The education system is waiting for top-quality leaders. If you work as a teacher or education professional, you have likely seen this need up close and personal. Perhaps it’s time to take the next step in your career. Perhaps it’s time to look for one of the cheapest online doctorate in educational leadership programs to help meet this need.
Schools, districts, and universities need people who can manage budgets, create class curriculum, define education goals, and organize staffs for the best possible results. In the end, it’s all about what’s best for the students, and schools across the country need leaders who can help achieve this result. Are you ready to meet the challenge?
These programs are designed for current educators with master’s degrees who want to become leaders in education. Depending on the program, graduates may be eligible for work as a superintendent, principal, college administrator, university president, education consultant, training manager, and more.
We have created the most reliable database of online education degrees out there. Whether you need the cheapest online doctorate in educational leadership or a program that fits specific goals regardless of cost, you’ll find it here. We have identified 153 programs from 105 schools, giving you plenty of options. With so many degrees, there is also a wide range of prices.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$43,900
Least Expensive: Valdosta State University ~$16,765
Most Expensive: University of Southern California ~$92,086
This database uses a simple formula to create reliable information and rankings. All programs above the dividing line are priced under the average cost, making them our “Best Buys” for online doctoral programs in educational leadership.
The Cheapest EdS Educational Leadership Online Programs
University of West Alabama 
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Valdosta State University | (GA) | $16,765.00 | All Students |
2 | University of Wyoming | (WY) | $16,984.00 $25,784.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | The University of Texas at Arlington | (TX) | $18,040.00 | All Students |
4 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | (NE) | $18,860.00 $23,630.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | Lamar University | (TX) | $19,440.00 | All Students |
6 | Marshall University | (WV) | $20,025.00 | All Students |
7 | University of Arkansas | (AR) | $20,362.00 | All Students |
8 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell | (MA) | $21,000.00 | All Students |
9 | Northwest Nazarene University | (ID) | $22,975.00 | All Students |
10 | University of West Florida | (FL) | $23,076.00 $28,730.00 $23,076.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
11 | University of the Cumberlands | (KY) | $23,500.00 | All Students |
12 | Northern Illinois University | (IL) | $23,940.00 | All Students |
13 | Southern Arkansas University | (AR) | $25,860.00 | All Students |
14 | University of Colorado Denver | (CO) | $26,062.00 $30,706.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 | Northwest Nazarene University | (ID) | $26,200.00 | All Students |
16 | National University | (CA) | $26,520.00 | All Students |
17 | Texas Tech University | (TX) | $27,995.00 $53,699.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
18 | Indiana State University | (IN) | $28,344.00 $36,597.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
19 | Texas A & M University - Commerce | (TX) | $28,780.00 $53,260.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
20 | Anderson University - SC | (SC) | $29,040.00 | All Students |
21 | University of Southern Mississippi | (MS) | $29,100.00 | All Students |
22 | Texas Tech University | (TX) | $29,265.00 $56,193.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
23 | Delta State University | (MS) | $30,142.00 | All Students |
24 | Stephen F. Austin State University | (TX) | $30,194.00 $54,674.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
25 | Southeastern University | (FL) | $30,330.00 | All Students |
26 | Texas Woman's University | (TX) | $30,405.00 $61,005.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
27 | Florida State University | (FL) | $30,654.00 $74,221.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
28 | National University | (CA) | $31,200.00 | All Students |
29 | University of Montana | (MT) | $31,450.00 $86,620.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
30 | Evangel University | (MO) | $31,490.00 | All Students |
31 | University of Montana | (MT) | $31,791.00 $87,574.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
32 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $31,903.00 $29,119.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
33 | Tennessee State University | (TN) | $31,980.00 $45,720.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
34 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | (IL) | $32,000.00 | All Students |
35 | The University of Alabama | (AL) | $32,400.00 | All Students |
