Master's in Educational Technology

Instructional coordinators earned a median of $77,440 in May 2025, but the master's programs that lead toward those roles vary sharply in price, format, and the jobs they prepare you for. A 30-credit online degree and a campus program with a thesis option can carry the same title and point to different careers.

Tuition, degree title (M.Ed., MA, or MS), and the certification path toward an ed tech director role all shape the return on the investment.

BLS projects only about 2 percent job growth through 2035, so openings tend to go to candidates whose credentials match the specific role.

How These Ed Tech Programs Were Vetted: Outcomes, Accreditation, and Verification

Programs were weighed on what students pay and what graduates earn, then screened for legitimacy.

What the Numbers Show

• Earnings: Program-level pay for graduates, where it is reported.
• Debt: Median borrowing among students who complete.
• Completions: How many students finish the program.
• Graduation rate: Context at the school level, such as "schools offering this program have graduation rates of X%."

Two caveats apply. Net price is an average across students, so your own cost will differ. Institution-wide earnings are not program results, so treat them as background only.

Accreditation That Matters

Start with institutional accreditation from an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA. It covers the whole university, online operations included, and online delivery is not a separate category. CAEP is programmatic and matters when the degree supports educator licensure or endorsements. It is not required for every ed tech master's, such as instructional design or training roles, and "CAEP aligned" is not the same as accredited. State education department approval is a separate check, and accreditation never guarantees licensure.

How to Verify

Look the school up in CHEA's database and the Department of Education's DAPIP. Then confirm current status and scope on CAEP's provider list. If you want a license, ask your state agency and request the school's written state-licensure disclosure.

Best Master's in Educational Technology Programs 2027, Ranked

These ten programs cover the range of what an educational technology master's can look like in 2026, from a 30-credit online degree finished in a year to a campus-based program with a thesis option. Each entry notes the degree title, format, graduate tuition where the program publishes it, and any program-level earnings or debt figures available for its graduates.

