STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This loose collection of academic subjects is a critical part of education, but it appears that the United States may be falling behind in these topics. By earning one of the cheapest master’s in STEM education online, you can be a part of the solution.
A 2018 White House report found that only 20% of high school graduates were ready for STEM majors in college. Additionally, over the previous 15 years, the U.S. only produced 10% of the world’s science and engineering graduates. The country needs high-quality STEM teachers who can convey the concepts, theories, and proven ideas of STEM to their students.
If you have a background in science, technology, engineering, or math, or if you have experience teaching and would like to specialize in STEM, a master’s in STEM education online may be perfect for you.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$17,400
Least Expensive In-state: North Carolina A&T State University ~$6,990
Least Expensive Out-of-state: Southeastern Oklahoma State University ~$8,160
Most Expensive: University of Southern California ~$59,971
We have created the most reliable ranking for these online degrees. By focusing on tuition and fees while using simple formulas, we have calculated the total price so that you can make an accurate, informed decision. All the programs listed above the dividing line are “Best Buys”. They cost less than the average price. If you need the cheapest master’s in STEM education online, it’s best to start with these programs.
The Cheapest Master’s in STEM Education Online
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | North Carolina A & T State University | (NC) | $6,990.00 $25,800.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | (OK) | $8,160.00 | All Students |
3 | The University of Texas at Arlington | (TX) | $8,200.00 | All Students |
4 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | (NC) | $8,539.00 $30,304.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 |  Campbellsville University | (KY) | $9,750.00 | All Students |
6 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $9,852.00 | All Students |
7 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | (NC) | $10,164.00 $36,282.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | Northwest Missouri State University | (MO) | $10,500.00 | All Students |
9 | Morningside College | (IA) | $10,540.00 | All Students |
10 | Western Carolina University | (NC) | $10,608.00 $31,422.00 $10,608.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
11 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $10,748.00 | All Students |
12 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | (NC) | $11,055.00 $20,623.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
13 | Louisiana State University-Shreveport | (LA) | $11,220.00 | All Students |
14 | Emporia State University | (KS) | $11,296.00 $15,388.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 | Indiana University Online | (IN) | $11,700.00 $15,600.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 | Adams State University | (CO) | $11,994.00 | All Students |
17 | Indiana University Online | (IN) | $12,025.00 $16,646.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
18 | University of North Georgia | (GA) | $12,117.00 | All Students |
19 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | (NE) | $12,378.00 $21,948.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
20 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | (NE) | $12,660.00 $15,840.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
21 | Northeastern State University | (OK) | $12,722.00 $12,758.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
22 | Western New England University | (MA) | $12,750.00 | All Students |
23 | Southeast Missouri State University | (MO) | $12,755.00 | All Students |
24 | Bellarmine University | (KY) | $13,180.00 | All Students |
25 | University of Central Missouri | (MO) | $13,190.00 | All Students |
26 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | (NE) | $13,237.00 $17,881.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
27 | Florida State University | (FL) | $13,328.00 $32,270.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
28 | Minot State University | (ND) | $13,365.00 | All Students |
29 |  Purdue University | (IN) | $13,500.00 $20,100.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
30 | Maranatha Baptist University | (WI) | $13,735.00 | All Students |
31 | University of North Georgia | (GA) | $14,160.00 | All Students |
32 | University of Colorado Denver | (CO) | $14,227.00 $16,807.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
33 | Ball State University | (IN) | $14,330.00 $20,870.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
34 |  William Carey University | (MS) | $14,850.00 | All Students |
35 | The University of Texas at El Paso | (TX) | $14,940.00 $17,490.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
36 | William Woods University | (MO) | $14,950.00 | All Students |
37 | The College of Saint Scholastica | (MN) | $14,972.00 | All Students |
38 | Radford University | (VA) | $14,976.00 $28,836.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
39 | The University of Texas at Tyler | (TX) | $15,085.00 $29,545.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
40 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $15,315.00 $14,009.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
