Key Takeaways:
- The #1 school on our list of the top online master’s in education is the University of San Diego, followed by the University of Kansas.
- Online education master’s programs with strong financial aid support offer tuition cost savings and flexibility that lets you integrate your degree with your busy life.
- The average cost of an online master’s program in education is $42,010, according to the Education Data Initiative. The average starting salary for teachers is $44,530.
This ranking explores the best online master’s in education programs that offer strong financial support.
For many students, finding online schools that offer financial aid for programs like a master’s in education is the best way to secure their future. Online master’s in education programs equip both current and aspiring teachers with valuable skills to work more effectively with diverse students and in various educational settings. These education degree programs enhance teaching abilities and open up career opportunities in leadership, such as becoming a mentor teacher, principal, or curriculum developer.
Featured Programs
In some states, earning a master’s degree is required to maintain your teaching credentials. Even if it’s not mandatory where you live, pursuing a master’s can significantly improve your teaching skills and career prospects.
When pursuing a master’s degree, always be prepared for the financial investment you’ll make. According to the Education Data Initiative, MEd programs cost an average of $42,010. Some degrees, such as those from more prestigious universities like Columbia University, can cost up to $135,000.
Teaching is often seen as an underrated and underpaid profession. In fact, many people enter this field not for the money but out of a passion for sharing knowledge. For example, the average starting salary for teachers is $44,530, which is lower than the average salary for other jobs.
Your love and passion shouldn’t cause you financial instability. Fortunately, many online Master’s in Education programs offer strong financial aid support to help ease the burden of tuition costs. The first step is a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form.
The FAFSA helps you access scholarships, grants, work-study options, and low-interest loans. The FAFSA can greatly reduce your education costs—sometimes even to nothing!
Below we will list ten of the strongest online colleges with financial aid for students interested in a Master’s in Education as well as the importance of financial aid opportunities to make these degrees more affordable.
Related Articles:
- FAFSA and Financial Aid for Online College
- What Are the Prerequisites for a Master’s in Education?
- Top 40 Accelerated Online Master’s in Education Programs
- Does a Master’s in Education Increase a Teacher’s Salary?
- Master’s in Education Online: Top 50 Values
Methodology
In listing the top ten online schools that accept financial aid, we’ve considered several factors beyond financial aid offerings. We’ve also evaluated the strength and reputation of the institution and its online master’s degree program. We’ve ensured each college holds accreditation from a regional accrediting agency and specialized accreditation for its education programs.
In a Master of Education (MEd) program, you’ll deepen your understanding of teaching methods, classroom management, child development, and curriculum design. Many programs allow you to specialize in areas such as:
- Counseling
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Design Technology
- Early Childhood Education
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Higher Education
- Leadership
- Reading
Depending on your focus, you’ll take both specialized and foundational courses. Some examples of MEd courses include:
- Educational Psychology
- Curriculum Design
- Instructional Technology
- Assessment Strategies
Additionally, you might delve into topics like leadership in education, diverse learning needs, or research methodologies. The following online colleges that accept financial aid help you strike a balance between affordability and high-quality education.
#1 University of San Diego
Manchester, New Hampshire
Online Master of Education
Tuition: $21,300 total tuition
The online Masters of Education offered by the University of San Diego offers some of the most generous scholarships and grants. A few examples include:
- Teach Grant
- Diocesan of San Diego Employee Scholarship
- SOLES Global Studies Scholar Award
- SOLES Graduate Student Association Grant (SGSA)
- Torero Network Alumni Scholarships
- W. Scott McIntyre Memorial Scholarship
The program’s curriculum focuses on 21st-century skills, equity, social justice, and classroom inquiry. Alongside core classes, you can choose a specialization for deeper study in one of the following areas:
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Inclusive Learning (Special Education and Universal Design)
- School Leadership
- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics)
- Technology and Innovation
#2 University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Online Master of Science in Education
Tuition: $21,420 total tuition
The University of Kansas is one of the most sought-after online schools that offer financial aid. Its online Master’s in Education degree provides students with multiple financial aid options, from grants to loans. You might also qualify for additional tuition assistance from the KU School of Education and Human Sciences, such as the Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship.
