Best Master's in Educational Leadership and Administration Programs by Degrees Awarded

1. 1

   American College of Education

   Indianapolis, INPrivate for-profitOnline available

   • 1,074Master's/yr
   • $60,510Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education in Educational Leadership
   • Higher Learning Commission-accredited
   • Online
   About the program

   American College of Education offers an online Master of Education in Educational Leadership aimed at educators pursuing principal roles, with a 34-credit sequence that can be completed in roughly 14 to 17 months. A required internship and practicum capstone anchors the program, and state-specific internship courses for Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Texas align the field experience with local expectations. The degree is approved for principal licensure in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Texas, while students elsewhere may need to satisfy additional state requirements. The institution is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The relatively short timeline and embedded, state-aligned practicum make this a program built for working teachers moving efficiently toward administrative licensure. Earning a master's degree in educational leadership and administration is a common route toward becoming one of Indiana's education administrators.

   Why it ranks here

   For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 1,074 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,510, roughly $63,231 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
2. 2

   Lamar University

   Beaumont, TXPublicOnline available

   • 770Master's/yr
   • Master of Education in Educational Administration
   • On-campus
   About the program

   Lamar University offers an online Master of Education in Educational Administration that builds Texas principal certification directly into its 30 semester-hour curriculum. The single-track program is designed for certified teachers with at least two years of classroom experience, who prepare for the TExES principal exam as part of the degree. A 160-hour practicum carried out in TEA-accredited public or private schools puts candidates into authentic administrative work, and a required campus mentor, a principal or designee, observes and evaluates those field experiences. That mentor-guided, school-based structure signals a program that treats certification as something earned through supervised practice rather than coursework alone. The fully online delivery keeps it within reach for teachers who continue working while they study. The department separately offers an Ed.D. with an Educational Technology Innovation concentration for those aiming beyond the principalship. This master's-level educational leadership and administration program prepares graduates for work as education administrators in Texas.

   Why it ranks here

   A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 770 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

   School site
3. 3

   Grand Canyon University

   Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitOnline available

   • 670Master's/yr
   • $59,180Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Education in Educational Administration
   • HLC (institutional); aligned to PSEL 2015-accredited
   • Hybrid
   About the program

   Grand Canyon University offers a Master of Education in Educational Administration, a 36-credit program built to prepare candidates for principal licensure through a strong clinical core. Fieldwork is central and cumulative: three embedded 100-hour internships add up to 300 total hours integrated across the curriculum, so candidates are consistently practicing leadership in schools rather than saving it for the end. The program is delivered flexibly, in a six-week online course format as well as evening on-campus classes, and it frames its preparation through servant leadership and a Christian worldview. Because the licensure track requires verification of teaching experience, relevant certification, state-mandated exams, and fingerprint clearance for internships, it clearly targets working educators moving into administration. GCU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and the curriculum is aligned with the 2015 Professional Standards for Educational Leaders. A master's-level path in educational leadership and administration, it builds toward a career among education administrators in Arizona.

   Why it ranks here

   Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 670 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,180, roughly $57,281 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
4. 4

   Western Governors University

   Salt Lake City, UTPrivate nonprofitOnline available

   • 623Master's/yr
   • $77,920Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Science in Educational Leadership
   • Online
   About the program

   Western Governors University offers an online Master of Science in Educational Leadership built on its competency-based model, in which students progress by demonstrating mastery rather than logging seat time. The program prepares candidates for principal and school administrator certification and requires a current state-issued professional teaching license along with three years of licensed P-12 experience, marking it as a step-up credential for established educators. Its curriculum aligns with National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards and the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL), and a two-part practicum places candidates under a practicing principal for hands-on leadership experience. A dedicated program mentor supports each student, and a flat-rate tuition model of $4,125 per six-month term rewards those who move quickly. The program is not accepted for licensure in Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota. This master's-level educational leadership and administration program prepares graduates for work as education administrators in Utah.