41 | Georgia State University | (GA) | $15,328.00 | All Students |
42 | University of Wisconsin-Stout | (WI) | $15,390.00 | All Students |
43 |  Western Governors University | (UT) | $15,460.00 | All Students |
44 | Hood College | (MD) | $15,540.00 | All Students |
45 | Columbus State University | (GA) | $15,599.00 | All Students |
46 | Western Governors University | (UT) | $15,810.00 | All Students |
47 | Kansas State University | (KS) | $15,829.00 | All Students |
48 | Texas Tech University | (TX) | $15,830.00 $30,518.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
49 | Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $15,840.00 | All Students |
50 | Oklahoma State University | (OK) | $15,925.00 $20,612.00 $15,925.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
51 | Valley City State University | (ND) | $15,968.00 | All Students |
52 | Clemson University | (SC) | $15,982.00 | All Students |
53 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | (NC) | $15,992.00 $48,002.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
54 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | (IL) | $16,000.00 | All Students |
55 | Marshall University | (WV) | $16,020.00 | All Students |
56 |  Liberty University | (VA) | $16,036.00 $10,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
57 | New England College | (NH) | $16,320.00 | All Students |
58 | Stevenson University | (MD) | $16,335.00 | All Students |
59 | Black Hills State University | (SD) | $16,466.00 | All Students |
60 | Western Illinois University | (IL) | $17,154.00 $23,903.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
61 | Missouri Baptist University | (MO) | $17,190.00 | All Students |
62 | Illinois State University | (IL) | $17,348.00 $32,088.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Northern Colorado | (CO) | $17,490.00 | All Students | |
Mississippi State University | (MS) | $17,787.00 | All Students | |
The University of Findlay | (OH) | $17,985.00 | All Students | |
James Madison University | (VA) | $17,986.00 $42,534.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | (WI) | $18,000.00 | All Students | |
 Shawnee State University | (OH) | $18,000.00 $19,260.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Asbury University | (KY) | $18,050.00 | All Students | |
Old Dominion University | (VA) | $18,074.00 $18,794.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Northern Arizona University | (AZ) | $18,075.00 | All Students | |
University at Buffalo | (NY) | $18,254.00 $21,356.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Carlow University | (PA) | $18,540.00 | All Students | |
Southwest Minnesota State University | (MN) | $18,731.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania Western University | (PA) | $18,768.00 $21,573.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Colorado State University | (CO) | $18,938.00 | All Students | |
Western Governors University | (UT) | $19,325.00 | All Students | |
Hamline University | (MN) | $19,395.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $19,550.00 | All Students | |
Western Governors University | (UT) | $20,450.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $21,245.00 | All Students | |
University of San Diego | (CA) | $21,300.00 | All Students | |
Fresno Pacific University | (CA) | $21,390.00 | All Students | |
Lesley University | (MA) | $21,450.00 | All Students | |
Webster University | (MO) | $21,550.00 $12,640.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of Cincinnati | (OH) | $22,380.00 $22,830.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Georgia | (GA) | $23,232.00 | All Students | |
Franklin Pierce University | (NH) | $23,940.00 | All Students | |
George Mason University | (VA) | $24,210.00 | All Students | |
Indiana University of Pennsylvania | (PA) | $25,170.00 $36,348.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Iowa | (IA) | $26,760.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $30,210.00 | All Students | |
Texas A & M University | (TX) | $32,104.00 $70,232.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
New Jersey Institute of Technology | (NJ) | $33,360.00 | All Students | |
Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $33,900.00 | All Students | |
Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $40,680.00 | All Students | |
Drexel University | (PA) | $47,115.00 $44,010.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of Southern California | (CA) | $59,971.00 | All Students |
Program Note: To qualify for a ranking, the master’s in STEM education online 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 Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation
Rankings Note: These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter/Spring 2023 review of regionally accredited, online master’s in STEM education. 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 master’s degree in STEM education online in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules. The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire master’s in STEM education online degree 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 a master’s in STEM education online 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 master’s in STEM education online 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 master’s in STEM education online for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Why Should I Get One of the Cheapest Master’s in STEM Education Online?
