2023 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Education

When deciding whether to go for a master’s degree in the education field, many prospective students also wonder what type of degree they should pursue. The most common offerings are a Master of Education (M.Ed.), a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and a Master of Science in Teaching (MST). Although there are some commonalities among them, there are distinct differences. Many schools have created separate master’s degree programs so that students can focus on the most relevant facets of education that align with their career goals. The following is a comparison of these degree types.

MAT and MST Programs

• Who They're Designed For: MAT and MST programs are generally designed for educators who envision themselves spending their entire careers in the classroom teaching.
• Program Length: These programs often take two to three years, and the number of credit hours needed to graduate averages 30-45 credits. As many as one-third of these credits may be devoted to practicums and student teaching assignments where students develop practical skills through hands-on experience.
• Prerequisites: Applicants may or may not be required to have prior teaching experience before entering an MAT or MST program.
• Courses: Coursework for an MST may be more heavily focused on teaching skills, pedagogical theory, and methods. MAT coursework may lean more toward honing expertise in teaching a particular discipline, such as math, language arts, or social studies, or on working with a particular student group, such as middle schoolers or special education students. MAT and MST programs both include courses on curriculum development, instructional design, and leadership, which are also typically found in M.Ed. programs.

M.Ed. Programs

• Who They're Designed For: M.Ed. programs are aimed at educators who want to enhance their teaching skills and are considering taking on other roles in the educational system. These occupations include principals and other administrative positions, learning specialists, and curriculum designers.
• Program Length: M.Ed. programs usually require the completion of 30-36 credit hours over two years.
• Prerequisites: Applicants are often required to have some teaching experience before entering a program.
• Courses: Coursework in an M.Ed. program often explores teaching theory and encourages students to research and analyze education practice. Enrollees may be able to choose an area of concentration that allows them to focus on a particular aspect of K-12 education, such as curriculum design, counseling, or administration.

The cost of an online Master of Education (M.Ed.) varies depending on a number of factors. One way to compare program costs is to consider per-credit tuition rates multiplied by the number of credits required to graduate. At the 25 schools we've ranked for offering the most affordable online graduate degrees in education, cost per credit ranges from $250 to $336, and programs require anywhere from 30 to 42 credit hours. That translates to annual tuition rates ranging from $3,500 to $5,366. Other programs can cost closer to $20,000 and higher. When determining the total cost of earning a graduate degree in education, students may have to factor in other expenses, such as:

• Books and other supplies
• Fees charged by many schools, such as for application, technology, and graduation expenses
• Interest on a student loan, if that type of financing is needed
• Childcare, for students who have small children at home
• Possible transportation and accommodation costs related to visiting the campus for orientation, practicums, workshops, and conferences, which might be required by some programs

When considering cost, students may factor in how much they're likely to make to decide if pursuing an online master's will pay off. The actual amount of additional pay and the lifetime earning potential vary widely depending on the school district but a 2021 report by the National Council on Teacher Quality found that having a master’s degree notably increased salary growth at 52 out of 90 school districts sampled. When compared to the initial cost of the online degree, a master’s in education could mean a healthy return on investment.

Some of the schools on our list of the most affordable online education degrees offer online master's in teaching programs. The price range for online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degrees or Master of Science in Teaching (MST) degrees varies even more widely than for online master’s in education degrees, mainly because the number of credit hours needed to graduate can range anywhere from 30 to 45 credits, with some programs requiring as many as 60 credits. Students must also factor in additional expenses, such as books, supplies, and various types of fees, to reach the total cost of the degree.

At the #3 ranked college, Dickinson State University, the total tuition fee for a 33-credit Master of Arts in Teaching is $11,088. When prospective students explore other choices beyond these affordable degree options, they’ll find online MAT programs at much higher tuition rates. Johns Hopkins University, for example, offers an online Master of Arts in Teaching Writing, which carries a total tuition cost of $30,735.

A master's degree requires money, time, and hard work, so it's natural to weigh the costs and potential benefits more carefully. Everyone's personal and financial circumstances are different and nobody can answer the question absolutely. However, an online master's degree in education can be a worthwhile investment for students with a passion for teaching, including those interested in teaching at the post-secondary level.

Potential benefits

• Teachers with master's degrees typically earn $5,000 more per year than those with bachelor's degrees.
• Research suggests that teachers have relatively high levels of job satisfaction and believe they make a difference in their students' lives.
• Many school districts only hire teachers with licensure and a degree in education, so a master's in the field can help those transitioning careers meet the requirements without needing to earn a bachelor's degree in education.

Potential drawbacks

• Teachers tend to earn lower wages than college-educated professionals in other occupations.
• Despite relatively promising job satisfaction, most teachers report that society doesn't value their work.

Online learning in general has pros and cons, but there are none specific to education degrees. Students in online programs enjoy the ability to watch lectures and contribute to discussion forums on their own schedule, which allows them flexibility to adjust for their other responsibilities. However, distance learning often leads to less social interaction among classmates and fewer chances to network, which can potentially hamper a student's career.