Rank	School	Location	Net price	Best for
#1	University of West Georgia	Carrollton, GA	~$6,000/yr (est.)	Georgia teachers adding tech certification
A public university in Carrollton, Georgia, West Georgia delivers its educational technology master's entirely online, with no campus visits required and no out-of-state tuition premium for online students. The 30-credit degree centers on instructional design, digital media production, web design, and game-based learning, closing with a portfolio capstone. Graduates work in P-12 schools, higher education, corporate training, and healthcare settings. Master of Education with a Major in Instructional Technology, Media & Design — Online 30 credit hours, completable in about 18 months 100% online coursework with no campus visits required Portfolio capstone serves as the comprehensive exam Leads to Georgia S-5 certification Online students pay in-state tuition rates Start in any semester; prior learning credits accepted 2.7 GPA minimum and a $55 application fee Median earnings of $67,652 one year after graduation, $74,243 after four years Median graduate debt of $21,320 Visit Website
#2	Southeastern Oklahoma State University	Durant, OK	~$5,000/yr (est.)	Career changers moving into instructional design
A public regional university in Durant, Oklahoma, Southeastern Oklahoma State keeps its educational technology master's compact: 10 courses, 30 credits, and roughly a year of study. The program pairs core education foundations with courses on digital storytelling, learning technologies, and closing the digital divide. Faculty describe the degree as preparation for classrooms, museums, nonprofits, and corporate learning teams, not K-12 alone. Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction – Educational Technology — Online No entrance exam 30 credit hours across 10 courses, finished in about 12 months $329 per credit, about $9,870 total program tuition Accelerated 7-week courses with multiple start dates each year No entrance exam required; 2.0 GPA minimum One letter of recommendation and a $30 application fee Covers digital storytelling, learning technologies, and the digital divide Prepares graduates for instructional designer and technology integration roles Visit Website
#3	Concordia University Texas	Austin, TX	$10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.)	Texas educators exploring AI tools
A private Lutheran university in Austin, Concordia University Texas built its educational technology master's for working educators and trainers who want to lead innovation rather than simply operate new tools. The curriculum aligns with the ISTE Standards for Educators and pushes into artificial intelligence and virtual reality. TCEA members receive a discounted tuition rate, and the program's Austin ties connect students with regional edtech leaders and school districts. Master of Education in Educational Technology & Innovation — Online 16-month, 30-credit online program Aligned with the ISTE Standards for Educators Coursework includes artificial intelligence and virtual reality Discounted tuition rate for TCEA members E-portfolio capstone built from real-world application 2.5 GPA minimum Prepares graduates to qualify for technology certifications Visit Website
#4	Indiana University-Southeast	New Albany, IN	$5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.)
Indiana University Southeast is a regional public campus in New Albany that awards its educational technology master's jointly with five other IU campuses, so students learn alongside peers from a wide range of educational settings. The 36-credit online degree emphasizes instructional design, digital media, and support for diverse learners, with projects students apply directly in their own classrooms and organizations. Admission requires a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Master of Science in Education in Educational Technology for Learning — Online Fully online option 36 credit hours, fully online Taught collaboratively by faculty from five IU campuses 3.0 GPA minimum for admission Coursework in instructional design, digital media, and online learning Projects apply directly to your professional context Addresses support for diverse learners Visit Website
#5	Weber State University	Ogden, UT	~$9,000/yr (est.)
Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, runs a campus-based educational technology master's for educators and training specialists who want to work with technology in schools, business, industry, and higher education. The 36-credit degree combines foundations, a professional core, electives, and a thesis or master's project. Coursework gives unusual attention to K-12 coding, Utah-specific tools, and how technology intersects with culture. Master of Education in Educational Technology — On-Campus 36 credit hours with a thesis or capstone option Campus-based program in Ogden, Utah 3.0 GPA minimum for admission Focus on K-12 coding and Utah-specific education tools Foundation, core, elective, and project structure Explores how technology intersects with culture Prepares graduates for technology specialist roles Visit Website
#6	Fairmont State University	Fairmont, WV	~$10,000/yr (est.)
Fairmont State University is a public university in Fairmont, West Virginia, offering a fully online master's in instructional design and technology aimed at working professionals. The 30-credit program runs in 12 to 18 months with three start dates a year and flexible full-time or part-time pacing. Small classes, a portfolio capstone, and dedicated military and veteran support services round out the offering. Master of Instructional Design and Technology — Online Military benefits 30 credit hours, completed in 12 to 18 months $11,300 total program tuition 100% online with full-time or part-time pacing Three start dates per year in spring, summer, and fall 2.8 GPA minimum Portfolio-focused curriculum with a capstone and practicum Dedicated military and veteran support services Small class sizes with faculty who bring professional expertise Visit Website
#7	University of Maine at Farmington	Farmington, ME	~$12,000/yr (est.)
The University of Maine at Farmington is a small public university whose online instructional technology master's keeps live interaction in the mix through scheduled sessions with guest speakers and technology demonstrations. Class sizes are small, and faculty mentor students into a professional learning network that outlasts the degree. The program prepares educators for technology leadership in K-12 schools, higher education, and corporate training. Master of Education in Instructional Technology — Online 100% online instruction with interactive live meetings Small class sizes and close faculty mentorship Coursework in digital experience design and emerging technologies Guest speakers and live technology demonstrations Builds a professional learning network that lasts beyond graduation Prepares graduates for K-12, higher education, and corporate roles Visit Website
#8	University of Florida	Gainesville, FL	~$13,000/yr (est.)
The University of Florida brings a large research university's educational technology faculty to a fully online master's, with the same instructors who teach on campus. Students in the curriculum and instruction program choose an educational technology concentration and can steer electives toward games and simulations, mobile technologies, or project management. No GRE is required, and students can stack a graduate certificate alongside the degree. M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Educational Technology, Master's — Online No entrance exam Online M.Ed. with an educational technology concentration No GRE required; 3.0 GPA minimum Full-time or part-time enrollment, finishing in as few as two years Typical course load of 6 to 9 credits per term Electives in games and simulations, mobile technologies, and project management Taught by the same faculty as the on-campus program Graduate certificate can be earned concurrently Start in fall, spring, or summer Visit Website
#9	Kennesaw State University	Kennesaw, GA	~$7,000/yr (est.)
Kennesaw State University is a large public university in Georgia whose online instructional technology master's runs as a cohort, so educators move through the five-semester sequence together. The program aligns with the ISTE Standards and lets graduates pair ISTE Certification with Georgia educator certification. Coursework focuses on technology coaching, digital lesson design, and leading professional development. Master of Education in Instructional Technology — Online 30 credit hours completed in five semesters 100% online, cohort-based format Offers ISTE Certification alongside Georgia educator certification Curriculum aligns with the ISTE Standards 2.8 GPA minimum and a $60 application fee Fall, spring, and summer start dates Prepares graduates for instructional designer, technology coordinator, and media specialist roles Median earnings of $61,422 one year after graduation, $70,302 after four years Median graduate debt of $33,950 Visit Website
#10	Mount St. Mary's University	Emmitsburg, MD	$10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.)
Mount St. Mary's University is a private Catholic university in Emmitsburg, Maryland, offering a fully asynchronous online master of education built for working adults. The instructional design and technology concentration covers distance learning, accessible digital environments, learning theory, and the legal and ethical questions that come with them. Rolling admissions, no application fee, and transfer credit options make it easy to start mid-career. Master of Education in Instructional Design and Technology — Online Rolling admissionsEmployer tuition reimbursement 36 credit hours across 12 courses, fully asynchronous $620 per credit, about $22,470 total program tuition Rolling admissions with no application fee Transfer up to 9 graduate credits Practicum included, with three concentration options 20% tuition discount for partner employees; employer reimbursement supported 2.8 GPA minimum Focus on accessibility, legal, and ethical issues in digital learning Visit Website

