Everybody loves a good value, and that’s as true here in the American south as anywhere in the world. So when it comes time for educators in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, or Louisiana to start shopping around for places to earn degrees in educational leadership, it’s a good bet that affordability will be a factor.
And there continues to be a need for capable educational leaders down here, even though you’re more likely to run into an educational administrator in Texas than just about anywhere else in the country. According to BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) data, that’s the state with the highest employment level of K-12 ed admins in the country.
Other states have different factors that are driving the need for truly inspired change agents at the top rungs of educational leadership—Oklahoma and Louisiana both rank near the bottom of EdWeek’s 2021 list of states by educational achievement. But if the dedicated contingent of educational leaders here intent on turning things around have anything to say about it, that won’t be the case for long.
The south in general is the region of the country that has the highest numbers of children currently enrolled in school. That means more schools, more teachers, and more need for educational administration.
Yet it’s also the region that tends to invest the least in teacher salaries—which creates an affordability problem for teachers trying to move up into leadership positions with a master’s degree. That’s why we believe our list of the most affordable educational leadership master’s programs offered at private universities is sure to land like a soft summer rain on a parched prairie for anyone searching for the best value.
You can dive into all the details of how we set the affordability criteria and selected the schools here, but all you really have to do is check out the schools themselves. You’ll see pretty quickly that we’ve managed to come up with a lot of affordable options, all of which offer uncompromising quality on your path to qualifying for administrator certification right here in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, or Louisiana.
The Most Affordable Administrator Prep Master’s Programs in Educational Leadership in the West Central Region
Arkansas
Harding University
Cannon-Clary College of Education
Searcy, AR
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership - Principal (on-campus)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $12,300
Only private master’s program in educational leadership with an administrator certification option in Arkansas.
- Also offers: EdD in Educational Leadership
- Named a Best College for Your Money by Money Magazine
- Ranked among the top schools for student engagement by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education
Your current educator license and at least one year of teaching experience will gain you entry into Harding University’s MEd in Educational Leadership, an exciting course of graduate study that’s designed to prepare you for a career as a principal or superintendent. You’ll love the dedicated faculty here and the diverse student body that includes nearly 5,000 students from 47 states and more than 50 nations, and you’re sure to appreciate the school’s many accolades from esteemed publications like the Princeton Review, the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education, and Money Magazine.
Louisiana
Louisiana Christian University
Pineville, LA
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $14,832
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $8,388 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Ranked among the top colleges in the nation for student diversity by niche.com
- Earn your degree in just 18 months
- Fully online course of study offers outstanding convenience and flexibility
Priced at more than $8,000 below the state average among similar programs and delivered in a 100% online format for superior convenience and flexibility, Louisiana Christian University’s MEd in Educational Leadership is your path to a career as a school administrator! You’re sure to love this dynamic program, as it’s taught by a highly qualified faculty, some of whom are still practicing school administrators. In just 18 months, the MEd in Educational Leadership will take you from educator to educational leader!
Oklahoma
Mid-America Christian University
School of Teacher Education
Oklahoma City, OK
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership and Administration (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $16,500
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $263 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Oklahoma educators receive an additional 10 percent tuition discount
- Superb convenience – all courses are delivered through a fully online format in a consecutive order
- Convenient, six-week courses
- Also offers:
- MA in Higher Education Administration
- Educational Leadership and Administration Certificate
Your career in P-12 administration is just months away through Mid-America Christian University’s affordable MEd in Educational Leadership and Administration! We love this fully online program because it aligns perfectly with the needs of today’s busy, working educators. And educators employed in Oklahoma schools receive another 10 percent off the tuition price! Whether your career plans include a move into a principal, superintendent, administrator, or other school leader role, this program has everything you need to succeed. Grounded in leadership from a Christian perspective, this program is dynamic and complete and includes outstanding support from a dedicated faculty.
