Many of the challenges Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky face in terms of educational achievement stem right back to the economic challenges that many parts of these states struggle with.
Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee are in a particularly tough spot, with a 2021 National Education Analysis ranking them 48th, 41st, and 49th in the country when it comes to the average dollar amount allocated on a per student basis.
But with inspired teachers aiming for careers in the principal’s office bringing a solutions-oriented mindset and a lot of heart to the job, even a lack of funding isn’t going to stand in the way of real change.
Since affordability is front and center when you’re thinking about the degree you need to become a principal or superintendent, you’re search for the best priced options in the East South Central Region is likely what brought you here. We’ve got you covered with this state-by-state list of the most affordable educational administration master’s degree programs.
Since we’ve limited our selections to private schools, you don’t have to worry that low-cost will mean having to make a compromise. All the schools that made our list offer tuition rates that come in below the state average, but the student experience and educational quality they offer is anything but. In fact, these are among the finest universities in the nation.
If you’re wondering exactly where we drew our lines for determining affordability and how we arrived at this mix of schools, you can find all those details on our criteria page here.
But the proof is in the price tag. Take a look at the wide variety of affordable master’s degrees we’ve put together for you, compare the costs and options and find the one that’s right for you.
The Most Affordable Administrator Prep Master’s Programs in Educational Leadership in the East South Central Region
Alabama
Samford University
Orlean Beeson School of Education
Birmingham, AL
Website
MSE in Instructional Leadership (on-campus)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $27,720
Only private master’s program in educational leadership with an administrator certification option in Alabama.
- Ranked first in the nation for student engagement by the Wall Street Journal
- Outstanding record of student achievement – 100% of all 2021 were employed within three months of graduation
- Graduate in just 18 months
- Also offers:
- EdD in Educational and Organizational Leadership
- EdS in Instructional Leadership
- EdD in Educational Leadership
In just 18 months, Samford University will get you where you want to be with their MSE in Instructional Leadership! Your Alabama Class B certificate and three years of teaching experience are all that’s needed to dive deep into areas of school finance, management design of school improvement, legal and ethical issues in education, and the diverse classroom. This exciting course of graduate study offers a clear path to a variety of roles in educational leadership, including educational administrator, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent. Choose Samford for your master’s degree in educational leadership and you’ll be part of a school that boasts a 100% employment rate within three months of graduation!
Kentucky
Georgetown College
Georgetown, KY
Website
MAEd in Instructional Leadership (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $23,300
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $140 below the state average for similar programs.
- Option for School Principalship Level 1 and Level 2 certifications
- Fully online program offers unparalleled convenience and flexibility
- Also offers:
- MA in Teacher Leader (ESL, Gifted-Talented, Instructional Computer Technology, Moderate-Severe Disabilities, no endorsement option)
- Certificate in Instructional Leadership P-12
- Supervisor of Instruction Certificate
- School Superintendent Certificate
- Director of Pupil Personnel P-12
- Director of Special Education P-12 Certificate
Georgetown College’s MAED in Instructional Leadership boasts a superb value and a fully online course of study leading to a Level 1 or Level 2 Certification for School Principal Grades P-12. Here you’ll gain the knowledge to hone your leadership skills within diverse settings to positively impact your students’ achievement. This program is just one of many graduate programs in education offered through Georgetown, which is well-known for its exceptional faculty and tightknit Christian learning environment.
Mississippi
Belhaven University
Education Department
Jackson, MS
Website
MEd in School Leadership and Administration (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $19,635
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $986 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Ranked among the Best Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report
- Named among America’s top Christian colleges
- Superb faculty of experienced practitioners
- Offered in fully online format for outstanding convenience and flexibility
Belhaven University’s MEd in School Leadership and Administration is priced below the state average among similar programs and offered in the fully online format that today’s busy, working educators demand. Here you’ll study both theory and practice from a Christian worldview and prepare to become a confident, effective educational leader. Upon completion, you’ll be ready to take the School Leaders License Assessment and earn a Mississippi Administrator license. This program, which is rich in leadership and management techniques, is taught by an esteemed faculty with real-world educational leadership experience.
William Carey University
School of Education
Hattiesburg, MS
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $16,560
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $4,061 below the state average for similar programs at private universities.
- Take just two online courses per trimester for unmatched convenience and flexibility
- All courses are asynchronous, with the exception of three live classes per semester, which are held on Saturday mornings
- Also offers:
- Doctoral in Educational Leadership
- EdS in Educational Leadership
William Carey University’s MEd in Educational Leadership offers an affordable, convenient path to a career in educational leadership and administration! Priced more than $4,000 below the state average among similar programs and offered in a truly convenient online format, this course of graduate study offers everything you need to take the next step in your career and qualify for the School Leadership Licensure Assessment. We love the convenient and flexible format that features just two courses per trimester and no synchronous (live) courses, except three virtual classes per trimester, which are held on Saturday mornings. This is what convenience in graduate education looks like!
