It’s hard to find a group of states that encapsulate as many differences and as much diversity as those found in the Mountain region. But one thing that binds all the states in the Mountain West is the fact that they are all experiencing significant population growth along with all the socio-economic changes that can bring.
Between western Montana, Boise, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and the Denver metro area, many school districts have been welcoming a lot of new students in the past few years. According to Census Bureau data from 2021, almost 15 percent of the population here moved since the previous year… a rate that’s 20 percent higher than the rest of the country.
Pulled in by strong economic prospects, the beauty and livability of the area, and an escape from expensive urban areas, new arrivals will all tell you they’ve landed in paradise.
There are winners and losers in the education system that come with that shuffling. EdWeek’s 2021 Educational Achievement ratings put Utah in the Top Ten—and New Mexico second to last.
Educational Leadership Programs at Private Schools May Be More Affordable Than You Think
Not every community in the Mountain region is experiencing the same booming economic conditions as Phoenix or Denver. And not every educator here that’s looking to move into leadership can comfortably manage the cost of earning the graduate degree they need to do so.
That’s why we put together this list of programs to showcase the most affordable private university educational leadership master’s degrees in each state. Since all are offered at private universities with the resources and academic expertise to deliver first-rate leadership training, they come with an uncompromising commitment to quality and offer an exceptional value.
If you’re wondering why we stuck with private universities, and how exactly we determined their affordability, you can find those answers on our page explaining the exact criteria we considered.
The proof is in the pricing, though—click through a few and you’ll see exactly what kind of value you can get, no matter where you are in the Mountain West.
The Most Affordable Administrator Prep Master’s Programs in Educational Leadership in the Mountain Region
Arizona
Ottawa University-Phoenix
School of Education
Surprise, AZ
Website
MAEd in School Leadership (on-campus, online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $17,964
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $1,782 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Accelerated, eight-week terms provide unmatched convenience
- Your choice of on-campus or online course delivery
- Extensive alumni network of 20,000+
Ottawa University’s MAEd in School Leadership is an accelerated course of graduate study that’s offered on-campus and online for outstanding convenience and flexibility for aspiring educational administrators and leaders like you! Through this dynamic program, you’ll take exciting courses like instructional design and evaluation, educational law, and school finances and engage in field experiences that will allow you to begin applying what you’ve learned in the classroom in real-life settings. And its accelerated, eight-week terms are designed with outstanding convenience in mind. Pathways are available for both Kansas licensure and Arizona certification!
Colorado
Colorado Christian University
College of Adult and Graduate Studies
Lakewood, CO
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $20,052
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $412 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Licensure and non-licensure track available
- Ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the West by U.S. News & World Report (2022-2023)
- Ranked among the nation’s Most Innovative Schools by U.S. News & World Report (2022-2023)
- Fully online course of study can be completed in as little as 20 months
- Convenient, five-week courses offer superior convenience
Colorado Christian University’s MEd in Educational Leadership provides teachers and school administrators with the education they need to take their careers to the next level. This modern course of graduate study provides a solid leadership framework that aligns with the challenges faced by today’s school administrators and can be designed as a licensure and non-licensure program. Take one course at a time every five weeks and you can earn your MEd in Educational Leadership in as little as 20 months!
Regis University
Division of Education
Denver, CO
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership with Principal Licensure (hybrid)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $17,160
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $3,304 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Also offers: Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership-Principal Licensure
- Outstanding record of student achievement – 97% completion rate for the MEd Principal Licensure program
- Convenient hybrid course delivery
- Eight-week courses offer unmatched flexibility and convenience
Regis University’s MEd in Educational Leadership is your path to principal licensure in Colorado! This dynamic course of study is offered in a hybrid format that makes earning your master’s degree in educational leadership easier and more convenient than ever. This program is designed to help you hone your personal leadership style in a cohort-based model that allows you to work alongside peers, creating a supportive and collaborative learning experience that will leave a lasting impact. Convenient, eight-week courses and three start dates per year allow you to earn your MEd in Educational Leadership in just 12-24 months!
Idaho
Northwest Nazarene University
Nampa, ID
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership: Building Administrator (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $19,440
Only private master’s program in educational leadership with an administrator certification option in Idaho.
- Ranked among the Best Regional Universities in the West by U.S. News & World Report
- Named among the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges in the West
- Fully online delivery provides outstanding convenience and flexibility for working educators
- Also offers:
- PhD in Educational Leadership
- EdD in Educational Leadership
- EdD in Educational Leadership (Superintendent, Building Administration)
- EdS in Director of Special Education
Northwest Nazarene University’s MEd in Educational Leadership: Building Administrator provides a dynamic path to a career in building-level leadership and the PreK-12 School Principal Endorsement you need to get there! Designed to prepare tomorrow’s assistant principals and principals, this fully online course of graduate study consists of 36 credits that can be completed in as little as 21 months. This exciting program comes complete with a nine-month administrative internship that will allow you to immediately begin learning through real-life experiences.
Montana
Rocky Mountain College
Billings, MT
Website
Master of Educational Leadership (hybrid)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $21,386
Only private master’s program in educational leadership with an administrator certification option in Montana.
- Courses available either on-campus (evenings) or online
- Program complemented with five-day, on-campus residences at the beginning and end of the program
- Designed as a convenient, 11-month accelerated program
- Cohort design offers outstanding collaboration and networking opportunities
An exceptional value in graduate education and a unique, hybrid design that combines on-campus residences with online study are just the beginning of what Rocky Mountain College’s Master of Educational Leadership has to offer aspiring educational leaders and administrators like you! Designed as an accelerated, 11-month cohort program, this program begins with a five-day residential orientation in August and ends with a five-day residential capstone the following June. During the course of the program, students will complete two intensive internships as they take classes either online or on-campus in Billings.
New Mexico
University of the Southwest
College of Education
Hobbs, NM
Website
MSE in Educational Leadership (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $23,364
Only private master’s program in educational leadership with an administrator certification option in New Mexico.
- Licensure and non-licensure tracks available
- Ranked among the Top Online Education Programs by U.S. News & World Report
- Designed as a convenient and flexible fully online program for busy, working educators
A career in educational leadership and administration is in your reach through the University of the Southwest’s MSE in Educational Leadership! This affordable course of graduate study is designed as a fully online adult-learner focused program for busy, working educators. It’s also rich in the real-world experiences that effortlessly bridge theory and practice and prepare principals to lead with confidence in today’s diverse school environments. Students are eligible to apply for an administrator license in New Mexico upon completion of this 36-credit program.
Utah
Western Governors University
School of Education
Salt Lake City, UT
Website
MS in Educational Leadership (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $16,653
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $6,151 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Named a Best Value School by University Research & Review
- Earn your degree in about 21 months
- Online format offers unparalleled convenience and accessibility
- Home to an esteemed faculty and dedicated mentors
Western Governors University’s MS in Educational Leadership offers an outstanding value in graduate education and features the online format that makes earning the degree that takes your career in education to the next level easier and more convenient than ever! Designed to prepare educators to become ethical, confident leaders, this program features a focus on educational governance, finance, law, leadership, and strategic planning in modern educational institutions. Here you’ll learn how to oversee educators, develop and implement curriculum standards, manage educational budgets, help students achieve established academic goals, and much more.