Ed Tech Master's Tuition Compared: Per-Credit Rates, Fees, and Total Cost

For in-state students, annual graduate tuition and fees at the most affordable programs here run from $4,783 at Park University to $6,646 at Georgia Southern University. The real savings come from residency rules: Park charges the same rate whether you live in Missouri or not, and the University of West Georgia waives out-of-state tuition for online students, so its $19,600 out-of-state figure does not apply to online enrollees. Southeastern Oklahoma State posts the clearest all-in number: $9,870 in tuition for a 30-credit, 12-month program at $329 per credit. Many schools bill mandatory online or technology fees separately, so check each bursar page before you compare final totals.

M.Ed., MA, or MS: Choosing the Right Ed Tech Degree Title

The letters after "educational technology" signal a program's emphasis: applied practice, scholarship, or technical build skills. Each title can lead to strong outcomes, but they point toward different careers.

What Each Degree Title Usually Means

• M.Ed.: Practice-focused. Expect coursework on integrating technology into classrooms, leading digital initiatives, and coaching colleagues, often ending in a capstone or portfolio.
• MA: Theory and research oriented. Learning theory, media studies, and research methods carry more weight, and a thesis is common.
• MS: More technical. Programs may add data analysis, programming, learning analytics, or systems design.

Ed Tech vs. Instructional Design

Instructional design and learning experience design degrees concentrate on building courses and training for a defined audience. Educational technology casts a wider net, covering tool selection, school-wide technology integration, and digital policy. They overlap heavily in course design, assessment, and online learning, so many graduates move between the fields.

A Quick Rule of Thumb

• K-12 roles and goals tied to licensure, such as technology coach or director, lean M.Ed.
• Research interests or PhD plans lean MA or MS.
• Corporate learning and development leans instructional design.