There are many reasons why you should consider one of these excellent, cheapest master’s in STEM education online:
- Above-average demand: There will be a high demand for math and science careers. While growth for teaching careers will be slow, STEM teachers will likely see better numbers due to increased demand for STEM skills.
- Strong pay for many teachers: Elementary and high school teachers (all subjects, not just STEM) enjoy strong salaries. The median pay for both professions is around $62,000, while the top 10% in both categories earn over $101,000.
- Build on your current degree: Whether you have a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or a teaching discipline, these degrees will build on your current expertise and leverage your past education.
Program Cost for an Online Master’s in STEM Teaching
An online master’s degree in STEM teaching can be extremely affordable or surprisingly expensive. It’s up to you to do the research, know all the costs, and find the cheapest master’s in STEM education online that fits your needs. Fortunately, we can help by providing accurate information on the typical costs for these programs. Accordingly, you can select an affordable master’s in STEM education online that meets your career goals.
The average price for these degrees is $17,400. As we discussed above, a typical program takes two years and four semesters to complete. This means the average per-year price is $8,700. The average semester tuition would be $4,350.
Of course, this is merely the average, which means there are numerous programs priced below this cost. The cheapest master’s in STEM education online is the Master of Arts in Teaching / Biology Education from North Carolina A&T State University. This program only costs $6,990 for area students. However, out-of-state students pay $25,800, which is about $7,000 more than the average.
For all students regardless of residency, the cheapest master’s in STEM education online is the Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. This program, which offers both math and science concentrations, has a price tag of $8,160 for students in any state.
The least affordable master’s in STEM education online comes from the University of Southern California. This private school charges $59,971 for its Master of Arts in Teaching, which is available in secondary mathematics or secondary science.
Who Offers the Cheapest Master’s in STEM Education Online?
#1. North Carolina A&T State University – Master of Arts in Teaching with concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, or Mathematics Education
North Carolina A&T State University offers a wide range of MAT programs. Among the 12 discipline areas are three STEM fields: Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics. North Carolina students can complete any of these tracks for just $6,990, making this the cheapest online STEM teaching master’s degree on our list. It’s worth noting, however, that out-of-state tuition for the same programs runs about $25,800.
All Master of Arts in Teaching programs at NC A&T State University are accredited by the CAEP. Regardless of the track chosen, students will complete 30 credit hours of coursework, pass the Praxis II Exam in their respective field of study, and participate in two semesters of clinical practice.
#2. Southeastern Oklahoma State University – Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction with concentrations in Science or Math
With a price tag of just $8,160 for students regardless of state residency, the online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction programs from Southeastern Oklahoma State University are a great choice. The school offers CAEP-accreditation and nine concentrations including Science and Math. What’s more, these accelerated online programs can be completed in as little as 12 months.
Throughout the curriculum, students will explore current instructional challenges and propose innovative solutions. Classes also prepare students to develop engaging curriculum and effectively evaluate student progress. Upon graduation, some of the possible career paths include instructional coordinator, curriculum director, career technical supervisor, and instructional systems specialist.
#3. The University of Texas at Arlington – Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Mathematics or Science
You can gain advanced skills in teaching, research, and leadership with an online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Texas at Arlington. The university provides concentrations in STEM subjects including Mathematics and Science, which students nationwide can complete for as little as $8,200.
AAQEP accreditation ensures that the advanced math and science coursework is challenging and relevant to today’s classroom expectations. Participants will learn how to analyze and improve upon their own teaching, helping them advance to a higher level of expertise. Classes cover topics including curriculum design, instructional strategies, education research methods, and diversity in education.
What to Expect from a Master’s in STEM Education Online
A master’s degree is one of the most challenging levels of education. It will challenge you in the classroom and force you to see STEM teaching from a new perspective.
These programs, like all master’s programs, typically require two years of study. There are options for completing a degree in only one year, and you can stretch the degree over three or four years with part-time study, but most will complete the program in two school years.
