Master's in Educational Leadership

Which master's in educational leadership programs lead to a principal's license in your state?

That question comes before tuition or prestige. Assistant principal postings commonly require a valid administrative certificate at the point of application, and every state board sets its own route: an accredited graduate program, supervised field experience, and a leadership exam. A program built for another state's rules may not satisfy the one your district hires on.

Costs across the programs ranked here vary sharply, and not every graduate recovers the investment. Districts tend to promote from inside, so a state-aligned program that fits around a teaching schedule usually outperforms a better-known name.

Who This Degree Fits and How to Narrow Your Shortlist

A master's in educational leadership can be the shortest academic path to a principal's office, or an expensive credential that never changes your job title. The difference usually comes down to fit, not prestige.

What the Degree Does and Does Not Do

Can you become a principal with a master's in educational leadership? Usually, yes, but the degree is the academic route, not the license. Your state board issues the principal certificate and sets its own requirements for approved coursework, internship hours, exams and teaching experience. A leadership master's may satisfy part of that list; it does not replace it.

M.Ed., M.S. and "educational administration" are mostly naming conventions. Programs vary more in licensure track, internship design and schedule than in the letters after the degree, so check state approval and the course sequence rather than the title.

Who It Suits, and Three Filters

Aspiring principals need a state-approved licensure track. Current assistant principals, instructional coaches and teacher-leaders may want the credential for a salary schedule bump or a district curriculum role; for them, flexibility and cost can matter more than principal certification.

• State license fit: Confirm the program leads to the certificate you need in the state where you plan to work.
• Format: Pick a schedule that survives a full teaching load, whether that means evening classes, weekend sessions or an online cohort.
• Total cost: Compare tuition and fees for the whole program, not just the per-credit rate.

The rankings show how those filters play out school by school.

10 Educational Leadership Master's Programs Worth Shortlisting, Ranked

Educational leadership master's programs differ less in subject matter than in how they fit around a full-time teaching job: cohort structure, fieldwork hours, licensure alignment, and per-credit cost do most of the separating. The shortlist below is ordered by how directly each program moves a working educator into a school leadership role.

