Most Affordable Online Master’s in Education Degrees

Whether you’re a licensed teacher seeking to enhance your skills and salary, hold a bachelor’s degree in a different field and aspire to become a teacher, or aim to pursue advanced roles in educational administration and instructional design, an online master’s degree in education can assist you in achieving your career goals in a format that accommodates your busy schedule.

Finding a high-quality, reasonably-priced online education master’s program from an accredited university has become easier than ever before. With this STEPS guide, discover an online master’s in education program that suits your budget and career objectives, as well as additional tips on obtaining financial assistance to pay for educational graduate school.

Author: Kathleen Curtis

Editor: STEPS Staff

Updated: 04/08/2025

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Inside Affordable Online Education Master’s Degrees: A Closer Look

Students working towards an online education master’s degree can secure funding from a variety of places, including the government, the school where they’ll earn their masters, and their employers. Some schools have lower online tuition rates than those charged for on-campus students, lowering the costs of tuition even further. An institution may reduce the advertised price for online students in the case of private schools. Finally, public schools sometimes let online learners pay the resident tuition rate regardless of where they live.

See some spotlighted school options below for details on what to expect in popular, cost-effective educational master’s programs.

Arizona State University (ASU)

The Online Master of Education in Higher and Postsecondary Education offered at Arizona State University features accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission and excellent faculty. The course focuses on providing students with the skills and leadership abilities to pursue careers with community colleges, universities, and other institutions. ASU also offers career services and research opportunities for students. This program will involve 30 total credits, 7.5 weeks per class, and 10 classes. Students can expect to complete this program within one year and six months.

Tuition and Fees: According to ASU’s tuition estimation calculator, part-time students can expect to pay around $8,440 for the academic year and full-time students will be looking at around $16,789 for the academic year. The calculator can be used to estimate both full-time and part-time tuition fees with adjusted breakdowns by credit hour, but keep in mind that the estimates will be provided without factoring in financial aid.

Financial Aid: Financial aid is available to ASU students, including federal and state aid, employer tuition benefits, and various other options. Students are able to pursue scholarships, payment plans, and transfer credits from previous institutions. Military assistance is available for veterans, active members, spouses, and dependents.

American College of Education (ACE)

American College of Education offers a Master’s in Education and a Master’s in Teaching Programs. The program prides itself on its flexible model designed with teachers in mind. The school also offers academic support with accessible faculty to ensure that students can access the networks they need to thrive in their studies. Students can select from about 17 programs, including but not limited to an M.Ed. in Advanced Studies, an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, an M.Ed. in Special Education, and more.

Tuition and Fees: Tuition will cost around $9,500, and students can expect to complete the program in around 15-20 months. Most M.Ed. programs offered at ACE will total around this sticker price, but students are encouraged to reach out to the school should they wish to research further information.

Financial Aid: Since ACE is a private institution, their for-profit nature means that the school does not accept federal financial aid such as Pell Grants or loans. Don’t let this discourage you, however, as private financing options and scholarships or grants are still accepted, and the school prides itself on its relatively affordable tuition overall.

Additional Costs: Graduates may be required to pursue additional steps such as licensures, endorsements, or certifications depending on the state they wish to pursue their work. Bear this in mind as this may add to the costs you need to budget for.

Walden University

The Online Master’s Degree in Education (MSEd) Program at Walden University features an offer that allows students to receive their final two courses tuition-free. Students are allowed to transfer up to 20 credits, ultimately taking the cost of their tuition down further. The school offers various specialization paths, which include Educational Leadership Administration, Elementary Reading and Literacy, Integrating Technology in the Classroom, and more.

Tuition and Fees: Tuition rates for Walden’s MS in Education are currently at $615 per quarter credit hour for coursework for the semester. Potential program fees may be added depending on the course you enroll in, so be sure to talk with the institution to get a full picture of what you can expect to pay.

Financial Aid: The school’s Office of Financial Aid (OFA) assists students with processing federal, state, and private financial aid. Student eligibility requirements for financial aid includes holding American citizenship, possessing a high-school diploma or equivalent, and more.