Titles vary by school, and an M.Ed. at one university can look like an MS at another. Read the course list, the capstone requirements and any licensure options before you decide; the curriculum matters more than the label.

Admissions, Coursework, and Online Formats

A program that requires a GRE score, a 3.0 GPA and years of classroom experience differs sharply from one that asks mainly for a bachelor's degree.

What Admissions Actually Ask For

The shared baseline is a bachelor's degree and roughly 30 graduate credits. Beyond that, thresholds move. Adelphi recommends a 3.0 but invites strong applicants below it; Ohio State sets 3.0 as a minimum; Texas State accepts 2.75. The GRE is the easiest piece to plan around, since Lehigh, Adelphi and Texas State require neither the GRE nor the GMAT¹, and Texas A&M-Commerce waives it for applicants holding a 3.0. Teaching experience is often unnecessary: Adelphi states plainly that none is required, and other programs treat it as neither an advantage nor a barrier.

Coursework and Capstones

Core loads run from 18 credits at Southeastern to 21 at Ohio State, with remaining credits going to electives or a specialization. Final projects lean applied rather than thesis-based: an e-portfolio practicum at Ohio State, a multimedia studio at Adelphi, a hands-on build at Texas A&M-Commerce.²

Synchronous, Asynchronous, and Your Calendar

Ohio State and Texas State run asynchronous cohorts; Lehigh, Penn and Vanderbilt blend live sessions with self-paced work³; USF offers online, hybrid and in-person routes. Asynchronous means no fixed class hour. Blended means a weekly commitment you must protect.

Part-time students at Lehigh finish in 1.5 to 2.5 years.¹ Adelphi reports about two years at two to three courses per semester, or 14 months accelerated.

Related Articles

Is an Ed Tech Master's Worth the Investment?

Will a master's in educational technology pay for itself? For teachers in districts that reward a master's degree on the salary schedule, and for career changers aiming at corporate learning and development, the answer is often yes. For teachers whose district does not pay extra for the credential, the case is weaker unless the degree leads to a coaching, technology leadership, or training role.

What the Earnings and Debt Numbers Show

At California State University, Fullerton, graduates of the online M.S. in Educational Technology reported median earnings of $91,755 four years after completion. Median debt was about $20,300, which works out to roughly $231 a month on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Utah State University's master's program shows median earnings of $74,277 five years after completion, with median debt near $23,965 and a monthly payment around $273. Treat these as medians, not guarantees.

How the Degree Compares With Ed Tech Pay

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports instructional coordinators at a median of $77,440 a year (May 2025)¹. Training and development specialists, a broader category that overlaps with instructional design work, earn a median of $69,280². Training and development managers, who often supervise instructional designers, earn a median of $133,000³. A graduate who moves into coordination or corporate training can land near or above the program medians; a graduate who stays in a classroom role may not see an immediate jump.

The District Pay-Schedule Caveat

Teacher salary bumps are not automatic. They depend on the district's schedule, the lane placement for a master's, and whether the degree is in an approved subject area. Check your district's contract before you borrow. Where a clear master's lane exists, the degree can pay back in steady steps. Without one, the return depends on using the credential to change roles.

Where Does Instructional Coordinator Pay Land, From Entry Level to Top Earners?

Nationally, instructional coordinators earned a median of $77,440 in May 2025. The middle half of the field earned between $60,780 and $98,820, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $47,980, and the top 10 percent earned more than $121,670. When you compare this range with the program earnings in the rankings above, remember that school-level figures track recent graduates while this spread covers the whole occupation, including coordinators with many years in the role, so the median and middle band are a more realistic benchmark for your return than the top tier.

Additional Ed Tech Master's Programs Worth a Look

The directory below rounds out the ed tech options on this page with programs that sit outside the top-ranked group. Each entry lists location, delivery format, and program details so you can compare fit rather than rank. Several of these schools offer online cohorts, licensure-aligned tracks, or accelerated timelines.