Rank	School	Location	Net price	Best for
#1	Colorado State University-Fort Collins	Fort Collins, CO	~$14,000/yr (est.)	Working teachers seeking hybrid principal licensure
Colorado State pairs a 33-credit principal licensure track with hybrid delivery: mostly online, plus a three-week summer residency and a weekend capstone. Graduate tuition and fees are $13,373 in state and $34,783 out of state. Schools offering this program graduate 67% of students; median earnings four years after finishing are about $69,400. Master of Education with Principal Licensure — Hybrid Rolling admissionsTest optional 33 credit hours across four semesters, or 24 for licensure-only Hybrid format with a three-week summer course in northern Colorado 300-hour internship plus portfolio tied to Colorado principal standards $650 per credit; GRE not required Admission requires a valid teaching license and three years of experience Rolling admissions after February 1; summer start deadline May 1 Visit Website
#2	Niagara University	Niagara University, NY	~$16,000/yr (est.)	New York educators adding district-level certification
Niagara runs three leadership master's tracks: a campus M.S.Ed. at its Ontario site that does not lead to New York certification, and two online routes in school building and school district leadership for educators who already hold a master's and a teaching certificate. Graduate tuition and fees are $39,345. Schools offering this program graduate 75% of students. Educational Leadership, M.S.Ed., Master's — On-Campus Campus-based 36-credit program offered at the Ontario site since 1984 600 clock hours of administrative internship Written comprehensive exam plus capstone for school building leader Two electives in administration Does not lead to New York state certification Visit Website Educational Leadership, M.S.Ed. with School Building Leadership, Master's — On-Campus Online delivery for the School Building Leadership concentration Prepares for the New York State Educational Leadership Assessments Requires a prior master's degree and a teaching certificate Prerequisite research course and DASA training required Capstone and comprehensive exams required Visit Website Educational Leadership, M.S.Ed. with School District Leadership, Master's — On-Campus 100% online School District Leadership concentration Leads to NYS School Building Leader and School District Leader certification Includes two capstone courses and two internships 36 credit hours with prerequisite courses Requires a prior master's degree Visit Website
#3	University of Louisville	Louisville, KY	~$15,000/yr (est.)	Aspiring administrators who want EdS and EdD pathways
Louisville's educational administration M.Ed. sits in a department that also runs EdS, EdD, superintendent certification, and a Director of Special Education certificate, so graduates can keep climbing in the same place. Graduate tuition and fees are $13,136 in state and $29,482 out of state. Schools offering this program graduate 61% of students; median earnings four years after finishing are about $86,000. Educational Administration (M.Ed.), Master's — On-Campus Master of Education in Educational Administration Same department also offers an EdS and an EdD in educational leadership Superintendent certification program available Director of Special Education certificate offered Credit for prior learning accepted Scholarships and departmental funding available Visit Website
#4	Liberty University	Lynchburg, VA	~$9,000/yr (est.)
Liberty offers two online leadership master's degrees: a curriculum and instruction route aimed at P-12 administration and a higher education route for academic and student affairs leadership. Graduate tuition and fees are $22,465, and courses run in 8-week terms with up to eight starts a year. Schools offering this program graduate 65% of students; median earnings four years after finishing are about $64,300. Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership Concentration — Online No entrance examMilitary benefits 36 credit hours, 100% online in 8-week courses Up to 8 start dates per year with no set login times $430 per credit with military tuition at $290 per credit No entrance exam required; 2.5 GPA minimum Capstone project examining current education issues Transfer up to 50% of credits Visit Website Master of Education in Higher Education, Educational Leadership — Online No entrance examMilitary benefits 30 credit hours, fully asynchronous online Prepares for roles such as dean of students or faculty Capstone required with a 2.5 GPA minimum 8 start dates each year Transfer in up to 50% of the degree Visit Website
#5	Davenport University	Grand Rapids, MI	~$20,000/yr (est.)
Davenport builds its master's around urban school leadership: 36 online credits over about two years, weekly coaching, cultural intelligence assessments, and internships placed in urban schools. Graduate tuition and fees are $24,466, and the program aligns with Michigan standards for school administrators. Schools offering this program graduate 57% of students. Master of Education in Urban Educational Leadership — Online Employer tuition reimbursement 36 credit hours, 100% online, completable in about two years Curriculum covers urban studies, race, culture, and equity Internships placed in urban schools Weekly coaching and cultural intelligence assessments Aligned with Michigan standards for school administrators Employer tuition reimbursement supported; partner districts offer benefits Visit Website
#6	University of Rochester	Rochester, NY	~$39,000/yr (est.)
Rochester's Warner School offers a 36-credit M.S. in educational leadership with 18 credits in educational administration, a research methods core, and a master's research project. Graduate tuition and fees are $67,080, the highest here, and up to 10 graduate credits may transfer before matriculation. Schools offering this program graduate 85% of students; median earnings four years after finishing are about $74,000. MS in Educational Leadership — On-Campus 36 credit hours with 18 in educational administration At least 12 elective credits plus a master's research project Up to 10 graduate credits may transfer before matriculation Transfer credits can replace electives, except accreditation-assessed courses Offered through the Warner School Visit Website
#7	Teachers College of San Joaquin	Stockton, CA	~$7,000/yr (est.)
Teachers College of San Joaquin is a district-run institution in Stockton built entirely around educators, and its leadership master's runs synchronous online classes with an optional Preliminary Administrative Services Credential cohort. The 33-credit program centers on instructional leadership, action research, and a capstone tied to a real school challenge. Rolling admissions let teachers start when their calendar allows. Master of Education in Educational Leadership and School Development — Online Rolling admissions 33 credit hours delivered in synchronous online classes Optional Preliminary Administrative Services Credential pathway Action research project and capstone addressing real school challenges Transfer credit up to 8 units Rolling admissions with a PASC cohort model available Visit Website
#8	Louisiana State University-Shreveport	Shreveport, LA	~$7,000/yr (est.)
LSU Shreveport delivers a 34-credit educational leadership master's fully online in roughly 12 months, with general leadership and teacher leader tracks aligned to national standards. Graduate tuition and fees are $7,518, the lowest on this list. Schools offering this program graduate 38% of students. Master of Education in Educational Leadership — Online 34 credit hours, 100% online, roughly 12 months Aligned with ELCC, SSPL, and PSEL leadership standards Covers school law, community involvement, and financial resources Prepares for principal certification and PRAXIS 2.5 GPA minimum; scholarships available Visit Website Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Teacher Leader Concentration — Online Teacher Leader concentration track TEACH Grant available for education students Career paths include principal, dean, and district administrator Visit Website
#9	University of West Alabama	Livingston, AL	$7,000 – $14,000/yr (est.)
West Alabama's instructional leadership master's is fully online in 8-week terms, with an internship and residency, a personal success coach, and preparation for Alabama Class A certification. Graduate tuition and fees are $10,990 in state and $20,090 out of state. Schools offering this program graduate 35% of students; median earnings four years after finishing are about $73,700. Master of Education in Instructional Leadership — Online 34 credit hours in 8-week online terms, finishable in 1 to 2 years Internship and residency required Aligns with Alabama Class A certification, including the Praxis exam Designed for teachers with at least three years of classroom experience Personal success coach assigned to each student $429 per credit with 2.8 GPA minimum Visit Website
#10	Vermont State University	Randolph, VT	$5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.)
Vermont State's 36-credit M.A. runs fully online with four start terms a year and a two-year fieldwork project completed in the student's own school. Graduate tuition and fees are $11,952 in state and $22,296 out of state. Schools offering this program graduate 47% of students. Master of Arts in Educational Leadership — Online Fully online option 36 credits, fully online, with four start terms each year Two-year fieldwork project completed at the student's own school Principalship Endorsement preparation built into the degree 22-credit endorsement track for educators who already hold a master's $708 per credit in state and $911 per credit out of state Approved by the Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators Visit Website

