For most readers, Western Governors University is the best online M.Ed. in educational services, because its flat $5,450 per 6-month term covers as many courses as you can complete in that term, so faster progress lowers the total cost. The lowest listed per-credit tuition here is Liberty University at $450 per credit hour for full-time students, followed by the University of Florida at $517.88 per credit hour for Florida residents. The highest listed per-unit tuition here is the University of Southern California at $2,376 per unit, with 28 units in the Master of Arts in Teaching, which gives $66,528 in tuition before fees.
An online M.Ed. is a Master of Education degree that you can complete through online study, and the best choice depends on your goal, your state, and how tuition is charged. Some programs charge per credit hour, one charges a flat rate per six-month term, and one charges per unit, so a low per-credit figure can still lead to a high total when the credit count is high. Check the credit count, the residency price, and the fees before you apply.
On this page
- Comparison table
- 1. Western Governors University
- 2. University of Florida
- 3. Penn State World Campus
- 4. Liberty University
- 5. Johns Hopkins University
- 6. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 7. University of Southern California
- 8. Arizona State University
- How we chose
- Pick by budget and credit count
- FAQ
- Sources
Best online m.ed in educational services: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University | Fast finishers who want flat term tuition | $5,450 per 6-month term | No | Visit |
| 2 | University of Florida | Florida residents who want low per-credit tuition | $517.88 per credit hour | No | Visit |
| 3 | Penn State World Campus | Curriculum leaders who want a personalized plan | $1,048 per credit | No | Visit |
| 4 | Liberty University | Full-time students who want low per-credit tuition | $450 per credit hour | No | Visit |
| 5 | Johns Hopkins University | Learning design specialists | $1,195 per credit | No | Visit |
| 6 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Global education and policy students | $555 per credit hour | No | Visit |
| 7 | University of Southern California | Aspiring teachers who want a California credential path | $2,376 per unit | No | Visit |
| 8 | Arizona State University | Future leaders in education beyond the classroom | quote only | No | Visit |
The 8 best best online m.ed in educational services, in detail
Western Governors University
Best for: Fast finishers who want flat term tuition
Western Governors University charges $5,450 per six-month term for its M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design, plus a $200 e-books and resources fee per term. The program has 12 total courses, with tracks for K-12 learners and adult learners.
- No teaching license is required.
- The flat term model is the main reason this program leads the list.
- You pay the same term tuition if you complete a few courses or many courses in six months, so the total cost falls when you finish in fewer terms.
- Choose it if you can study on a regular schedule.
Pros
- Flat term tuition covers as many courses as you complete in the term
- M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design has 12 total courses
Cons
- A $200 e-books and resources fee applies per term
- the flat model suits self-paced learners more than learners who want a set weekly class time
University of Florida
Best for: Florida residents who want low per-credit tuition
The University of Florida lists total tuition and fees of $517.88 per credit hour for Florida residents in fully online College of Education graduate programs in the 2026-27 academic year. That total includes $448.73 in graduate tuition plus a $29.94 distance learning fee and other fees. Non-residents pay $995.70 per credit hour after a flat rate waiver.
- The University of Florida also lists a separate price for its online M.Ed.
- in Educational Leadership, at $733.11 in total tuition and fees per credit hour.
- Check the price for your exact program, not the general graduate price.
- Choose it if you live in Florida.
Pros
- Total tuition and fees of $517.88 per credit hour for Florida residents in 2026-27
- a separate M.Ed. in Educational Leadership price is listed at $733.11 per credit hour
Cons
- Non-resident total is $995.70 per credit hour for students admitted from summer 2026
- a distance learning fee of $29.94 per credit hour is part of the total
Penn State World Campus
Best for: Curriculum leaders who want a personalized plan
Penn State World Campus lists its M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction at $1,048 per credit for the 2026-27 academic year, and the degree requires 30 credits. All courses are 3 credits, and the program ends with a culminating inquiry project, such as a paper or a portfolio, that you plan with a faculty adviser.
- The semester price adds a useful detail.
- Students who take 11 or fewer credits pay $1,048 per credit, while students who take 12 or more credits pay $12,572 per semester in 2026-27.
- Choose it for a named curriculum focus and close work with an adviser.