   Why it ranks here

   Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 623 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Salt Lake City-Murray, UT, where elementary teachers earn a median $77,920, roughly $77,249 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
5. 5

   Northwest Missouri State University

   Maryville, MOPublicOnline available

   • 221Master's/yr
   • Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
   • Online
   About the program

   Northwest Missouri State University offers a fully online Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership designed for certified teachers who want to earn Missouri leadership certification quickly. The 30-credit program runs entirely in accelerated seven-week terms, ten courses in all, and motivated students can finish in as few as twelve months. AAQEP accreditation and recognition from both Missouri DESE and the Higher Learning Commission give the credential standing for building-level leadership. More than 96 hours of field experience are woven through the coursework, and candidates cap the program with a choice between a guaranteed-and-viable curriculum audit or a supervised K-12 leadership practicum. The compressed pacing, embedded fieldwork, and single building-level focus mark this as a program built for working teachers accelerating into the principalship. A master's-level path in educational leadership and administration, it builds toward a career among education administrators in Missouri.

   Why it ranks here

   A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 221 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

   School site
6. 6

   Louisiana State University-Shreveport

   Shreveport, LAPublic

   • 197Master's/yr
   • Master of Education in Educational Leadership
   • Online
   About the program

   Louisiana State University Shreveport offers a Master of Education in Educational Leadership, a 34 credit-hour online program that can be completed in roughly twelve months. The degree is CAEP-accredited and built around the ELCC and PSEL leadership standards, and it serves as the first step in the Louisiana principal and school leader certification process, with graduates separately sitting for exams such as the PRAXIS. Students choose between a general track and a Teacher Leader track, a split that lets candidates aim either for the principalship or for leadership from within the classroom. The standards-aligned curriculum and the waiver of GRE and GMAT requirements point to a program calibrated for practicing teachers seeking an efficient, credential-focused path. Its brisk one-year timeline reinforces a design meant to move working educators into leadership quickly. Earning a master's degree in educational leadership and administration is a common route toward becoming one of Louisiana's education administrators.

   Why it ranks here

   Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 197 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

   School site
7. 7

   The University of Texas at Arlington

   Arlington, TXPublic

   • 196Master's/yr
   • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
   • Online
   About the program

   The University of Texas at Arlington offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies designed for working professionals who want to advance quickly. The 30 credit-hour, non-thesis degree runs in an accelerated online format that can be finished in as few as 12 months, with evening course offerings that accommodate full-time educators. Candidates choose between a PK-12 principal certificate emphasis and a higher education administration track, and the department extends its reach further with a B.A.-to-Ph.D. option and a dual MSW/M.Ed. pathway. The principal certification track is non-thesis and aligned with Texas Administrative Code Section 241.15, preparing candidates for Texas principal and assistant principal certification. CAEP accreditation and approvals from the UT System, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Texas Education Agency, and the State Board for Educator Certification back the program. Graduates of this educational leadership and administration program at the master's level often go on to work as education administrators.

   Why it ranks here

   A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 196 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

   School site
8. 8

   Southeastern Oklahoma State University

   Durant, OKPublicOnline available

   • 174Master's/yr
   • Master of Education in Educational Leadership
   • Online
   About the program

   Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers a Master of Education in Educational Leadership delivered fully online, structured as three tracks that let candidates match the degree to their career plans. The 30 credit-hour Academic Track suits educators who want advanced study without pursuing certification, while the Professional Track prepares candidates for Oklahoma principal certification. For those aiming higher, the 45 credit-hour Principal and Superintendent Certification track adds a school-based internship and points toward both principal and superintendent credentials. Accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the program waives the GRE and does not require a teaching certificate for admission, opening the door to a wider range of aspiring leaders. The tiered design reads as built for working teachers who want to move into administration at the pace and level that fits them. Earning a master's degree in educational leadership and administration is a common route toward becoming one of Oklahoma's education administrators.