How the Scoring Works: The Weights Behind the Order

The order is a judgment call made visible, not a verdict. Five things count: whether a program carries the accreditation and state approval that lead to a principal license; what graduate study actually costs; how graduates fare on earnings and debt; completion rates; and how the format fits a working teacher's week.

Where the Numbers Come From

Tuition, median graduate earnings, debt totals and graduation rates come from the federal College Scorecard and IPEDS. The weighting leans toward cost and licensure fit because those affect nearly everyone; earnings, completion and flexibility carry real weight without dominating. Format flexibility enters the score as well, though below cost and licensure.

What the Numbers Cannot Tell You

Institution-wide graduation rates describe a whole university, not one master's cohort. Tuition figures are sticker prices before aid, assistantships or district reimbursement. Scorecard earnings are medians, not promises; one graduate's salary depends on district, state and years of service.

The ranking also cannot see whether a program is approved for licensure in your state, whether internship placements line up with your district, or whether the curriculum matches the level you want to lead. Confirm those directly with the program before you apply, and treat the order as a way to start conversations rather than end them.

Graduate Tuition, Debt and Monthly Payments at the Lowest-Cost Programs

These programs post the lowest in-state graduate tuition among the schools ranked here, based on IPEDS and College Scorecard (2024) data from the U.S. Department of Education. Where federal debt figures are available, Northwestern College graduates carry the lightest median loan balance ($7,536, or about $86 a month on a 10-year plan), while University of West Alabama graduates carry the heaviest ($27,333, about $311 a month). Fitchburg State, Northwestern College, LSU Shreveport and Teachers College of San Joaquin charge the same rate regardless of residency, and UNC Charlotte's lower-cost option is a higher education track aimed at student affairs careers rather than principal licensure.

Online, Hybrid and On-Campus: Live Sessions, Cohorts and Internship Logistics

Format changes more than your schedule. It affects how many credits you carry, how much time you spend in live sessions, and where you complete administrative internship hours. The figures below come from example programs at schools such as Arizona State, Lehigh, Louisiana at Lafayette and Oakland, so confirm the exact numbers with any program you shortlist. Also check that its internship structure meets your state's principal licensure rules.

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Admission Requirements: Experience, Test Scores and Prerequisites

Admission rules for educational leadership master's programs are set school by school, not nationally. Use these checkpoints to compare programs before you apply.

• Teaching experience

  Requirements vary. Arizona State University asks for two years of relevant professional experience, which can include teacher-of-record roles or education-adjacent work. LSU Online asks for two years of teaching. The University of Minnesota prefers experience but does not require it, and Arcadia University does not require prior work experience. Principal licensure is different: check your state's rules before assuming you can skip classroom years.
• GPA minimums

  A 3.0 is common, as at Arizona State and Hawai'i Pacific University, which may admit applicants below 3.0 provisionally. Minnesota lists 2.8. American College of Education lists 2.75, or 2.5 for provisional admission.
• GRE and other tests

  Many programs no longer ask for test scores. Arizona State, ASU Online, Hawai'i Pacific and Arcadia do not require an exam, and Minnesota does not consider GRE scores. Confirm with each school, because no universal rule applies.
• Recommendations and written materials

  The number of letters ranges from one at Arizona State to two at American University and Arcadia to three at LSU Online. If a program requests a statement of goals, prepare one as well.
• License and transfer prerequisites

  American College of Education and LSU Online expect a teaching license or a certification pathway. ASU Online and National University do not require one. Transfer limits run from 6 credits at American and Arcadia to 9 at Minnesota and 12 at National.

Program-Level Earnings Among the Top Earners

Fitchburg State posts the highest program-level earnings figure among the schools ranked here. The University of West Alabama ($76,111) and UNC Charlotte ($75,252) follow, both measured five years after completion.

Additional Schools Offering Educational Leadership Degrees

The directory below extends past the top group with additional educational leadership programs in several states and delivery formats. It is a browsing list, not a second ranking: each entry notes location, format and the program's main focus. Graduate tuition varies by program and residency, so confirm current rates with each school before applying.