- Skip it if you need a program that leads to initial teacher certification.
Pros
- 30-credit M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a personalized plan of study
- all courses are 3 credits and the program is 100 percent online
Cons
- 30 credits at $1,048 per credit gives $31,440 in tuition
- the program is not designed to lead to initial teacher certification in any state
Liberty University
Best for: Full-time students who want low per-credit tuition
Liberty University lists graduate education tuition at $450 per credit hour for full-time students and $515 per credit hour for part-time students in the 2026-27 academic year. Military graduate students pay $310 per credit hour. The M.Ed.
- in Administration and Supervision is offered completely online, with 8-week courses and no set login times, and it includes practicums and an internsh
- The $65 gap between the full-time and part-time credit price matters when you plan your course load.
- This program is for Virginia licensed teachers seeking advanced licensure.
- Choose Liberty if you can study full-time.
Pros
- $450 per credit hour for full-time graduate education students in 2026-27
- 8-week courses with no set login times
Cons
- Part-time graduate education students pay $515 per credit hour
- the Administration and Supervision program is for Virginia licensed teachers seeking advanced licensure
Johns Hopkins University
Best for: Learning design specialists
Johns Hopkins University lists graduate education courses at $1,195 per credit for summer 2026, fall 2026, and spring 2027. That group includes the M.Ed. in Learning Design and Technology.
- Online courses in this group also carry a $20 per credit technology fee, so the online cost per credit is $1,215 before other fees.
- Other fees add to the total.
- The application fee is $80, the registration fee is $175 per semester, and the graduation fee is $175.
- Choose Johns Hopkins if learning design is your exact focus.
Pros
- Graduate education courses are $1,195 per credit for summer 2026, fall 2026, and spring 2027
- the M.Ed. in Learning Design and Technology is named in that price group
Cons
- A $20 per credit technology fee applies to online courses
- a $175 registration fee applies per semester and an $80 application fee applies at entry
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Best for: Global education and policy students
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers an online Master of Education in Global Studies in Education as a 32-credit-hour program, with tuition and fees of $555 per credit hour. At that rate, the full program total is $17,760 in tuition and fees. Courses run in 8-week blocks in fall and spring and in 6-week blocks in summer.
- Weekly live video sessions, usually Monday to Thursday between 4 p.m.
- and 9 p.m.
- CT, add live contact with faculty and peers.
- That same schedule is a limit for students who work evenings.
Pros
- 32-credit online Ed.M. in Global Studies in Education at $555 in tuition and fees per credit hour
- 8-week courses in fall and spring and 6-week courses in summer
Cons
- 32 credits at $555 per credit hour gives $17,760 in total tuition and fees
- weekly live sessions run Monday to Thursday between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. CT
University of Southern California
Best for: Aspiring teachers who want a California credential path
The University of Southern California Rossier School of Education lists 2026-27 tuition for the Master of Arts in Teaching at $2,376 per unit, with a total of $2,376 times 28 units. That gives $66,528 in tuition before fees. Merit scholarships for this program may be worth up to $30,000.
- This entry is a Master of Arts in Teaching, not a Master of Education, and it is included here because it is the online Rossier teaching degree with a
- Fees add real cost on top of tuition.
- Credentialing fees for a California preliminary teaching credential can add $1,079.65 to $1,648.65.
- Choose USC if the California credential path matters to you.
Pros
- 2026-27 tuition is $2,376 per unit for the Master of Arts in Teaching
- merit scholarships may be worth up to $30,000
Cons
- 28 units at $2,376 per unit gives $66,528 in tuition
- credentialing fees can add $1,079.65 to $1,648.65 and a $720 health center fee may apply
Arizona State University
Best for: Future leaders in education beyond the classroom
Arizona State University offers an online Master of Education in Educational Leadership through ASU Online, with 10 classes, 7.5 weeks per class, and 30 total credit hours. The program includes a one-semester externship and a final applied project based on action research. The program page does not list a per-credit price, so this entry is quote only.
- ASU points readers to a tuition calculator to estimate full-time or part-time tuition and fees before any aid.
- That calculator step is a real limit, because you cannot compare ASU with the other programs in this list from the program page alone.