   Why it ranks here

   For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 174 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

   School site
9. 9

   Concordia University-Chicago

   River Forest, ILPrivate nonprofitOnline available

   • 174Master's/yr
   • $78,390Metro teacher pay
   • Master of Arts in Educational Administration
   • Online
   About the program

   Concordia University Chicago offers a Master of Arts in Educational Administration, a 30-credit online program designed to be finished in about 24 months. Rather than dividing into tracks, it moves every student through one unified curriculum spanning instructional leadership, curriculum assessment, school finance, ethics, and human resources management. The program is upfront that it does not lead to state licensure, which frames it as a route to administrative knowledge and advancement rather than a principal credential. A required capstone project closes the degree, asking candidates to demonstrate command of the full body of coursework. Its online delivery and steady two-year arc suit working educators who want a broad grounding in school administration on a predictable schedule. Earning a master's degree in educational leadership and administration is a common route toward becoming one of Illinois's education administrators.

   Why it ranks here

   A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 174 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,390, roughly $75,670 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

   Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

   School site
10. 10

    Montclair State University

    Montclair, NJPublic

    • 156Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
    • CAEP-accredited
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Montclair State University offers a 36-credit Master of Arts in Educational Leadership that meets the academic requirements for New Jersey Principal and Supervisor Administrative Services Certifications. What stands out is how many ways a candidate can complete it: a Core Choice hybrid option, a 14-month Fast Track cohort, a fully online path, and off-site cohorts run in partnership with school districts. Internships and field experiences set in authentic school settings keep the leadership training grounded in daily practice, and a 24-credit completion pathway exists for those who already hold the Supervisor Certificate. The CAEP-accredited program has drawn national notice, ranked first in New Jersey and fifth nationally for Best Online Master's in Education by U.S. News & World Report in 2026. Taken together, the flexible formats and district partnerships mark it as a program engineered around the realities of working educators moving into leadership. A master's-level path in educational leadership and administration, it builds toward a career among education administrators in New Jersey.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 156 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
11. 11

    Emporia State University

    Emporia, KSPublic

    • 148Master's/yr
    • $56,450State teacher pay
    • Master of Science in Educational Administration
    • Online
    About the program

    Emporia State University offers a Master of Science in Educational Administration, an accelerated online program for licensed educators moving toward building-level leadership. Designed for those already holding a current state-issued teaching or related professional license, the 33-credit curriculum can be completed in as little as 12 months, a pace that appeals to working teachers ready to advance quickly. Eleven courses, including School Leadership Theory, School Systems Management, and Educational Law and Regulations, build the legal, organizational, and instructional grounding a PreK-12 principal needs. The program prepares graduates for building-level licensure across the PreK-12 span. Its compact, fast-track structure reads as a purposeful step for experienced educators who know they want to lead a school. Earning a master's degree in educational leadership and administration is a common route toward becoming one of Kansas's education administrators.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 148 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Kansas statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $56,450, roughly $62,675 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
12. 12

    Liberty University

    Lynchburg, VAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 142Master's/yr
    • $50,470Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Administration and Supervision
    • Online
    About the program

    Liberty University offers a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision designed to lead teachers toward Virginia advanced licensure in educational administration. The CAEP-accredited program is delivered fully online across 36 credits, with eight-week and full-semester course options and up to half of the credits transferable, features that suit working educators and those bringing prior graduate study. Admission requires a current Virginia teaching license and two years of experience, and candidates licensed in other states are expected to obtain Virginia credentials while enrolled. Practicums and a required three-credit internship are embedded in the coursework, keeping the degree grounded in the practical work of school leadership. Instruction emphasizes Christian leadership principles, reflecting the university's faith-based approach to preparing administrators. Graduates of this educational leadership and administration program at the master's level often go on to work as education administrators.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 142 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Lynchburg, VA, where elementary teachers earn a median $50,470, roughly $56,478 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
13. 13

    Southern New Hampshire University

    Manchester, NHPrivate nonprofit

    • 134Master's/yr
    • $72,410State teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership concentration
    • New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)-accredited
    • Online
    About the program

