Why This Matters
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MANY EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR JOBS REQUIRE MORE THAN A MASTER’S DEGREE
37% of postsecondary administrator jobs require a doctorate, while 44% of K-12 administrator jobs require at least a post-master’s certificate.
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7,700 MORE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION ADMINISTRATORS ARE NEEDED BY 2032
Over the next decade, the number of jobs for postsecondary education administrators is expected to grow slightly faster than the projected rate for all occupations combined.
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AVERAGE SALARY EXPECTATIONS ARE OVER $90,000
The average salary for K-12 principals is $101,320, while the average salary for college administrators is $99,940.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online doctorate in educational administration degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online doctorate in educational administration degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
- 52 hours to write this article
- 200 universities and colleges we assessed
- 378 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Doctorate in Educational Administration Programs
intelligent score 99.97
Award
Rankings
#2 Online PhD Programs
#12 The Best Schools
School Information
Terre Haute, IN
Graduation Rate: 44%
Admission Rate: 92%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
72
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$569
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
812-237-3005
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
72
intelligent score 99.86
Award
Rankings
#1 Online PhD Programs
#14 The Best Schools
School Information
Lynchburg, VA
Graduation Rate: 34%
Admission Rate: 50%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
54
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$595
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-424-9595
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
54
intelligent score 99.7
Award
Rankings
#1 The Best Schools
School Information
Berrien Springs, MI
Graduation Rate: 55%
Admission Rate: 49%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,471
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
855-428-4723
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 97.51
Award
Rankings
#2 The Best Schools
School Information
Jonesboro, AR
Graduation Rate: 51%
Admission Rate: 67%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$440
accreditation
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
866-621-8096
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 96.51
Award
Rankings
#3 The Best Schools
School Information
Jackson, MS
Graduation Rate: 45%
Admission Rate: 50%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$595
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
601-968-8881
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 95.59
Award
Rankings
#4 The Best Schools
School Information
Seattle, WA
Graduation Rate: 38%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
90
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$785
accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
888-422-4898
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
90
intelligent score 92.95
Award
Rankings
#5 The Best Schools
School Information
Atlanta, GA
Graduation Rate: 43%
Admission Rate: 59%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$640
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
404-880-8000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 92.83
Award
Rankings
#8 The Best Schools
#13 Online PhD Programs
School Information
Johnson City, TN
Graduation Rate: 51%
Admission Rate: 78%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-72
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$765
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
423-439-1000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-72
intelligent score 92.24
Award
Rankings
#6 The Best Schools
School Information
Irvine, CA
Graduation Rate: 66%
Admission Rate: 78%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
46
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,015
accreditation
WASC Senior College and University Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
949-854-8002
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
46
intelligent score 92.17
Award
Rankings
#7 The Best Schools
School Information
Philadelphia, PA
Graduation Rate: 68%
Admission Rate: 77%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60.5-61.5
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,396
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
215-895-2400
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60.5-61.5
intelligent score 91.76
Award
Rankings
School Information
Madison, WI
Graduation Rate: 64%
Admission Rate: 91%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
54
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,092
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-444-4861
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
54
intelligent score 91.46
Award
Rankings
School Information
Lubbock, TX
Graduation Rate: 62%
Admission Rate: 70%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
96
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$460
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
806-742-2377
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
96
intelligent score 91.21
Award
Rankings
School Information
Beverly, MA
Graduation Rate: 75%
Admission Rate: 70%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,036
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
978-232-2199
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 90.88
Award
Rankings
School Information
Muncie, IN
Graduation Rate: 61%
Admission Rate: 87%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
90
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $438
Non-Resident: $656
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
765-289-1241
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
90
intelligent score 90.48
Award
Rankings
School Information
Hampton, VA
Graduation Rate: 50%
Admission Rate: 36%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$695
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
757-788-8968
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 89.25
Award
Rankings
School Information
Huntsville, TX
Graduation Rate: 60%
Admission Rate: 93%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$842
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
936-294-1971
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 88.98
Award
Rankings
School Information
Greenville, NC
Graduation Rate: 67%
Admission Rate: 88%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $289
Non-Resident: $1,020
accreditation
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
252-328-4260
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 88.57
Award
Rankings
School Information
Beaumont, TX
Graduation Rate: 37%
Admission Rate: 83%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $359
Non-Resident: $779
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
409-880-7011
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 87.48
Award
Rankings
School Information
Philadelphia, PA
Graduation Rate: 97%
Admission Rate: 9%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
72
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,320
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
215-898-6415
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
72
intelligent score 87.28
Award
Rankings
School Information
Jefferson City, TN
Graduation Rate: 50%
Admission Rate: 79%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
57
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$570
accreditation
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
865-471-3223
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
57
intelligent score 86.93
Award
Rankings
School Information
Gainesville, FL
Graduation Rate: 88%
Admission Rate: 31%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $518
Non-Resident: $656
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
352-392-0726
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 86.85
Award
Rankings
School Information
Omaha, NE
Graduation Rate: 77%
Admission Rate: 92%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$817
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
402-354-7000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 86.8
Award
Rankings
School Information
Nashville, TN
Graduation Rate: 93%
Admission Rate: 12%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
54
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$2,169
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
855-338-4540
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
54
intelligent score 86.18
Award
Rankings
School Information
Morgantown, WV
Graduation Rate: 60%
Admission Rate: 84%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
87
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$555
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
304-293-4800
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
87
intelligent score 85.15
Award
Rankings
School Information
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Graduation Rate: 47%
Admission Rate: 76%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
67
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$1,505
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-541-6682
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
67
intelligent score 83.77
Award
Rankings
School Information
Las Cruces, NM
Graduation Rate: 52%
Admission Rate: 63%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
42
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$444
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
575-646-3825
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
42
intelligent score 83.61
Award
Rankings
School Information
Virginia Beach, VA
Graduation Rate: 30%
Admission Rate: 50%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$800
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-373-5504
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
intelligent score 82.23
Award
Rankings
School Information
Carrollton, GA
Graduation Rate: 47%
Admission Rate: 78%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$241
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
678-839-5000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Discover More Options
What You Should Know About This Degree
A similar degree to a doctorate in educational administration is a doctorate in education. The main difference is that an educational administration program focuses on the systems of leadership within education and being able to support teachers, while a doctorate in education will focus more on theories of learning.
Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). If your school isn’t accredited, you may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
Most employers at the K-12 level will be looking for you to be a licensed teacher in your state in addition to your doctorate degree. You may also need to get certified as a school administrator.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online doctorate in educational administration programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? To be eligible for a doctorate in educational administration program, you’ll need a master’s degree in a relevant field. You may also need a certain number of years of work experience and an active teaching license.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? The programs on our list range from 51 to 67 credits. For most people, this will take around two years of full-time study to complete. If a dissertation is required, this could increase the length of the program.
- What financial aid opportunities are available? With the help of grants, fellowships, and other resources, you may even be able to earn your doctorate for free.
Another thing to keep in mind as you start the application process is that programs usually have very specific deadlines. You’ll have to provide documentation of your master’s degree, teaching license, and possibly some test scores, and that can take time to get together. If you want to do an assistantship or require loans to fund your doctorate program, you’ll also need to keep track of the deadlines for that.
Compare School Options
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