Texas
Southern Methodist University
Simmons School of Education and Human Development
Dallas, TX
Website
MEd in Accelerated School Leadership (on-campus)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $23,550
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $1,640 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Ranked among the nation’s Top-Tier Graduate Schools by U.S. News & World Report
- Designed in an engaging cohort model for maximum collaboration and communication
- Accelerated program allows you to earn your degree in just 13 months
- Also offers:
- MEd in Urban Educational Leadership
- MEd in Higher Education
- EdD in Higher Education
- EdD in PK-12 School Leadership
- PhD in Education Policy and Leadership
Southern Methodist University’s MEd in Accelerated School Leadership is an affordable course of graduate study that offers superb preparation for leadership positions in education. Choose this exciting program and you’ll meet principal certification requirements as you explore topics like organizational behavior and change; instructional leadership; administrative leadership; human capital; and more. This 30-credit program starts in June and ends the following July – that’s just 13 months to earn your MEd in Accelerated School Leadership!
Lubbock Christian University
School of Education
Lubbock, TX
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership (hybrid)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $21,780
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $3,410 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Ranked among the Top Regional Universities in the West by U.S. News & World Report
- Unique hybrid courses features a blend of online and on-campus study
- Also offers: Post-Graduate Superintendent Certification
A unique hybrid format and an affordable price tag are just two of the many perks of Lubbock Christian University’s MEd in Educational Leadership program! This program includes all of the necessary coursework and practical experiences for principal certification in Texas, and it features an optimal blend of online and on-campus study for a flexible and convenient course of study for today’s busy, working educators. This dynamic course of study prepares students to assume top roles as educational leaders and administrators in public schools and beyond!
Houston Baptist University
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Houston, TX
Website
MEd in Educational Administration (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $21,600
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $3,590 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Named a Best Value School in the West by U.S. News & World Report
- Features flexible, eight-week, online courses
- Also offers:
- MEd in Higher Education, Principal Certification, Superintendent Certification
- EdD in Executive Educational Leadership
- EdD in Special Education Leadership
- EdD in Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services
Houston Baptist University’s MEd in Educational Administration offers superb affordability alongside a fully online format that delivers the convenience and flexibility demanded by today’s busy, working educators. Whether your career aspirations involve becoming a principal or assistant principal, director, supervisor, or coordinator in primary and secondary schools, this program has what you need to achieve! Offering flexible, eight-week online courses that include weekly assignments, readings, discussions, and group work, the MEd is expertly designed to prepare you to pass the TExES exam and earn your Texas Standard Principal Certificate. All online courses allow you to work at your own pace and on your own time for superb convenience!
Schreiner University
Kerrville, TX
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $18,612
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $6,578 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Certification and non-certification tracks available
- Ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the West by U.S. News & World Report
- Named a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report
- Award-winning faculty offers personalized attention and close mentoring
- Superb convenience and flexibility offered through a fully online format
Priced nearly $7,000 below the state average among similar programs and offered in a fully online format, Houston Baptist University’s MEd in Educational Administration delivers both affordability and convenience for educators with aspirations of climbing the career ladder and assuming positions in educational leadership and administration. To round out this program you can expect personal attention through small class sizes and a dedicated faculty, three start dates per year for maximum convenience, and a clear focus on three curriculum blocks: Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Leadership, and Organizational Leadership. Earn your MEd plus principal certification in just two years!
University St. Thomas
School of Education and Human Services
Houston, TX
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $17,940
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $7,250 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Ranked among America’s Top Colleges by Forbes
- Fully online design offers superb convenience and flexibility for busy, working educators
The University of St. Thomas’ MEd in Educational Leadership is priced more than $7,000 below the state average among similar programs, making it a clear winner for affordability in Texas! You’re sure to also love the program’s fully online design that aligns with the needs of today’s busy, working educators. Your two-plus years of teaching experience and teaching certification are all that’s needed to begin the MEd in Educational Leadership and work toward a career as a school principal or other administrator in the educational system. Graduate from this exciting course of study and you’ll be well-positioned to take the TExES Principal exam and begin the next phase of your career!
Huston-Tillotson University
College of Arts and Sciences
Austin, TX
Website
MEd in Language and Literacy – concentration in Principal Certification (hybrid)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $16,929
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $8,261 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Convenient and flexible hybrid format - on-campus courses are offered on Saturdays, and online courses are held on weekday evenings
- Eight-week courses offer superb convenience
- Graduate in as little as one calendar year
Huston-Tillotson University’s MEd in Language and Literacy offers an affordable, streamlined path to a career in educational administration and leadership you’re sure to love! This on-campus course of study is priced more than $8,000 below the state average among similar programs and offered in an convenient and flexible hybrid format that includes online evening and on-campus Saturday courses. This dynamic course of graduate study comes complete with a practitioner-focused curriculum, an engaging and supportive academic environment, and an accelerated design that allows you to earn your MEd in just one calendar year!