    Southern New Hampshire University offers a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an Educational Leadership concentration, where three of the twelve courses focus on leadership within a broader curriculum-focused degree. The 36-credit program runs fully online in ten-week terms and is aligned with the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and the National Policy Board for Educational Administration standards. It is explicitly a post-licensure program, designed not to confer certification but to deepen the practice of already-certified teachers and K-12 professionals. Up to twelve prior graduate credits transfer in, easing the path for educators who have coursework behind them. The post-licensure framing and curriculum-first structure characterize a program for practicing educators who want to strengthen instructional leadership rather than pursue an administrator's license. A master's-level path in educational leadership and administration, it builds toward a career among education administrators in New Hampshire.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 134 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New Hampshire statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $72,410, roughly $69,515 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
14. 14

    Gardner-Webb University

    Boiling Springs, NCPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 106Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in School Administration
    • On-campus
    About the program

    Gardner-Webb University offers a fully online Master of Arts in School Administration with no face-to-face meetings, leading to North Carolina licensure as a School Administrator once the state's Praxis requirement is completed. The standard path runs 36 credit hours across five semesters, roughly 20 months, keeping working educators enrolled while they remain in their schools. Candidates who already hold an education-related master's can transfer up to 12 credits and finish in three semesters, about a year, an accelerated route that rewards prior graduate study. The wholly remote format and flexible timelines make the degree an accessible option for teachers moving into principal and administrative roles. Graduates of this educational leadership and administration program at the master's level often go on to work as education administrators.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 106 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
15. 15

    Concordia University-Irvine

    Irvine, CAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 104Master's/yr
    • $101,860Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Arts in Educational Leadership: Social Emotional Learning, Character, and Ethics
    • Online
    About the program

    Concordia University Irvine offers a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Social Emotional Learning, Character, and Ethics, developed in partnership with the university's Servant Leadership Institute. The 30-unit program is fully online and asynchronous, completable in about ten months, which frames it as a fast, flexible option for educators who want to lead through culture and values rather than pursue a state administrative credential. A cohort structure and a culminating capstone keep the experience connected and applied, while the servant-leadership emphasis gives it a distinct ethical center of gravity. The program welcomes both credentialed and non-credentialed applicants and requires no GRE, widening the door to educators from varied backgrounds. It does not itself confer a state administrative credential, positioning it as leadership formation rather than a licensure route. A master's-level path in educational leadership and administration, it builds toward a career among education administrators in California.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 104 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
16. 16

    University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, PAPrivate nonprofit

    • 101Master's/yr
    • $78,570Metro teacher pay
    • School Leadership, M.S.Ed.
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education offers a School Leadership M.S.Ed. structured as an intensive 11-month cohort for aspiring leaders in both public and independent schools. Its hybrid schedule blends monthly weekend sessions in Philadelphia, monthly virtual evening meetings, and a two-week summer intensive, a rhythm built to let working educators pursue the degree without leaving their positions. Students choose an Independent School Track or a Public/Charter School Track, with an optional Principal Certification-Only Track, and those in the public and charter pathway can pursue eligibility for state principal certification. One-to-one mentoring and a practitioner research project carried out in the student's own school ground the program in applied leadership rather than theory alone. The compressed timeline and dual-track design make it a focused option for practitioners ready to step into school leadership quickly. Earning a master's degree in educational leadership and administration is a common route toward becoming one of Pennsylvania's education administrators.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 101 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,570, roughly $76,613 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
17. 17

    Bank Street College of Education

    New York, NYPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 101Master's/yr
    • $96,900Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Science in Education / Master of Education in Educational Leadership
    • New York State Education Department-registered program-accredited
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Bank Street College of Education offers a Master of Science in Education and Master of Education in Educational Leadership that make reflective practice the foundation of how leaders are prepared. Rather than a single generic track, the program splits into distinct paths in Progressive Leadership, Early Childhood Leadership, and Leadership in Mathematics Education, letting educators anchor their study in the setting they know best. That structure, with tracks ranging from 30 to 37 credits and a hybrid schedule, reads as built for practicing educators moving deliberately into leadership roles. The Early Childhood Leadership track carries the School Building Leader certification, giving candidates a clear route to state credentialing. Registered with the New York State Education Department, the degree pairs Bank Street's developmental, child-centered philosophy with the credentials schools require. This master's-level educational leadership and administration program prepares graduates for work as education administrators in New York.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 101 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
18. 18