For these STEM teaching degrees, you can choose between a master of arts, master of science, or master of education. The results will largely be the same (you’ll become a STEM teacher), but there are differences. A master of arts will focus on theory and philosophy of teaching, while a master of science typically focuses on proven practices and education research. A master of education, on the other hand, centers on the administration, organization, and management of academic systems.
These degrees teach you to teach STEM. They are not science, technology, engineering, or math programs. They are teaching programs. The only difference is that they are teaching programs with an emphasis on STEM. You will learn more about the specific STEM subjects, but largely you’ll be learning about the education field and classroom teaching. You’ll learn how to best convey science or math topics, how to create interest in engineering, and how to build a student’s knowledge of technology. Of course, you need to understand STEM to teach it, but mostly you’ll be learning how to teach.
Numerous Concentrations and Specializations
While you can study STEM teaching in general, covering all the various science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects, it’s possible to focus on a specific field or topic.
Potential concentrations for these master’s in STEM education online programs include:
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Science
- Secondary science
- Secondary math
- First through eighth-grade science
- Algebra
- Physics
- Computer science
Let’s look at a few of the courses in some of the top master’s degree in STEM education online programs.
Louisiana State University-Shreveport – Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction / STEM
This master of education consists of 10 courses for 30 total credit hours. More specifically, it is divided into foundation courses, which consist of teaching and classroom management, and specialized courses for teaching STEM.
The foundation classes apply broadly to teaching and education careers. They include “Educational Technology Applied to the Classroom,” “Utilizing Data for School Improvement,” and “Introduction to Graduate Research.” The specialization classes include “Foundation in STEM Education,” “STEM Content Methods,” and “Grant Writing for STEM Programs.”
University of Nebraska at Omaha – Master of Science in Computer Science Education
Tomorrow’s professionals will need advanced computer skills. This degree will help you deliver those skills to students. The University of Nebraska at Omaha has divided this master of science program into four sections: core courses, extension coursework, a capstone or thesis, and electives.
The core section requires five classes that include “Object Oriented Programming for Teachers” and “Human Computer Interaction.” The extension section requires two classes in computer science, data, and engineering. In the capstone or thesis section, students can select a project, while the electives can include computer science, mathematics computing, engineering education, and other STEM-related subjects.
Marshall University – Master of Arts in Education / Mathematics through Algebra I
If you plan on becoming a math teacher, especially one with an expertise in algebra, this is an ideal program. It consists of a nine-hour core section and an area of emphasis in algebra teaching that consists of 21 credit hours.
The core courses are broad education classes like “Trends & Issues in Education,” and “Applications Software in the Classroom.” The emphasis classes are where you learn to teach algebra. They include “Technical Mathematics for Mathematics Educators,” “Algebra for Mathematics Educators,” and “Teaching Mathematics.”
Accreditation for a Master’s in STEM Education Online
Accreditation acts as a quality-control system for schools and degree programs. Essentially, it’s a review process that allows schools to show they are achieving high levels of academic performance.
There are two main types of accreditation. The first is institutional, which covers an entire college or university. This type is completed by regional groups that accredit schools throughout their coverage area. For example, schools in the southeastern portion of the United States are eligible for accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
There is also programmatic accreditation, which covers only a specific degree. This type is granted by topic-specific groups. For instance, an aviation program can apply for approval from the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). The AABI would then review the school’s aviation degree and, if it meets industry standards, grant the accreditation.
For these degrees, there are two accrediting institutions:
CAEP
The oldest and largest accrediting body in education is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This group accredits dozens of degrees in this database, ensuring these degrees meet a high standard for teacher preparation.
CAEP-accredited degrees in our database include:
- University of San Diego – Master of Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics
- The University of Findlay – Master of Arts in Education / Science Education
- Black Hills State University – Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction / K-12 Mathematics Education
- Western Governors University – Master of Arts in Science Education (five concentrations)
- Southeastern Oklahoma State University – Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction / Science
AAQEP
Founded in 2017, the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) serves a similar role, but emphasizes innovation and technology in the education space.
