, and science education. 

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s in the major or a related degree unless otherwise stated on the program's homepage or admissions website. It takes about 18-24 months to complete the program, after which graduates can pursue a doctorate or other terminal degree.

Tuition at BU costs $56,854 per year. Learners can meet with the financial aid department to find out if they qualify for grants and scholarships. Loans may also be available to help students pay for all or part of the program.

Martin Luther College (MLC), a private Lutheran college located in New Ulm, Minnesota, specializes in academically rigorous programs with a Christ-centered perspective. One of three master's degrees available online through MLC, the school's master of science in education embraces an accessible, customizable format. Master's candidates can choose an optional emphasis in leadership, special education, instruction, or educational technology. 

Online education can help graduate students accomplish goals that may otherwise seem unachievable because of logistical issues. Professionals, caretakers, and other workers can complete their studies during evenings, weekends, and other convenient times. Students receive the same advanced education as their on-campus peers in preparation for higher-level occupations.

A bachelor’s degree in the field or a related undergraduate degree is the usual threshold for entry into a master’s program. The department can tell you more about application requirements such as transcripts, interviews, and recommendation letters. MLC accepts 87% of applicants on average each year.