36 | University of Kentucky | (KY) | $32,913.00 | All Students |
37 | Idaho State University | (ID) | $32,969.00 | All Students |
38 | Sam Houston State University | (TX) | $33,117.00 | All Students |
39 |  Liberty University | (VA) | $33,724.00 $14,950.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
40 | Idaho State University | (ID) | $34,591.00 | All Students |
41 | National University | (CA) | $35,100.00 | All Students |
42 | Virginia Commonwealth University | (VA) | $35,248.00 $69,136.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
43 | Morehead State University | (KY) | $35,400.00 | All Students |
44 | Old Dominion University | (VA) | $36,170.00 $37,610.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
45 | Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $36,420.00 | All Students |
46 | Wilmington University | (DE) | $37,036.00 | All Students |
47 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | (PA) | $37,284.00 $41,592.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
48 | Rivier University | (NH) | $37,346.00 | All Students |
49 | Liberty University | (VA) | $37,543.00 | All Students |
50 |  William Carey University | (MS) | $37,610.00 | All Students |
51 |  University of West Alabama | (AL) | $38,220.00 | All Students |
52 | National University | (CA) | $39,000.00 | All Students |
53 | Pennsylvania Western University | (PA) | $39,068.00 $58,405.00 $29,435.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
54 | Frostburg State University | (MD) | $39,240.00 $49,080.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
55 | California Baptist University | (CA) | $39,340.00 | All Students |
56 | University of Arizona | (AZ) | $39,375.00 | All Students |
57 | College of Saint Mary | (NE) | $39,420.00 | All Students |
58 | East Tennessee State University | (TN) | $39,600.00 $48,900.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
59 | Touro University Nevada | (NV) | $39,700.00 | All Students |
60 |  Aurora University | (IL) | $40,200.00 $25,200.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
61 | Kent State University | (OH) | $40,673.00 $41,393.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
62 | Houston Christian University | (TX) | $41,755.00 | All Students |
63 | Southwestern College - Kansas | (KS) | $41,760.00 | All Students |
64 | Trevecca Nazarene University | (TN) | $41,940.00 | All Students |
65 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | (TN) | $42,000.00 $46,500.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
66 | Columbia International University | (SC) | $42,500.00 | All Students |
67 | University of Northern Colorado | (CO) | $43,008.00 | All Students |
68 | Hampton University | (VA) | $43,050.00 | All Students |
69 | Saint Leo University | (FL) | $43,065.00 | All Students |
70 | Franklin University | (OH) | $43,534.00 | All Students |
71 | Wilkes University | (PA) | $43,546.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
George Fox University | (OR) | $44,240.00 | All Students | |
Union University | (TN) | $44,400.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University - Chicago | (IL) | $44,408.00 | All Students | |
The College of Saint Scholastica | (MN) | $45,560.00 | All Students | |
Gratz College | (PA) | $45,757.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University - Chicago | (IL) | $45,872.00 | All Students | |
Kansas State University | (KS) | $45,954.00 | All Students | |
Western Michigan University | (MI) | $47,077.00 | All Students | |
National Louis University | (IL) | $47,665.00 | All Students | |
University of the Southwest | (NM) | $47,940.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University Irvine | (CA) | $48,075.00 | All Students | |
Saint Peter's University | (NJ) | $48,214.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University - Chicago | (IL) | $48,312.00 | All Students | |
University of Mary | (ND) | $48,440.00 | All Students | |
St. Thomas University | (FL) | $48,620.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University - Chicago | (IL) | $50,384.00 | All Students | |
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | (MN) | $51,565.00 | All Students | |
Rowan University | (NJ) | $52,600.00 | All Students | |
Pacific University | (OR) | $52,636.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University - Chicago | (IL) | $53,064.00 | All Students | |
Saint Elizabeth University | (NJ) | $53,325.00 | All Students | |
Minnesota State University-Moorhead | (MN) | $53,600.00 | All Students | |
Bay Path University | (MA) | $53,730.00 | All Students | |
Central Michigan University | (MI) | $53,789.00 | All Students | |
Endicott College | (MA) | $54,100.00 | All Students | |
Abilene Christian University | (TX) | $54,420.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $55,300.00 | All Students | |
Point Park University | (PA) | $56,268.00 | All Students | |
Auburn University | (AL) | $56,700.00 | All Students | |
Gwynedd Mercy University | (PA) | $56,713.00 | All Students | |
Marymount University | (VA) | $57,120.00 | All Students | |
Northeastern University | (MA) | $58,140.00 | All Students | |
Edgewood College | (WI) | $58,518.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $60,750.00 | All Students | |
Xavier University of Louisiana | (LA) | $62,032.00 | All Students | |
Eastern Michigan University | (MI) | $65,300.00 | All Students | |
Samford University | (AL) | $67,892.00 | All Students | |
City University of Seattle | (WA) | $68,865.00 | All Students | |
University of Dayton | (OH) | $72,675.00 | All Students | |
American University | (DC) | $72,680.00 | All Students | |
Fordham University | (NY) | $80,402.00 | All Students | |
Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $82,775.00 | All Students | |
Drexel University | (PA) | $83,760.00 $58,680.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Andrews University | (MI) | $84,660.00 | All Students | |
Molloy University | (NY) | $85,635.00 | All Students | |
New York University | (NY) | $90,223.00 | All Students | |
University of Southern California | (CA) | $92,086.00 | All Students |
Program Note: To qualify for a ranking, the online doctorate in educational leadership must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table. Degrees labeled with superscript 14 indicate that options for this program have changed since publication.
CAEP Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
AAQEP Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Rankings Note: These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter/Spring 2023 review of regionally accredited online doctoral programs in educational leadership. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online doctoral programs in educational leadership in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules. The published cost is the estimated sticker price for the doctorate in educational leadership online, including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note: Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers an online doctorate in educational leadership that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online doctorate in educational leadership programs may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the cheapest online doctorate in educational leadership programs for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Why Choose One of the Cheapest Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership Programs?
Whether you want to improve the education system or simply desire a higher income, there are many reasons why you might choose one of these online doctoral programs in educational leadership.
- Higher earnings: The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the median weekly earnings for someone with a doctoral degree is $2,083. With 52 weeks of payment a year, the median annual income would be $108,316.
- Improve schools and districts: Education professionals have more motivation than just money. If you want to improve your area schools and create better education for students, these degrees can help.
- Jobs in all areas, all sectors: Depending on the degree, graduates of these programs can work in education, non-profit, and government sectors. They can even find careers in the private sector.
What to Expect from One of the Cheapest Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership Programs
When you enroll in one of these degrees, you’ll be exposed to a wide variety of topics, ideas, philosophies, and proven theories related to education. For the most part, the degrees focus on leadership in the educational system. This means a deep study of subjects like the financial structure of schools and districts, hiring practices related to teachers, managing the finite resources of a school, and reviewing teacher performance throughout the school year.
Specializations with these online doctoral programs in educational leadership include:
- Education policy studies
- STEM education leadership
- Rural schools
- Higher education leadership
- Curriculum
- Organizational change
Education Doctorate: PhD vs EdD
In this database, you’ll find two broad doctorate types:
- Doctorate of education (EdD)
- Doctorate of philosophy (PhD) in education
They may sound nearly identical, but they are quite different.
The biggest difference is time. A doctorate of education takes about three years to complete, while a PhD in education will require as much as seven or eight years to finish. Because doctorate of philosophy programs are larger degrees, they generally have a higher price as well. (Of course, the total cost is usually spread over a longer period.)
A PhD in education is an academic research degree. They are often held by professors of education or advanced researchers in academia. An EdD is usually more focused on the fine details of the academic system, including management, finances, and structure. College presidents and school superintendents often hold doctorates of education.
Courses in Online Educational Leadership Programs
University of Wyoming – Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
The doctor of education program from the University of Wyoming focuses on applied research, which essentially means it’s more focused on career skills as opposed to broad-level research. There is a superintendency internship and a dissertation requirement that help you develop and understand the best practices and scholarship in an organization.
The classes focus on education management, leadership, and administration. Courses include “Advanced Organizational Leader,” “Educational Leader as Resource Manager,” and “Educational Leader for the Board and Community.” Students must also complete an internship and dissertation.
Indiana State University – Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration / Higher Education Leadership
This PhD program is available in two concentrations, including higher education leadership. (The school also offers school administration.) This PhD program encompasses a basic core of 18 credit hours, as well as an advanced core of 21 credits. There is also an internship that counts for six credits, completed over two semesters.
The basic core of classes looks at higher education systems and educational law. Classes include “Higher Education in the United States,” “Organization and Governance in Higher Education,” and “Research Seminar in Educational Law.” The advanced section goes even deeper into the subject with courses like “Academic Leadership in Higher Education,” and “Advanced Leadership Theory, Governance, and External Relations.”
Concordia University - Chicago – Doctor of Education in Leadership / Sports Leadership
If you are looking to expand your knowledge while becoming a leader in sports and athletic departments, this degree may be perfect. According to Concordia University, students in this program are actively working for major sports organizations including the NBA, NFL, and Major League Baseball. The program includes leadership courses, sports specializations, the ethics and philosophy of education, research and statistics, and a dissertation.
Most classes are fairly typical for an EdD program. They include “Leadership Theories & Practice” and “Leading the Knowledge Enterprise.” The sport-specific area is where this degree stands out. Classes in the sports specialization include “Advanced Topics Sports Administration,” “Sports Analytics,” and “Essentials of Law in Sports.”
Accreditation for these Doctorate Programs
A doctorate program, even a shorter EdD, is the most rigorous, time-consuming, and challenging degree you’ll ever complete. These programs require a strong commitment of time, energy, and money, so you need to ensure your chosen program will deliver a high-quality education.
You can start by researching accreditation. Accreditation is a type of quality control for the educational system. It is completed by independent bodies that review and approve (or disapprove in some cases) schools and degree programs.
Entire colleges and universities can have what’s known as institutional accreditation. This type of accreditation covers the whole school. It’s granted by regional groups including the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Important note: All degrees listed on our website come from institutionally-accredited schools.
Individual programs receive accreditation from subject-specific groups. For example, a journalism degree can be accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC).
CAEP
In education, the largest accrediting body is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This group accredits numerous education degrees, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs.
CAEP-accredited doctoral programs in this database include:
- University of Kentucky – Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
- Sam Houston State University – Doctor of Education in Developmental Education Administration
- Old Dominion University – Doctor of Philosophy in Education / Educational Leadership
- William Carey University – Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
This is just a small sample. Over two dozen doctorate in educational leadership online programs currently have approval from the CAEP.
AAQEP
The other accrediting group is the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). This is a newer group that currently accredits fewer programs than the CAEP. However, more schools will likely shift to this group, and some will apply for accreditation from both organizations. Only the doctorate programs from National University and George Fox University are currently accredited by this group.
Some programs do not have programmatic accreditation. As long as the degree comes from an accredited school though, it will deliver a high-quality education.
Admission Requirements for EdD and PhD in Education Programs
We won’t sugarcoat it; getting into a doctorate program, regardless of the subject, is difficult. It requires an elite-level academic background, professional experience, and numerous documents, as well as support from mentors, leaders, and former teachers.
The basic requirement is a master’s degree. For these online doctoral programs in educational leadership, you will specifically need a master’s degree in education, school leadership, educational technology, curriculum development, or a similar field.
Simply holding a master’s degree may not be enough. For acceptance into these programs, you often also need a high GPA from previous studies. A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher is common, although some doctorate programs accept students with a 2.5 or 2.75 from graduate studies.