KU’s online MSEd program offers three concentrations:
- Curriculum and Instruction Programs
- Special and Inclusive Education Programs
- Education Administration and Leadership Policy Programs
Those who pursue a master’s in high-incidence disabilities (teacher track) under the Special and Inclusive Education Programs can qualify for the TEACH Grants. These grants may be worth up to $4,000, and only successful completion of the FAFSA is required.
#3 Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
Online Master of Arts in Education
Tuition: $933 per credit hour
Practicing teachers who want to enhance their professional practice and leadership skills can consider Michigan State University’s online MA in Education. MSU offers hands-on guidance to its students in completing the FAFSA application. You can also quickly contact MSU’s officers and advisors and ask for help in landing external financial aid for online degrees.
MSU’s Masters in Education offers several concentrations, of which you can choose up to two:
- Athletic Administration Concentration
- Athletic Coaching Concentration
- Literacy Education Concentration
- P-12 School and Postsecondary Leadership Concentration
- Science and Mathematics Education Concentration
- Special Education Concentration
- Sports Coaching and Leadership Concentration
- Technology and Learning Concentration
You may also pursue a graduate certificate in a specific area of interest. Some of the certificates offered include Learning Design, Teacher Leadership, Sports Coaching, Educational Psychology, and much more.
#4 University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign
Champaign, Illinois
Online Masters in Education
Tuition: $520 per credit hour
One of the most affordable Masters of Education online is offered by the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign. On top of its low per credit hour cost, all new students are eligible for a need and merit-based scholarship. You can also qualify for assistantship stipends and stand-alone tuition waivers.
There are several concentrations:
- Bilingual Bi-cultural
- Curriculum & Instruction
- Digital Learning
- Diversity & Equity in Education
- Global Studies in Education
- Human Resource Development
- Instructional Design, Technology, & Organization
- International Education Administration & Leadership
- Learning Design & Leadership
- Perspectives and Practices
- Teaching Biology
- Trauma-Informed Practice and Pedagogy
You can earn your Master of Education in 18 months and connect with passionate educators worldwide.
#5 University of Wisconsin – Stout
Menomonie, Wisconsin
Online Master of Science in Education
Tuition: $524 per credit hour
The online Masters in Education offered by the University of Wisconsin Stout is one of the best-value degrees today. It provides a flexible curriculum tailored to your professional development goals. The core classes cover teaching, learning, and research, including an action research project.
You can also tailor your learning experience. You can choose to:
- pursue 12 credits of courses in a specific interest area
- mix courses from different fields
or
- pursue a reading teacher license or professional certificate
Aside from receiving federal aid from the FAFSA, you can also apply for other assistance. You can qualify for scholarships offered by the Stout University Foundation, apply for Graduate Assistantships, and ask for help from the school’s Multicultural Student Services.
#6 Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona
Online Master’s in Education
Tuition: $8,439 per year
Ranked as one of the most innovative colleges, Arizona State University’s online Online Master’s in Education offers a diverse range of specializations. You must choose at least two Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College focal areas. Some of the offered courses include but are not limited to:
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Early Childhood Education
- Special Education Endorsement
- Global Education
- Literacy Education
- Education For Planetary Futures
In addition to being one of the most customizable education masters programs, it’s also one of the most affordable. On top of its low tuition rates, students can also qualify for financial aid from the FAFSA, the institution, and its partners. All online and on-campus students will receive guidance from applying to the program to the job hunt.
#7 Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Online Master’s in Education
Tuition: $565 per credit (full-time); $615 per credit (part-time)
Aside from having one of the biggest online student populations, Liberty University is also known for offering various scholarship opportunities to its students. The Masters in Education online program at Liberty offers specialized online scholarships for different types of students. Regardless of whether you’re a US citizen or not, you can qualify for a scholarship.
Beyond its dedication to developing affordable, academically rigorous online masters in education programs, it also focuses on fostering a supportive community for students. The program’s curriculum also emphasizes high academic, moral, and spiritual standards. You can also customize your MEd by choosing from the following specializations:
- Advanced Licensure
- Add-On Endorsements
- Non-Licensure – Higher Education Programs
- Non-Licensure – Curriculum and Instruction
The coursework is fully online. However, some specializations offer internship opportunities to gain practical skills for educational leadership in various school settings.
