Affordable MAT Programs

A full semester of student teaching, usually unpaid, closes out nearly every MAT that leads to a license. For career changers, that is a cost tuition tables never show.

The MAT is still the quickest graduate route into a classroom for anyone with a bachelor's degree in another field. Prices, though, vary several-fold from one program to the next. The lowest rates below come from public universities and a few private schools with online options.

The cheapest sticker price is not always the cheapest outcome. Fees, licensure exams, and the unpaid placement semester can erase a per-credit advantage. A program that doesn't lead to a license in your state costs more than any of them.

10 Lowest-Cost MAT Programs, Ordered by Graduate Tuition

The ten programs below are ordered by the graduate tuition and fees each institution publishes, lowest first, with aid programs and outcome data layered in behind the price. Most entries lead to initial teaching licensure in at least one state, and the two curriculum-focused master's degrees are described in those terms where they differ from the rest. The figures are published graduate tuition rather than an estimated net price after aid, and the per-credit rates and mandatory fees behind them are unpacked further down the page.

Rank	School	Location	Net price	Best for
#1	University of the Cumberlands	Williamsburg, KY	~$3,200/yr (est.)	Career changers wanting fully online coursework
A private university in Williamsburg, Kentucky, whose online MAT serves career changers across elementary, middle, secondary, all-grades and special education bands. It charges Kentucky residents and out-of-state students the same graduate tuition, which sets it apart from most public options on this list. Schools offering this program graduate 50% of students, and a One Price Promise bundles textbooks and required materials into the published cost. Master of Arts in Teaching — Online Fully online option 33 to 42 credit hours depending on certification area Fully online curriculum students work through at their own pace Leads to Kentucky certification through the state board (EPSB) Certification bands include elementary P-5, middle 5-9 and secondary 8-12 Middle school candidates choose one or two emphasis areas Secondary emphases include biology, chemistry, physics and social studies Graduate education tuition published at $315 per credit hour One Price Promise bundles textbooks, tutoring and required materials Visit Website
#2	Salish Kootenai College	Pablo, MT	~$5,000/yr (est.)	Working educators in tribal community schools
A public tribal college in Pablo, Montana, that runs a 15-month cohort master's in curriculum and instruction built around Indigenous education. The curriculum draws on the languages and cultures of the Ql'ispe, Ksanka and Selis peoples and connects coursework to reservation communities, which suits educators already working in or alongside tribal schools. Schools offering this program graduate 28% of students, and enrollment follows scheduled cohort starts rather than rolling admission. Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction — On-Campus 15-month cohort program designed for working educators Integrative Indigenous Education emphasis Weaves tribal languages and cultures into classroom practice Coursework includes Indigenous educational praxis and action research Aligns with Montana's Indian Education for All framework Next cohort is scheduled to begin in fall 2027 On-campus classes in Pablo, Montana Visit Website
#3	Texas A&M University-Texarkana	Texarkana, TX	~$6,000/yr (est.)	Aspiring Texas teachers needing certification
A public Texas A&M system campus in Texarkana that delivers its Master of Education in Teaching entirely online while keeping the clinical placement in Texas schools. Certification areas run from elementary through 7-12 content, and an alternative route lets people who already hold a master's degree add the teaching credential in two courses. Schools offering this program graduate 30% of students, and regional employer partnerships can reduce tuition further for eligible staff. Master of Education in Teaching — Online or On-Campus Fully online option 30 credit hours with no thesis or capstone 100% online coursework plus an in-state clinical experience Certification areas include Core Subjects EC-6, Core Subjects 4-8 and 7-12 Required internship in a Texas school district Alternative Certification Program route for people who hold a master's Two extra courses add the M.Ed. for already certified teachers 33% tuition discount for eligible Ark-Tex Council of Governments employees Partner employers also waive the application fee Visit Website
#4	William Jewell College	Liberty, MO	~$6,000/yr (est.)
A private liberal arts college in Liberty, Missouri, that runs its MAT as a Missouri-approved alternative certification route for people who already hold a bachelor's degree. Classes meet evenings, weekends and in hybrid formats, and candidates are in real classrooms early under the guidance of experienced master teachers. Schools offering this program graduate 68% of students, the highest on this list, and the program advertises a one-year full-time finish. Master of Arts in Teaching — Hybrid One year full time or two years part time 30 credit hours at $534 per credit Missouri-approved alternative certification route Evening, weekend and hybrid class formats Student teaching happens in schools during the school day Cohort model with mentoring from experienced master teachers Coursework covers instructional design, assessment and differentiated instruction Praxis exam required for Missouri certification Visit Website
#5	American College of Education	Indianapolis, IN	$5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.)
