Most Affordable Master's In Higher Education Online

Colorado State University offers an online master's degree in higher education that focuses on the importance of student affairs at colleges and universities. The program (typically three years in length) includes classes in "Financial Management in Student Affairs," "The Inclusive University," "Ethical and Practical Issues in Student Affairs," and much more. Colorado State has a reputation for providing great resources to military members and veterans, and it has landed on "Top Military Friendly" lists from G.I. Jobs for five consecutive years. And of course, it's worth mentioning that CSU offers the epitome of a cheap online master's degree in higher education, with a tuition rate less than $9,000 a year — regardless of student residency.

The University of Southern Maine distinguishes itself from other higher education programs by taking a particular interest in adult education. The curriculum offers students all the knowledge and skills they need to become administrators at adult education public schools, as well as at K-12 schools and traditional universities. The core courses in this master's degree in higher education online only consist of nine credits, but students must also complete additional classes in the "Middle Core," "Senior Course," "Electives," and even a Field-Based Practice Course. There are no specific concentrations, but students may choose electives in thematic areas and create a specialty for themselves. U.S. News also includes USM on its list of top graduate education programs, placing it at #157.

Many students choose Walden University for their distance education needs. Walden is affordable, reputable, and offers flexible degree programs to suit a variety of interests. The school's top online master's degree in higher education offers numerous specializations in College Teaching and Learning, Online and Distance Learning, Enrollment Management and Institutional Marketing, Leadership for Student Success, and Global Higher Education - proving there really is something for everyone at Walden. Graduates find work in everything from admissions to student affairs, and often acquire coveted leadership positions. BestCollegeReviews.org names Walden the #1 best online university in the nation.

The University of Mississippi, colloquially called "Ole Miss," has created an entirely online wing to its college specifically tailored to the needs of adult professionals. The affordable online master's degree in higher education costs just $443 per credit, or $1,329 for an entire 3-credit class. Online course delivery features a number of alternative teaching methods, including audio and video conferencing, streaming media content, and popular internet learning platforms. Classes include "Student Services in Higher Education," "Finance of Higher Education," "College Teaching," and "Practicum in Student Services." U.S. News ranks UM the 106th best education school in the country, but also the 35th best school for online education degrees.

Capella University is a relatively young institution of higher learning, but is quickly becoming a leader in distance education. The online master's degree in higher education comes with two specialization options: Community College Leadership and Higher Education Administration. The 48-credit hour program costs a mere $398 per credit, with classes organized into convenient 10-week segments. Students can also transfer up to 12 credits from a previous institution, significantly shortening their time to graduation. Student satisfaction ratings at Capella indicate that 93% of students are satisfied with the university, and that 86% would recommend the school to a friend. Common career destinations for graduates of this program include continuing education, community colleges, adult education organizations, and for-profit institutions.

Students who want to work with college populations can open the door to a successful career at West Virginia University. The school's affordable online master's degree in higher education is an entirely virtual program, available in both full-time and part-time formats. Students can enroll from nearly any location and take anywhere from two to eight years to earn their degree. Full-time, experienced faculty utilize advanced learning technology to communicate pertinent skills in college student development, program evaluation, research, administration, instructional design, and educational psychology. The College Board ranked WVU as having the 6th most affordable in-state tuition, and the 11th most affordable tuition for out-of-state students.

Indiana State University's "Extended Learning" department gives students yet another choice for students who want to earn an online master's degree in higher education. The 39-credit hour program covers aspects of both administration and student affairs, exploring focus areas in student activities, health promotion, non-traditional student populations, residence halls, management, student development, financial aid, admissions, and more. Students only need an internet connection to participate, and can access the program from Indiana and many other states. Forbes lists ISU as the 162nd best university in the Midwest and the 254th best research school nationally.

Penn State World Campus is a top online college that is nationally recognized for its education department. In fact, U.S. News places PSU as the 4th top online graduate school in education in the entire country. The education department offers a number of degrees, including one of the best online master's degrees in higher education available. The program comes with three areas of emphasis, including Administration, Institutional Research, and Student Engagement. Students can complete the program in one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study, with all classes available entirely through distance education.

The online master's degree in higher education from Stony Brook University comes with two options: a traditional M.A. degree and an advanced graduate certificate. SBU makes its higher education classes available to as many learners as possible, offering classes on campus, online, and in an extremely flexible hybrid format. The university has earned membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities, and lands in the top 100 on Kiplinger's list of best value public institutions. Classes include "Foundations of Higher Education Administration," "Survey of College Student Development Theory," "Leadership in Higher Education," and "Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education."

The University of Nebraska Lincoln offers a number of online programs, including this degree in educational administration. With an area of study in higher education, the major allows students to study the most pertinent aspects of administration, leadership, higher education, and student affairs. UNL offers this degree to current educational practitioners and teachers at schools around the world, and easily translates skills that are useful in any country. The 36 credit hour program does not require students to complete a thesis, and allow students to transfer a substantial number of class credits from previous academic work. This option is easily one of the best online master's degrees in higher education available, and U.S. News awards the school a Top 5 ranking for its online graduate education programs.