#8 University of New Hampshire
Durham, New Hampshire
Online Master’s in Educational Studies
Tuition: $650 per credit (in-state); $715 per credit (out-of-state)
The University of New Hampshire’s master of education online program is a flexible degree program aimed at educators in various settings. Thanks to its low tuition cost and vast financial aid options, it’s also an affordable way to earn an advanced degree. According to UNH, 88% of its students receive aid/scholarships.
While this masters of education online does not lead to a teaching or administrative credential, it equips participants with the tools to explore teaching, mentoring, learning, and school reform. The curriculum includes core courses on contemporary educational issues, teaching analysis, research methods, and electives for further specialization. You’ll also undertake an inquiry project.
#9 Purdue Global
West Lafayette, Indiana
Online Master’s Degree in Education
Tuition: $420 per credit
Purdue Global’s online Masters of Education is best for P–12 teachers who want to advance their careers. This program will deepen your expertise in essential areas, including assessment practices and pedagogical strategies. You’ll also learn skills to address diverse learners’ needs while fostering professional relationships effectively.
Concentrations available include:
- Teaching Literacy and Language
- Teaching Students with Special Needs
- Educational Leadership
Purdue does offer some financial aid opportunities. As an online student, you may apply for federal and institutional scholarships and grants by completing the FAFSA application.
However, Purdue’s aid and scholarships are not as vast as other online education master’s programs. If it so happens that you don’t qualify for any assistance, the school’s financial aid officer will help you land external aid.
#10 Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Online Master of Arts in Education
Tuition: $459 per credit hour
The online Master’s in Education at Louisiana State University is best for students who want to focus on Educational Technology. This program trains students on using relevant theories, research, and best practices in educational technology. It equips students with the right skills to address the challenges in education and training.
Sample courses include:
- Technology Leadership in Education
- Advanced Telecommunications and Electronic Learning
- Design and Development of Multimedia Instructional Units
- Educational Technology Assessment & Evaluation
Financial aid options include employer funding and military benefits.
Applying for Financial Aid as an Education Student
Getting an advanced degree often comes at a high cost. If you can’t pay your tuition upfront, you’re not alone. A National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) study shows that over 84% of college students receive some form of financial aid from the FAFSA and private sources.
Fortunately, you can have access to various options to reduce out-of-pocket costs. The top most popular financial aid for teachers include:
Scholarships and Grants
These are considered to be the best option for assistance. Scholarships and grants are basically free money since you don’t need to repay them. There are thousands of grants and scholarships available for education majors!
The US Department of Labor offers a free scholarship search tool with over 8,000 options. Additionally, many schools provide their own scholarships and grants, so it’s wise to check with your school’s financial aid office. Here are a few tips on how to secure scholarships and grants for master’s in education degrees:
- Start your search well in advance to identify all available options.
- Customize your essays and applications to align with the goals and values of each scholarship or grant program.
- Maintain strong academics.
- Participate in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or leadership roles.
- Keep track of deadlines, required documents, and application statuses to avoid missing opportunities.
State Aid
Many states offer financial aid specifically for residents. They often include grants, loans, and work-study options. Here are some easy steps to access state aid:
- Check your state’s higher education agency for funding options.
- Fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible to qualify for both federal and state aid.
- Use online resources. Many states have online portals to help you find information on state aid.
Federal Loan Forgiveness
Loan forgiveness means that some or all of a borrower’s debt is canceled, so they no longer have to repay it. As an education professional, your chances of qualifying for loan forgiveness are high.
To qualify, you must make 120 on-time loan payments while employed. This requires ten years of consistent work and payments.
To apply, both you and your employer must complete the PSLF & Temporary Expanded PSLF Certification & Application. If you have FFEL Program loans or Perkins loans, convert them into a direct consolidation loan first. After that, submit the PSLF form to your loan servicer. It’s recommended that you resubmit your form annually or whenever you change jobs.
Loans are always available, but it’s important not to rely only on those. You need to exhaust all possible free aid to relieve current financial burdens without compromising the return on investment of your degree.