A private, fully online institution based in Indianapolis that specializes in working adults returning for education credentials. Its M.A. in Secondary Teaching is a 34-credit, 12-to-20-month program leading to initial Indiana certification for grades 5-12, with a 400-hour student teaching practicum built in. The college reports that 87% of its students graduate debt-free, and an Educator Grant is available to new students. M.A. in Secondary Teaching, Master's — Online Fully online option 34 credit hours, completable in 12 to 20 months Total program tuition published at $9,976 Leads to initial secondary certification in Indiana, grades 5-12 400-hour, 15-week student teaching practicum Approved alternative certification pathway in Indiana 87% of students graduate debt-free Educator Grant available for new students Admission requires a 2.5 GPA or five years of professional experience Visit Website
#6	Sitting Bull College	Fort Yates, ND	~$7,000/yr (est.)
A public tribal college in Fort Yates, North Dakota, offering a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction on campus. The program leans on experiential learning and practicums, and it serves both working teachers who want to move into leadership and career changers with a bachelor's in a secondary subject who are aiming at a North Dakota teaching license. Schools offering this program graduate 22% of students. Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction — On-Campus Blends curriculum, instruction and assessment theory with practice Experiential learning and hands-on practicums built in Supports current teachers who want to grow into leadership Can prepare bachelor's holders in a secondary subject for ND licensure Also opens administrative roles in education On-campus classes in Fort Yates, North Dakota Visit Website
#7	Cameron University	Lawton, OK	$5,000 – $12,000/yr (est.)
A public university in Lawton, Oklahoma, whose Master of Education in Education follows National Board standards and carries five concentrations, from special education and literacy to school counseling, English education and teaching and learning. The hybrid schedule is built for teachers already in the classroom, who can finish in two years or less while working full time. Schools offering this program graduate 31% of students, and new graduate students can apply for a tuition waiver. Master of Education in Education — Hybrid Concentrations: special education, literacy, school counseling, English, teaching and learning Coursework follows National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Two years or less while teaching full time Hybrid format with coursework built around a working teacher's day Teaching certificate required within the first 12 hours 3.0 GPA for admission; conditional admission below 3.0 New graduate students can apply for a tuition waiver TEACH Scholarship available to eligible students Visit Website
#8	University of North Georgia	Dahlonega, GA	~$5,000/yr (est.)
A public university in Dahlonega, Georgia, whose MAT is a 12-month hybrid program for people with bachelor's degrees outside education. Education coursework is asynchronous online, but the internship is a full-time, in-person commitment in a Georgia classroom from August through May, so candidates should plan for a year away from other work. Schools offering this program graduate 37% of students, and separate tracks are available in secondary English and secondary history. Master of Arts in Teaching — Online 39 credit hours completed in 12 months Education coursework delivered online asynchronously Full-time internship in a Georgia classroom from August to May Approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission Tracks: Secondary Education - English (6-12), Secondary Education - History (6-12) Summer cohort start with small class sizes 2.5 GPA minimum; no GRE for applicants at 3.0 or above Leads to initial certification in middle grades (4-8) or secondary (6-12) Visit Website
#9	Maranatha Baptist University	Watertown, WI	~$7,000/yr (est.)
A private Baptist university in Watertown, Wisconsin, that delivers its MAT online with a focus on elementary licensure through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The program builds clinical experience into the degree and lets candidates apply prior teaching experience toward those hours, which shortens the path for people already working in schools. Schools offering this program graduate 64% of students, and there are six start dates a year with no application fee. Master of Arts in Teaching (Elementary) — Online Online program leading to Wisconsin DPI licensure for grades K-9 Complete in two years or less with six start dates per year Clinical requirement can be met through prior teaching experience Coursework covers reading diagnosis and classroom management 2.8 GPA and prerequisite coursework required Scholarships and graduate assistantships available No application fee Visit Website Master of Arts in Teaching (Mathematics) — Online Online and on-campus formats for the mathematics track 30 to 38 credit hours including student teaching State-approved program with background check requirement Praxis entrance exam required before enrollment Experienced faculty mentors supervise the classroom experience Visit Website
#10	Tarleton State University	Stephenville, TX	$8,000 – $15,000/yr (est.)
A public university in Stephenville, Texas, whose TMATE program lets candidates earn a master's while serving as the teacher of record in a partner school district. Interns can be in front of students after a single semester, which makes it one of the quicker routes from a bachelor's degree to a paid Texas classroom. Schools offering this program graduate 48% of students, and the degree is offered in Stephenville, Fort Worth and Waco. Master of Arts in Teacher Education (TMATE) — On-Campus 30 to 33 credit hours over about 18 months Interns can begin teaching after as little as one semester Combines graduate coursework with teaching in partner districts Offered in Stephenville, Fort Worth and Waco Fort Worth and Waco sites exclude the 4-8 concentrations 2.0 GPA minimum for off-campus admission Meets Texas teacher certification requirements Designed for people who already hold a bachelor's degree Visit Website

What 'Affordable' Means Here: Our Cost Yardstick

What does a cheap MAT actually cost once everything is added up? Three measures, each answering a different question, get at that number.