    University of Central Florida

    Orlando, FLPublic

    • 100Master's/yr
    • $60,190Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Educational Leadership
    • On-campus
    About the program

    The University of Central Florida offers a Master of Education in Educational Leadership, an on-campus program whose evening courses signal a design for teachers who stay in the classroom by day and study leadership by night. Students move through a cohort together on a structured sequence, an arrangement that builds a peer network among aspiring administrators and keeps the group progressing in step. The 36-credit minimum pairs 30 credits of core coursework with a six-credit administrative internship in K-12 schools, so theory is tested in the settings graduates aim to lead. Coursework is aligned to the Florida Educational Leadership Standards and the FELE competencies, and passing the FELE is required for graduation. The result is a locally rooted, certification-focused path to Florida Level I Educational Leadership credentials. This master's-level educational leadership and administration program prepares graduates for work as education administrators in Florida.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 100 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,190, roughly $59,348 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
19. 19

    University of West Alabama

    Livingston, ALPublic

    • 94Master's/yr
    • $61,380State teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Instructional Leadership
    • CAEP; SACSCASI recognized; SARA-accredited
    • Online
    About the program

    The University of West Alabama offers a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership, an online program built for practicing Alabama teachers stepping into school administration. Admission requires a valid Class B Professional Educator Certificate, signaling that the 34-credit sequence is designed for certified educators rather than newcomers to the classroom. An embedded internship and residency (IL 578/579) anchors the coursework in real school settings, and candidates assemble a comprehensive LiveText portfolio that is juried by a committee of university and P-12 school leaders before any certification recommendation is made. Graduates who pass the required Praxis exam earn the Alabama Class A Professional Educator Certificate in instructional leadership. The program is recognized under CAEP and delivered fully online through SARA authorization. As a master's degree in educational leadership and administration, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as education administrators in Alabama.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 94 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Alabama statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,380, roughly $69,104 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
20. 20

    Ashford University

    San Diego, CAPrivate for-profitOnline available

    • 94Master's/yr
    • Master of Arts in Education
    • Online
    About the program

    The University of Arizona Global Campus offers a Master of Arts in Education, an online program organized around concentrations in Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Higher Education, and Special Education. Delivered in an accelerated six-week format that has students take one course at a time, the 36-credit degree suits busy adults who want to advance their knowledge of teaching and learning at a steady pace. The program states plainly that it is not designed to meet state requirements for teacher licensure or certification, so it reads as a route to deepening practice or shifting into education roles that do not hinge on a state credential. Two capstone courses, one in action research and one culminating project, ask students to synthesize their learning into applied work. Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, it also carries Quality Matters certification for its online course design. Graduates of this educational leadership and administration program at the master's level often go on to work as education administrators.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 94 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
21. 21

    Mississippi College

    Clinton, MSPrivate nonprofit

    • 93Master's/yr
    • $50,240Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education in Educational Leadership (Licensure Track)
    • Online
    About the program

    Mississippi College offers an online Master of Education in Educational Leadership with a Licensure Track for candidates aiming at the principal's office and a separate Non-Licensure ISA track for those pursuing leadership without a state credential. The CAEP-referenced licensure path leads to a K-12 administrator endorsement and a Class AA administrative license in Mississippi upon passing the School Leaders Licensure Assessment. The 36 credit-hour program uses problem-based learning across six leadership dimensions and requires 320 total field-experience hours, including an internship under a certified administrator. Full-time candidates can finish in twelve months, while part-time students complete the degree in about twenty. The problem-based design and substantial field hours read as a practice-focused program that prepares educators to lead through applied work rather than coursework alone. Earning a master's degree in educational leadership and administration is a common route toward becoming one of Mississippi's education administrators.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 93 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Jackson, MS, where elementary teachers earn a median $50,240, roughly $56,419 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
22. 22