Tennessee
Christian Brothers University
Rosa Deal School of Arts
Memphis, TN
Website
MS in Educational Leadership (on-campus)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $19,840
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $2,770 below the state average for similar programs.
- Named a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report
- Ranked among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report
- Boasts small class sizes and outstanding guidance and mentorship from a dedicated faculty of experts
- Also offers:
- Fast Track Educational Leadership Program
- MEd-Teacher Leadership track
Assistant principal, principal, or supervisor – a career in educational leadership and administration is just months away through Christian Brothers University’s MS in Educational Leadership! This exciting course of study features 31 credits, an optimal blend of theory and practical experiences, and outstanding preparation for the School Leaders Licensure assessment! Small class sizes and unmatched instructor guidance and mentorship round out this dynamic course of graduate study for the aspiring educational leader/administrator.
Union University
College of Education
Jackson, TN
Website
MEd in Instructional Leadership (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $16,950
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $5,660 below the state average for similar programs.
- Ranked among the nation’s Top Tier Universities by U.S. News & World Report
- Fully online program and three start dates per year offer superb convenience and flexibility
- Earn your degree in just 12 months
- Also offers:
- EdD in Higher Education
- EdD in P-12 School Administration
- EdS in Educational Leadership
- MEd with a Teacher Leadership focus
Union University’s MEd with a focus in Instructional Leadership offers outstanding affordability and a streamlined path to a career as a building or district leader. This exciting course of study, which prepares students to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment and assume top roles as educational leaders and administrators, focuses on teamwork, cooperation, professional support, and the sharing of knowledge. It’s also offered in a fully online format that makes earning your graduate degree easier and more convenient than ever! This Christ-centered academic experience can be completed in just 12 months!
Lincoln Memorial University
Carter and Moyers School of Education
Harrogate, TN
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership (online, hybrid)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $16,665
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $5,945 below the state average for similar programs.
- Licensure and non-licensure tracks available
- Fully online cohort design ensures superb convenience and flexibility within an engaging, collaborative learning environment
- Options to meet with faculty members in-person up to three times per semester
- Also offers:
- EdD with a concentration in Instructional Leadership
- MEd with a concentration in Instructional Leadership
Lincoln Memorial University’s MEd in Educational Leadership offers an affordable, streamlined path to an Instructional Leader License and an exciting, challenging career as an educational leader/administrator! Priced nearly $6,000 below the state average among similar programs, the MEd in Educational Leader is what true affordability looks like! And the dynamic curriculum is designed to develop educators who want to lead at either the building- or district-level. We also love the online cohort design – a convenient format that includes extensive, embedded clinical experiences and online coursework for a truly well-rounded course of graduate study.
Trevecca Nazarene University
School of Education
Nashville, TN
Website
MEd in Educational Leadership (online)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $15,900
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $6,710 below the state average for similar programs.
- Also offers: EdS in Accountability and Instructional Leadership
- Fully online program offers outstanding convenience
- Take just one course at a time and graduate in as little as 16 months
- Home to a dedicated faculty with valuable, real-world experience
Priced nearly $7,000 below the state average among similar programs, Trevecca University’s MEd in Educational Leadership is the embodiment of value! This dynamic course of graduate study is offered through a convenient and flexible format and designed to prepare you to take the School Leaders Licensure exam. This program prepares educators to become effective leaders who can design effective curricula, effectively manage staff, improve student learning, incorporate modern educational technologies and inclusive best practices, and increase school success. You’ll take just one course at a time for maximum convenience and complete your degree in just 16 months!
Carson-Newman University
Education Department
Jefferson City, TN
Website
MEd - Educational Leadership (online, hybrid)
Total Estimated Program Cost: $15,660
Total tuition for an educational leadership master’s degree comes in at $6,950 below the state average for similar programs.
- Ranked as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report
- Offering true convenience: Study on a part-time basis, taking just one course at a time
- Your choice of a fully online or hybrid course delivery for maximum flexibility
- Also offers:
- EdD in Administrative Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction Leadership
- EdS in Administrative Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction Leadership
Carson-Newman University’s MEd in Educational Leadership offers unmatched value for the aspiring educational leader! This program is completed in half-semester units, which is ideal for busy, working educators. Students here take six hours each semester, one course at a time. We love the option to study through a fully online or hybrid format. If you choose the hybrid format, you’ll have the option of taking the program’s core courses in an in-person format in several locations across the state (classes meet in the evening, just one time per week). If you choose the online format, you’ll study when and where it’s most convenient for you. Whichever program you choose, you’ll graduate in just 18 months, well-prepared to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment and assume an exciting role in educational administration and leadership!