- Choose ASU if the leadership focus, the externship, and the applied project fit your goal, and you are willing to run the calculator for a figure.
- Skip it if you need a listed per-credit price before you shortlist a program.
Pros
- 30-credit online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with 10 classes of 7.5 weeks each
- a one-semester externship and an applied project are part of the program
Cons
- No per-credit price is listed on the program page, so the starting price is quote only
- you must use the ASU tuition calculator for a figure
How we chose
We chose programs that offer a real online Master of Education or a close online teaching master’s, with a named focus, a listed credit count or course count, and an official university page that we opened on 2026-11-12. Prices in this article come from official university tuition and program pages opened on that date, and the starting price for each program is the figure on its cited page. Arizona State University does not list a per-credit figure on its program page, so it is listed as quote only. We did not test any program hands-on. We did not use customer counts, awards, or review scores to rank the programs.
Pick by budget and credit count
| Situation | Best fit | Numbers to use |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest listed per-credit tuition | Liberty University | $450 per credit hour full-time; $515 part-time |
| Lowest resident per-credit tuition at a state university | University of Florida | $517.88 per credit hour resident; $995.70 non-resident |
| Flat term tuition for fast finishers | Western Governors University | $5,450 per 6-month term plus $200 fee; 12 courses |
| Mid-range total for a 32-credit degree | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 32 credits at $555 per credit hour; $17,760 total |
| High per-credit tuition with a named design focus | Johns Hopkins University | $1,195 per credit plus $20 per credit technology fee |
| Highest total in this list | University of Southern California | 28 units at $2,376 per unit; $66,528 tuition |
| No listed price on the program page | Arizona State University | 30 credits; quote only; use the tuition calculator |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best online M.Ed. in educational services for most readers?
Western Governors University is the best pick for most readers, because its flat $5,450 per six-month term covers as many courses as you can complete in that term. The M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design has 12 courses, and faster progress lowers the total cost. It suits self-paced learners who can study on a regular schedule.
How much does an online M.Ed. cost per credit hour?
The per-credit cost in this list runs from $450 per credit hour for full-time students at Liberty University to $1,195 per credit at Johns Hopkins University, plus a $20 per credit technology fee for online courses at Johns Hopkins. The University of Florida charges $517.88 per credit hour for residents, and Penn State World Campus charges $1,048 per credit.
Which online M.Ed. is best for Florida residents?
The University of Florida is the best pick for Florida residents, because its total tuition and fees are $517.88 per credit hour for residents in fully online College of Education graduate programs. Non-residents pay $995.70 per credit hour, so the resident price is the key advantage. Check the price for your exact program, because the leadership M.Ed. is $733.11 per credit hour.
Which online M.Ed. is best for curriculum and instruction?
Penn State World Campus is the best pick for curriculum and instruction, because its 30-credit M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction offers a personalized plan of study with an adviser. Students can focus on children’s literature, curriculum and supervision, elementary education, language and literacy, or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
Does an online M.Ed. lead to teacher certification?
It depends on the program, so check the exact program page before you apply. Penn State World Campus states that its Curriculum and Instruction program is not designed to lead to initial teacher certification in any state. Liberty University states that its Administration and Supervision program is for Virginia licensed teachers seeking advanced licensure.
Why is Arizona State University listed as quote only?
Arizona State University is listed as quote only because its program page for the online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership does not list a per-credit price. The page lists 10 classes, 7.5 weeks per class, and 30 total credit hours, and it points readers to a tuition calculator. Use that calculator for a figure before you compare ASU with the other programs.
Sources
- https://www.wgu.edu/financial-aid-tuition/tuition-teaching-education-degrees.html
- https://education.ufl.edu/coe-online/tuition-and-fees/
- https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/penn-state-online-curriculum-and-instruction-masters-degree
- https://www.liberty.edu/online/education/masters/med/administration-supervision/
- https://education.jhu.edu/admissions/tuition-fees/
- https://online.illinois.edu/online-programs/graduate-programs/global-studies-in-education/
- https://rossier.usc.edu/programs/masters/mat-teaching/mat-program-costs/
- https://asuonline.asu.edu/online-degree-programs/graduate/educational-leadership/
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.