    Wilmington University

    New Castle, DEPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 92Master's/yr
    • $78,570Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Education in School Leadership
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Wilmington University offers a Master of Education in School Leadership that pairs practitioner instruction with extensive fieldwork for educators moving toward administration. The program is taught by active K-12 administrators and includes up to 360 hours of hands-on practicum in a school setting, giving candidates sustained exposure to the daily work of leadership. Spanning 33 to 35 credits across ten courses, with new classes starting every eight weeks, its hybrid, rolling structure accommodates working teachers. Students can choose licensure or non-licensure options: the licensure route meets Delaware certification requirements for assistant principal and principal and has also been reviewed and approved for licensure in New Jersey. The program holds CAEP accreditation under NCATE standards and is nationally recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council. As a master's degree in educational leadership and administration, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as education administrators in Delaware.

    Why it ranks here

    Master's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 92 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, where elementary teachers earn a median $78,570, roughly $76,613 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
23. 23

    Drake University

    Des Moines, IAPrivate nonprofit

    • 89Master's/yr
    • $61,650Metro teacher pay
    • Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
    • Hybrid
    About the program

    Drake University offers a Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership, a cohort-based hybrid program that meets Wednesday evenings on Zoom and Saturdays on campus. It gives candidates three pathways, a six-semester Traditional Licensure track of 36 credits, a five-semester Non-Licensure option, and an Accelerated route, so students can align the degree with whether they are pursuing administrative approval. The Traditional pathway leads to PK-12 Principal and PK-12 Special Education Supervisor and Evaluator Approval in Iowa. Each student is paired with a practicing administrator mentor and completes a clinical internship every year, keeping the work grounded in real school settings. Drake underscores its reach by noting that nearly 70% of Iowa school districts employ a Drake-educated administrator. This master's-level educational leadership and administration program prepares graduates for work as education administrators in Iowa.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 89 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, where elementary teachers earn a median $61,650, roughly $67,229 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.

    Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.

    School site
24. 24

    Austin Peay State University

    Clarksville, TNPublic

    • 89Master's/yr
    • Educational Leadership Studies, M.A.Ed.
    • Online
    About the program

    Austin Peay State University offers an online Master of Arts in Education in Educational Leadership Studies that positions itself as an accelerated, affordable route into Tennessee school administration. CAEP-accredited and completable in a single year through 7.5-week terms, the program leads to the Tennessee Instructional Leader License at the Beginning level and lets students earn the Aspiring credential before graduation, provided they pass the SLLA exam and bring at least three years of licensed teaching experience. Its job-embedded, cohort-style structure pairs coursework with monthly mentoring from administrative coaches, keeping candidates rooted in the schools where they already work. No GRE or MAT is required to enter, lowering the barrier for busy educators. Marketed as the most affordable principal-preparation program in the state, it reads as a pragmatic option for Tennessee teachers ready to lead. Earning a master's degree in educational leadership and administration is a common route toward becoming one of Tennessee's education administrators.

    Why it ranks here

    For a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 89 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site
25. 25

    Northwestern College

    Orange City, IAPrivate nonprofitOnline available

    • 88Master's/yr
    • Master of Education in Educational Administration
    • Accredited through the Iowa Department of Education
    • Online
    About the program

    Northwestern College offers a Master of Education in Educational Administration, an online program that leads to an initial administrator license and PK-12 principal certification in Iowa. The 34-credit design pairs 27 credits of coursework with a substantial 7-credit internship, placing candidates in early childhood, elementary, and secondary settings so they lead across the full grade span before graduating. A mentorship component matches each student with a leadership coach, reinforcing the sense of a program that develops principals through guided practice rather than theory alone. Aligned to the NELP and ISSL standards, the curriculum also prepares graduates for athletic director roles and supports certification in other states on an individual basis. It reads as a hands-on, mentorship-driven path for teachers stepping into school leadership. This master's-level educational leadership and administration program prepares graduates for work as education administrators in Iowa.

    Why it ranks here

    A master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 88 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.

    School site

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