You’ll also need professional teaching experience (generally at least two years or more), letters of recommendation from previous teachers and school leaders, and a well-written statement of purpose.
It helps to look at some examples. For instance, the Doctor of Education in Leadership / Sports Leadership from Concordia University - Chicago requires a resume, scholarly writing samples, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation that speak to your “academic proficiency, personal character, competence, and effectiveness in professional work.”
The Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Northwest Nazarene has many of the same requirements. However, this school also requires a completed EdS degree with a minimum 3.5 GPA.
The Expected Cost for Your Online Doctorate
Some of these programs come with a high cost. Whether you need the cheapest online doctorate in educational leadership or can pay for the most expensive degree, you should research tuition and other fees before enrolling. Fortunately, we’ve created an extensive list so that you can easily find the right online doctorate in educational leadership for your needs and budget.
The average cost for these degrees is $43,900. This may seem like a staggering number, but many doctorates are completed over three to seven years (three for an EdS, around seven for a PhD) so the cost is spread over a longer time frame.
For example, the Doctor of Education / School Leadership from Saint Leo University costs about $43,065. According to the school, students usually complete the program in three years, which means the annual cost is somewhere near $14,355.
You can find many low-cost options though. The cheapest online doctorate in educational leadership comes from Valdosta State University in Georgia. Its online Doctor of Education in Leadership has an estimated cost of $16,765, and this price is available equally to all students, not just Georgia residents.
The most expensive option is the Doctorate of Education from the University of Southern California, which charges over $92,000 for the degree. This program is available in educational leadership and organizational change and leadership options.
The programs can be expensive, but with research and planning you can make an online doctorate in educational leadership more affordable.
Licensing and Certification Requirements for Graduates
Graduates of these programs are not always concerned with state-mandated licensing or certification. Many of the careers graduates pursue do not require certification. In addition, most already have teacher certification, which may also be a requirement for enrollment.
After graduating from one of the cheapest online doctorate in educational leadership programs, you may then qualify for advancement in licensing for certain careers.
The only common licensing requirement for graduates of these programs is the certification for school administrators. Some of these online doctorate in educational leadership programs are intended for aspiring superintendents or principals. In this case, a state-sponsored school administration certificate is necessary. After graduating with the appropriate degree, then future superintendents must pass state exams and apply for certification.
Other careers will not require licensing. College presidents, program directors, and education professors generally do not need a license or certificate.
Potential Salary and Career Outlook with an Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership
People with doctorate degrees can expect large salaries. According to the BLS, the median weekly earnings for people with doctoral degrees is $2,083. If we assume 52 weeks of pay a year, then the annual salary would be over $108,000.
This number applies to all professionals with doctorates, not just those with the cheapest online doctorate in educational leadership. However, many leadership roles in education have high incomes. School principals have a median annual salary of $101,320, with the top 10% earning over $158,000.
College administrators have a median salary of $99,940, while the top 10% earn over $196,000. (There’s no guarantee, but with a doctorate, there’s a better chance you’ll be at or near the top pay for any of these occupations.)
These professions won’t see massive job growth, but there will always be a need for education; hence, there will always be a need for education leaders. The BLS expects the role of school principal to have little or no change, while postsecondary administrators will grow by 4%.
The Next Step in Your Education
A doctorate in education represents the pinnacle of academic achievement. However, it is possible to continue your education, possibly through certifications or smaller degrees that may compliment your doctorate.
For example, you might add an EdS in educational technology or a post-graduate certificate in higher education. Numerous options will complement and enhance your current knowledge of education.
Depending on your career choice, continuing education may be a requirement. Certified superintendents, for example, need to complete continuing education credits to renew their credentials.
Even when not required, continuing education is essential. It helps you stay at the forefront of education and allows you to deliver the best advice and leadership for your school.
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Ready to advance your education career? Then visit GetEducated.com to learn more about the top degrees in education, including the cheapest online doctorate in educational leadership programs.