First, published graduate tuition and fees before any aid. This is the school's posted price, the number you can compare line by line. Second, average net price, what undergraduates at a school pay after grants and scholarships. Third, program-level debt from the College Scorecard, which shows what graduates of a given program typically borrowed.

Where the data runs thin

Treat these figures as a starting point, not a quote. Graduation rate is institution-wide, so it reflects the whole university rather than the MAT cohort. Net price is a sector average, and it is approximate. Tuition is the school-wide graduate figure, which may differ from what a specific teaching program charges. Confirm the per-credit rate and fee schedule with the program before you apply.

What we left out

We did not count housing, food, or lost wages. Those costs vary too much by person and city to estimate fairly. But they matter, especially if you are a career changer who plans to cut hours or leave a job for student teaching. A program with low tuition but rigid daytime requirements can cost more overall than a slightly pricier one you can complete while working.

Use the tuition ranking to narrow your list, then build your own total bill.

From Sticker Price to Total Bill: Per-Credit Rates and Mandatory Fees

A low per-credit rate looks like a bargain until mandatory fees are added. A fee-free online rate can still cost more than a campus program. The all-in number is what you will actually pay.

Per-Credit Rates and Fees, 2026-27

• Frostburg State (MD): $496 per credit for Maryland residents on campus, $630 out of state, and $525 for online graduate courses. Campus fees add $133 per credit (activity, technology, athletic, auxiliary facilities, student union, transportation, sustainability). Online courses carry a $20 technology fee per credit. There is also a $45 application fee¹.
• University of Utah: $680.34 per credit for the all-online MAT, with no mandatory student fees².
• Oregon State (Cascades MAT, non-resident): $942 per credit. The reported $33,912 total matches 36 credits at that rate³.

Frostburg's $525 online rate is the university's graduate rate and may not be specific to the MAT, so confirm it with the bursar.

Worked Estimates

Frostburg does not state its MAT credit total in the sources reviewed, so the figures below assume 30 credits for illustration only. Check your program's requirement.

• Frostburg, Maryland resident, on campus: 30 x ($496 + $133) = $18,870.
• Frostburg, online: 30 x ($525 + $20) = $16,350, plus the $45 application fee.
• Utah, online: 30 x $680.34 = $20,410, with no fees added.
• William Jewell College, a private option listed here at $534 per credit for 30 credits: about $16,020 before books and fees.

Length and Working While You Study

Credit requirements among the programs here run from about 30 to 42. Completion ranges from 12 months for cohort programs such as the University of North Georgia to two years for part-time tracks such as Cameron University. Working full time is realistic only for programs built for current teachers, or where coursework is online. Programs that include a school-day internship or student teaching, such as UNG's August-to-May placement, leave little room for a job.

Is Online Cheaper?

Not automatically. At Frostburg, online beats the campus total for residents and out-of-state students alike once fees are counted. Utah's online rate runs higher per credit than Frostburg's, though it carries no fees. Compare the final bill, not the delivery label.

Who Charges Everyone the Same? Resident vs. Nonresident Graduate Tuition

Residency can more than triple your bill: University of North Georgia lists $5,416 for residents and $18,484 for nonresidents, while University of the Cumberlands and Newberry College, both private schools with online options, list a single rate for everyone. Arkansas State University says its online programs charge in-state and out-of-state students the same, but that is a general policy, not a confirmed MAT price. If you live out of state, confirm on the school's tuition page that the flat rate covers your specific program and format, and that the program can lead to licensure in your state, before you apply.

Fees, Exams and Unpaid Student Teaching: The Bills Tuition Leaves Out

Licensure exams are the out-of-pocket costs with published prices: the Praxis Information Bulletin lists 2026-27 fees below (ETS allows one fee waiver per test taker per year, covering up to three Core tests or one Subject Assessment), and edTPA charges $300 at registration. Background checks, technology and course fees, and textbooks vary by state, school, vendor and course, so ask each program for its own figures before you compare totals. If student teaching means stepping away from a paid job, estimate the lost income as the hours you will not work times your usual hourly wage, plus any lost benefits and added commuting or childcare costs.

What Public School Teachers Earn Nationally

Elementary teachers earned a median of $63,970 in May 2025, compared with $50,980 for all occupations. Middle school teachers earned $64,370 and high school teachers $72,040.

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More Low-Cost MAT Programs Worth a Look

The schools below sit just outside the ranked list, and each keeps graduate tuition modest while still leading to licensure or an advanced teaching credential in its state. Formats range from fully online to campus based, and several publish per-credit rates you can budget before you apply. Treat this as a browsing directory rather than a second ranking.