Strategies for Lowering the Cost of Your Online Education Master’s Degree

Luckily for students, making the cost of your education more affordable is possible once you know all of the resources and opportunities available to you. Check out some of the top ways to earn your degree without breaking the bank.

1. Apply to scholarships, grants, and fellowships created for education master’s students

You can find plenty of educational funding in the form of scholarships, grants, and fellowships if you plan to study education. For instance, the Leon Bradley Scholarship Program offered by the American Association of School Personnel Administrators provides $3,500 to qualified students. Start your search for scholarships, grants, and fellowships early with our STEPS financial aid guide and our Resources, Scholarships and Support Services for Education & Teaching Majors guide.

2. Look into Student Loan Forgiveness for teachers

Qualified teachers can receive up to $17,500 of loan forgiveness for their unsubsidized loans. Applicants must work full-time for at least five academic years at a school that serves low-income students. Requirements vary based on whether you teach elementary, middle, or high school, so be sure to review the eligibility information carefully before applying.

3. Ask about a tuition reimbursement program from your employer

If you’re employed by a private school, you may be eligible for a tuition reimbursement program that can help cover educational expenses. Employers can provide up to $5,250 annually tax-free (amounts exceeding this are not tax-free) to cover expenses such as tuition, textbooks and supplies, and required fees. Even if your employer does not advertise this benefit, it’s worth asking them if it’s an option.

4. Take advantage of work-study

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) indicates if you qualify for work-study funds. If you do, apply to in-person or virtual part-time jobs at your university and receive at least the federal minimum wage. In some cases, you can request work-study positions that directly relate to your master’s degree, thereby gaining valuable experience before graduating. Indiana University Southeast provides a solid example of what to look for in work-study opportunities.

5. Take on a research or teaching assistantship

You may qualify for a research or teaching assistantship within your school of education. Compensation for these positions varies across universities. Some provide stipends to help cover costs, while others provide tuition remission or specific scholarships. These positions tend to be highly competitive, so begin researching them early. The Graduate School at the University of Kentucky provides an example of a school offering these positions.

Factors Impacting the Affordability of Your Online Master’s in Education

If you’re seeking ways to keep your expenses low before pursuing additional funding sources, it’s essential to understand that several factors can influence the actual cost of your degree. In this section, we examine a few common factors that students should take into account.

Public vs. Private

Whether you attend a public or private university can have a huge impact on how much you pay for your online Master in Education. In general, students (especially those in-state) can expect public colleges to offer lower tuition rates thanks to government funding, whereas private colleges cost more due to their being funded by student tuition and donations.

Resident vs. Non-Resident Status

Because public schools receive state funding for resident learners, attending one of these institutions in your home state can save serious dollars. As mentioned earlier, in-state students can reap the benefit of lower tuition rates, so consider staying local as you earn your degree.

Online Student Tuition Rate

Some schools have lower online tuition rates than those charged for on-campus students. In the case of private schools, the institution may reduce the advertised price for online students. Finally, public schools sometimes let online learners pay the resident tuition rate regardless of where they live.

School-Based Funding

Many schools provide department-specific scholarships and other types of funding to students enrolled in education master’s programs. Some of these are awarded based on merit while others focus on supporting students with financial needs. Review the Laverne I. & Marvin L. Colness “Pay it Forward” Scholarship offered at the University of Minnesota Duluth as an example.

Fees

Students don’t always consider fees outside of tuition when creating a budget. While online learners avoid many campus-based costs such as parking passes, facilities usage, gym memberships, and campus-based housing, they still incur some added feels. Technology and student service fees are common for online students.

Ranking the Most Affordable Online Master’s in Education Degree Programs

Students like you don’t need to look far for the best schools for your education degree. When it comes to affordable programs, our data scientists have compiled this ranked list of the top choices after factoring in considerations such as online formats, proper institutional accreditation, and the availability of student support resources. Discover the schools that made their way onto our list here.

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