Trinity University
Department of Education
San Antonio, TX
Website
MEd in School Leadership (on-campus)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $15,012
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $10,178 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Ranked among the Best Liberal Arts Colleges in the Nation by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education
- Unique focus on urban school leadership
- Superb opportunities to network, learn from experts in the field, and receive individualized coaching sessions
- Earn your degree in just 14 months
Trinity University’s MEd in School Leadership features an affordable course of study for the aspiring educational administrator/leader! This exciting course of graduate study is designed as an engaging, dynamic cohort of educators who are ready to take on the challenges of urban school leadership in the greater San Antonio area. In fact, the curriculum of this program is uniquely designed to produce transformational and social justice leaders who deftly apply instructional leadership, community-building, and policy advocacy skills to the schools they lead. Some of the other features of this program that we love include opportunities to learn from national speakers through the Center for Educational Leadership, participate in a variety of networking, professional development, and research events, and participate in weekly individualized leadership coaching sessions. Choose Trinity’s MEd in School Leadership and you’ll be prepared to earn your Texas Principal Certificate and begin the next phase of your career in just 14 months!
East Texas Baptist University
School of Education
Marshall, TX
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership Certification (on-campus)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $11,610
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $13,580 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Named a Best Value School in the West by U.S. News & World Report
- Fully online program offers outstanding convenience and flexibility
- Graduate in just 12 months
- Also offers: MEd in Sports Leadership, Teacher Certification, Curriculum & Instruction, School Counseling, or English/History/Math
A Christian foundation… an accelerated, 12-month design… and a price tag that places it among the most affordable of its kind in Texas. This is just the beginning of what East Texas Baptist University’s MEd in Educational Leadership Certification has to offer! This exciting course of graduate study prepares educators to take the TExES Principal exam and begin a career in educational leadership and administration. You’re also sure to love the convenience of this fully online program designed to work with your busy schedule.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Waxahachie, TX
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership – Public School Administration (on-campus)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $10,500
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $14,690 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Small class sizes ensure outstanding, personalized attention
- Features a focus on the administrative issues and ethical concerns of today’s culturally diverse learning environments
- Also offers: MEd in Educational Leadership – Christian School Administration
Priced nearly $15,000 below the state average among similar programs, Southwestern Assemblies of God’s MEd in Educational Leadership is sure to please even the most budget-conscious student! This course of graduate study is expertly designed to produce educational leaders and administrators who maximize school effectiveness and create school-wide visions in P-12 settings. The curriculum of this program, which prepares students to take the TExES Principal exam, includes a focus on the administrative issues and ethical concerns of today’s culturally diverse learning environments and on issues related to legal, accountability, finance, public relations, and instructional leadership.
North American University
Houston, TX
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $9,300
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $15,890 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Home to an esteemed faculty with a vast body of experience as campus or district leaders
- Fully online design offers superb convenience and flexibility
- Graduate in as little as a year
North American University’s MEd in Educational Leadership is priced among the most affordable of its kind in Texas and designed in the convenient and flexible online format that today’s busy, working educators demand! This dynamic course of graduate study prepares students for Texas Principal Certification and for roles such as assistant principal, principal, district administrator, and more. Choose North American’s 30-credit MEd and you can graduate in as little as a year!
Texas Wesleyan University
School of Education
Fort Worth, TX
Website
MEd in Administration (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $9,180
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $16,010 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Convenient, online design includes your choice of six start dates throughout the year
- Earn your degree in less than a year
- Also offers:
- MEd in Curriculum & Instruction
- Superintendent Certificate
- EdD in Educational Leadership
Texas Wesleyan University’s MEd in Administration is among the most affordable of its kind in Texas! It’s also offered in a fully online design that offers superior convenience and flexibility and aligns well with the needs of today’s busy, working educators. Other reasons you’re sure to love this program include one-on-one attention from a dedicated faculty and an accelerated design that allows you to earn your MEd in less than a year! Choose the concentration in Administration and you’ll learn from instructors who are former principals, administrators, and superintendents as you prepare to take the TExES exam.