Why This Matters
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EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP JOBS OFTEN REQUIRE MORE THAN A MASTER’S
44% of K-12 administrator jobs require at least a post-master’s certificate, and 37% of postsecondary administrator jobs require a doctorate.
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POSTSECONDARY ADMINISTRATION JOBS EXPECTED TO GROW 4%
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be 7,700 more jobs for postsecondary education administrators in 2032 than there were in 2022.
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EARN OVER $90,000 PER YEAR
The average annual salary for both K-12 principals and college administrators is over $90,000.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online doctorate in educational leadership 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 leadership 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.
Why Trust Us
The Intelligent.com Higher Education Team is dedicated to providing students with independent, equitable school and program rankings and well-researched resources. Our expert-driven articles cover topics related to online colleges and programs, paying for school, and career outlooks. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics, and other reputable educational and professional organizations. Our academic advisory team reviews content and verifies accuracy throughout the year for the most current information. Partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial decisions.
- Analyzed over 2,000 national, accredited, and nonprofit colleges and universities
- 800+ rankings pages are reviewed and updated yearly
- Content is informed by reputable sources, surveys, and interviews with academic advisors and other experts
- Over 100 data points are reviewed for accuracy and quality throughout the year, including sources
How we rank schools
Our list features the best online Educational Leadership 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 institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 69 hours to write this article
- 100 universities and colleges we assessed
- 146 education programs we compared
Best 49 Online Doctorate in Educational Leadership Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
Liberty University
Intelligent Score: 99.54In-state: $14,791
Out-of-state: $14,791
In-state: $7,935
Out-of-state: $7,935
SAT: 1040-1250
ACT: 21-29
$595
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
54
Ball State University
Intelligent Score: 99.37In-state: $9,482
Out-of-state: $26,470
In-state: $9,328
Out-of-state: $9,328
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
Resident: $573
Non-Resident: $791
Online
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
90
University of Arkansas
Intelligent Score: 98.95In-state: $7,568
Out-of-state: $24,056
In-state: $7,752
Out-of-state: $7,752
SAT: 1090-1280
ACT: 23-29
Resident: $437
Non-Resident: $1,190
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
42
East Carolina University
Intelligent Score: 96.66In-state: $4,452
Out-of-state: $20,729
In-state: $4,749
Out-of-state: $4,749
SAT: 1020-1170
ACT: 19-24
In-State: $289
Out-of-State: $1,020
Online, On-Campus
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
60
Texas Tech University
Intelligent Score: 95.96In-state: $8,683
Out-of-state: $20,953
In-state: $6,788
Out-of-state: $6,788
SAT: 1070-1240
ACT: 22-27
$460
Online
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
60
Appalachian State University
Intelligent Score: 95.73In-state: $4,242
Out-of-state: $19,049
In-state: $4,839
Out-of-state: $4,839
SAT: 1070-1240
ACT: 22-27
$304
Online
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
60
Colorado State University
Intelligent Score: 95.11In-state: $9,426
Out-of-state: $28,147
In-state: $10,520
Out-of-state: $10,520
SAT: 1070-1280
ACT: 23-29
$945
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
60
Central Michigan University
Intelligent Score: 94.39In-state: $12,296
Out-of-state: $22,881
In-state: $14,223
Out-of-state: $14,223
SAT: 1000-1210
ACT: 20-26
$828
Online
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
63-66
Lamar University
Intelligent Score: 92.46In-state: $6,129
Out-of-state: $15,945
In-state: $6,397
Out-of-state: $6,397
SAT: 943-1140
ACT: 17-23
Resident: $359
Non-Resident: $779
Online
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
60
Florida State University
Intelligent Score: 91.91In-state: $4,640
Out-of-state: $19,084
In-state: $9,684
Out-of-state: $9,684
SAT: 1220-1350
ACT: 27-31
In-State: $479
Out-of-State: $1,110
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
69
East Tennessee State University
Intelligent Score: 91.47In-state: $7,340
Out-of-state: $25,487
In-state: $8,640
Out-of-state: $8,640
SAT: 940-1170
ACT: 20-27
In-State: $610
Out-of-State: $765
Online
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
66-78
Carson-Newman University
Intelligent Score: 90.52In-state: $28,200
Out-of-state: $28,200
In-state: $9,387
Out-of-state: $9,387
SAT: 950-1130
ACT: 19-25
$570
Online
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
57
University of the Cumberlands
Intelligent Score: 90.22In-state: $9,875
Out-of-state: $9,875
In-state: $4,282
Out-of-state: $4,282
SAT: 930-1140
ACT: 19-24
$415
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60
Northwest Nazarene University
Intelligent Score: 90In-state: $32,130
Out-of-state: $32,130
In-state: $10,836
Out-of-state: $10,836
SAT: 980-1190
ACT: 19-25
$625
Online
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
36
Clarkson College
Intelligent Score: 88.35In-state: $14,119
Out-of-state: $14,119
In-state: $17,121
Out-of-state: $17,121
SAT: 1190 and 1370
ACT: 25-30
$914
Online
Higher Learning Commission
52
University of Kentucky
Intelligent Score: 87.67In-state: $11,135
Out-of-state: $29,945
In-state: $12,189
Out-of-state: $12,189
SAT: 1070-1280
ACT: 22-29
$953
Online
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
42
Drexel University
Intelligent Score: 86.76In-state: $53,868
Out-of-state: $53,868
In-state: $36,234
Out-of-state: $36,234
SAT: 1180-1380
ACT: 25-31
$1,396
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
60-61.5
Abilene Christian University
Intelligent Score: 83.95In-state: $37,750
Out-of-state: $37,750
In-state: $23,238
Out-of-state: $23,238
SAT: 1010-1220
ACT: 21-27
$767
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60
What You Should Know About This Degree
You can pursue educational leadership studies in a PhD or EdD program. PhD programs have a greater focus on research, while EdD programs are aimed at practitioners who intend to become educational leaders. You may also see educational administration programs, which are focused on preparing future principals.
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.
School principals are licensed in the state where they work. Other career paths that may require certification include instructional coordinator and school superintendent. People choosing to enter the corporate world in jobs such as chief learning officer are unlikely to need certification.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online doctorate in educational leadership programs:
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Online doctorate in educational leadership programs are generally completed over three years of full-time study. Coursework is completed in the first two years and students focus on their dissertation in the third. There are also accelerated programs and part-time study options available.
- What licensing or certifications are required? If you plan to become a school principal, you will need a license in the relevant state. All states have different requirements for school principals, but for most you’ll need a master’s degree at minimum, plus teaching experience and certification.
As you research, make sure you keep track of application deadlines and the information you need to submit when you apply. This information is available from school websites or the admissions department.
You should also consider how to pay for your education by researching scholarships, grants, and subsidized loans. Also, check if your employer offers tuition assistance.
Compare School Options
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