AAQEP-accredited programs include:
- The University of Texas at Arlington – Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction (two concentrations)
- The College of Saint Scholastica – Master of Education (two concentrations)
The Master of Arts in Teaching from Western Governors University, which is available with three concentrations, has received accreditation from both the CAEP and the AAQEP.
Many degrees do not have programmatic accreditation. As long as it comes from an accredited school, it can be trusted to deliver a high-quality education.
Typical Online Admission Requirements
A master’s will challenge you in many ways. To ensure students are ready for these programs, schools have high admission standards and require more documents than a bachelor’s degree.
Requirements vary, but you’ll typically need to supply full transcripts, a resume, and a statement of purpose that describes your intentions and motivations. You’ll also need letters of recommendation, which must come from previous instructors or supervisors.
Some of these programs require a teacher’s license. In most cases, a master of education program will require a teaching license, while a master of arts or master of science may not.
Master’s programs typically take only the best students, so a GPA requirement is common. The cheapest master’s in stem education online programs generally require a 2.5 or 3.0 for enrolling students.
To better understand the admission requirements for a master’s in STEM education online degree, let’s look at a couple of examples.
The Master of Education in Mathematics from William Carey University has typical standards. (Of course, each program is different.) For admission into this program, you need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, official transcripts from all previous colleges, and two letters of recommendation from current or past supervisors. You must also hold a Class A teacher’s license to enroll. In addition, you must have a 2.5 GPA over the previous 64 hours of undergrad classes.
Radford University, which offers the Master of Science in Education / Mathematics Education has similar requirements. The school requires a resume, a written statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation. Unlike the previous school, this program does not require a teacher’s license. There is also no official GPA requirement. A 3.0 GPA is recommended, however the school will look at other materials you submit if you fail to meet this threshold.Licensing and Certification for STEM Teachers
STEM teachers have many of the same licensing and certification requirements as other teachers. However, there may be a STEM-specific portion to your state’s certification.
To become a teacher in a public school, you need to complete a teaching program. Depending on your background, you may or may not have completed this portion already. If you do not have a teaching certificate, there are master’s programs precisely to help fill this requirement.
Once you have completed a teaching program, you will need to pass your state’s required tests. Usually this includes basic skills like reading, math, writing, and other basic school subjects. You may also have testing in class-related topics, such as classroom management and curriculum.
Many states also have subject-specific testing. For example, if you want to become an engineering teacher, you may need to complete a test that proves your knowledge in this area. Once this is complete, you can apply for state licensing and become an official STEM teacher.
Salary and Career Outlook for STEM Teachers
STEM teachers can expect some of the strongest salaries in education. Unfortunately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lumps all high school and elementary teachers into single groups, with no separation between subject matter. (For example, they do not show the salary difference between a high school art teacher and a high school math teacher.) But the information does show strong salaries for educators overall.
Here are the median salaries for three related education careers :
- Elementary teacher: $61,690 (Top 10%: Over $101,310)
- High school teacher: $62,360 (Top 10%: Over $101,710)
- Career and tech educator: $61,450 (Top 10%: Over $100,120)
While salaries are strong, the growth for teachers (all teachers, not just STEM) will be slow. The BLS expects high school and elementary teaching careers to grow by only 1%. This is slower than the total job market, which will grow by 3%. However, the growing need for STEM skills could mean that STEM teachers will see better growth.
The Next Step in Your Education
If you want to continue your formal education after a master’s in STEM education online degree, you might consider a doctorate. This is the highest level of academic achievement, and it requires years of study and research. You can choose a doctorate of education (Ed.D.) or a doctorate of philosophy (Ph.D.) in STEM or another education-related field.
Teachers, no matter their education level, will need continuing education credits to meet certification requirements. Certificate renewal occurs about once every three to seven years depending on the state (most are around five), so you’ll need continuing education classes to maintain your career, especially if you are teaching at a public school.
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