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Best and Affordable Online Master of Education Programs in Pennsylvania

This page provides details about the best and most affordable online Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is home to 47 not-for-profit schools that offer M.Ed. programs in online and hybrid formats. While these programs are primarily designed for licensed educators, some schools have M.Ed. options for first-time licensure. Earning an M.Ed. can position you to add an endorsement area, develop expertise in a specific subject or area of teaching, or qualify for specialist licenses in areas like school administration. Review our rankings of the best and most affordable online M.Ed. programs below.

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47 Best Online M.Ed. Programs in Pennsylvania

The table below displays the top-ranked online and hybrid M.Ed., Master of Arts in Education (MA.Ed.), and Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) programs in Pennsylvania based on program accreditation, number of relevant offerings, third-party school and program ratings, and affordability. For more information, see our unique ranking methodology.

School NameRankAccreditation1,2*M.Ed. Program Types**Program FormatUS News National Rank3US News Graduate Education Rank4Tuition Per Credit Hour***Credit Hours Req’d
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania#1CAEPAdministration, C&I, Content Area, Counseling, Reading, Teacher PrepOnline#219 tie$54230-48
Lehigh University#2Administration, C&I, Counseling, Teacher PrepHybrid, Online#47 tie#86 tie$59030-48
University of Pennsylvania#3Administration, C&IOnline#6#7$1,73030
Indiana University of Pennsylvania#4CAEPAdministration, C&I, Content Area, Teacher PrepHybrid, Online#166 tie$51630-33
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania#5CAEPC&I, Content Area, Reading, Teacher PrepHybrid, Online#320 tie$52130-36
Alvernia University#6Administration, Content Area, Teacher PrepHybrid, Online#296 tie#178 tie$51633-39
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania#7CAEPC&I, ReadingHybrid, Online#229 tie$54330-36
Temple University#8Administration, C&I, Content AreaHybrid, Online#89 tie#48 tie$1,25130-36
University of Pittsburgh#9Administration, C&I, Content Area, Reading, Teacher PrepHybrid, Online#67 tie#34 tie$1,03830-52
West Chester University of Pennsylvania#10CAEPC&I, Content Area, ReadingHybrid, Online#209 tie#178 tie$64533-36
Pennsylvania Western University#11CAEPC&I, Content AreaOnline$52130
Point Park University#12Administration, Content Area, Reading, Teacher PrepOnline#352 tie$61230-42
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania#13CAEPAdministration, C&I, Content Area, Reading, Teacher PrepHybrid, Online$64530-45
Millersville University of Pennsylvania#14CAEPC&I, Content Area, ReadingHybrid, Online$64533-42
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania#15CAEPAdministration, C&I, Content Area, Teacher PrepHybrid, Online$62636-54
Eastern University#16Administration, C&I, Content Area, Counseling, Reading, Teacher PrepHybrid, Online$79030-49
Duquesne University#17CAEPAdministration, Content AreaHybrid, Online#151 tie#169 tie$1,51530-39
Holy Family University#18Administration, Content Area, Reading, Teacher PrepHybrid, Online$54130-31
Gannon University#19C&I, ReadingOnline#260 tie$60030
Carlow University#20Administration, C&I, Content Area, Reading, Teacher PrepOnline$60030-36
York College of Pennsylvania#21Administration, C&I, ReadingOnline$68033-36
Lancaster Bible College#22C&I, Content Area, Counseling, Teacher PrepHybrid, Online$49536-60
Gwynedd Mercy University#23Administration, C&I, Content Area, Teacher PrepOnline#260 tie$75030-36
DeSales University#24Administration, Content Area, Teacher PrepOnline#280 tie$59030-61
Wilson College#25C&I, Content AreaHybrid, Online$52530
Elizabethtown College#26Administration, C&IOnline$52530-34
Cabrini University#27Administration, C&IHybrid, Online$72031
Waynesburg University#28C&I, Content AreaOnline$70530-36
Lebanon Valley College#29C&I, Content AreaOnline$71333
Saint Francis University#30Administration, Content Area, ReadingOnline$73530-42
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus#31Administration, C&I, Content AreaOnline$1,01730-33
Seton Hill University#32C&I, ReadingOnline$81430
Widener University#33Administration, C&I, Content Area, Counseling, Reading, Teacher PrepHybrid, Online#227 tie$86930-71
Gratz College#34Content AreaOnline$46530-33
Moravian University#35C&IHybrid, Online$51630
King's College#36ReadingOnline$47533
University of Valley Forge#37C&IOnline$54530
Clarks Summit University#38C&IOnline$62030
Keystone College#39AdministrationHybrid$65030
Cairn University#40Content AreaOnline$50039
Susquehanna University#41C&IHybrid$61034
University of the Arts#42C&IOnline$78330
Juniata College#43C&IOnline$80030
La Salle University#44C&IHybrid, Online#201 tie$88530
Messiah University#45C&I, Content Area, Teacher PrepOnline$78030-84
Pennsylvania State University-PennState Harrisburg#46C&IHybrid, Online$1,18830
Pennsylvania State University-PennState York#47C&IOnline$1,18830

*See table notes at bottom of page.

18 Most Affordable Online Master of Education Programs in Pennsylvania

The following schools with hybrid and online M.Ed. degrees are the most affordable based on the minimum program tuition, excluding fees. The total credit hours required may vary by concentration area, so be sure to check with schools of interest for specific program options. You can cross-reference this list with our table above to compare the quality indicators that best fit your needs.

  1. Gratz College ($13,950-$15,345)
  2. Moravian University ($15,480)
  3. Indiana University of Pennsylvania ($15,480-$17,028)
  4. Pennsylvania Western University ($15,630)
  5. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania ($15,630-$18,756)
  6. King’s College ($15,675)
  7. Wilson College ($15,750)
  8. Elizabethtown College ($15,750-$17,850)
  9. Holy Family University ($16,230-$16,771)
  10. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($16,260-$26,016)
  11. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania ($16,290-$19,548)
  12. University of Valley Forge ($16,350)
  13. Alvernia University ($17,028-$20,124)
  14. Lehigh University ($17,700-$28,320)
  15. DeSales University ($17,700-$35,990)
  16. Lancaster Bible College ($17,820-$29,700)
  17. Gannon University ($18,000)
  18. Carlow University ($18,000-$21,600)

Possible Job Titles With an M.Ed.

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Table notes:
* AAQEP accredits programs, not providers, so not all programs at a given school will hold this accreditation.
** Administration: Programs focused on administrative training, such as educational leadership, principal preparation and endorsement, and educational administration.
C&I: Programs in curriculum and instruction, instructional design, educational technology, and instructional strategies for specific populations, such as urban education, social justice, research, or special education.
Content Area: Programs in an instructional area such as English, Math, or Special Education.
Counseling: Programs that lead to certification, licensure, or advancement as a school counselor.
Teacher Prep: Programs designed for initial licensure.
Reading: Programs in reading and literacy, typically focused on credential preparation for reading and literacy specialists.
*** Tuition is per credit hour for in-state students and does not include required fees.

References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation: https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation: https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
3. US News & World Report National University Rankings, 2024: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities
4. US News & World Report Best Education Schools, 2024: https://premium.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings