An online master's in higher education administration trains you to work in the offices that keep a college running: admissions, advising, residence life, financial aid, career services and student programs. Coursework is delivered at a distance, and the hands-on piece, a practicum or internship in a campus office, is arranged near you.
This degree is a professional credential for campus work, not a teaching license, so the questions that matter differ from those in K-12 education. Which standards does the curriculum follow, how much supervised practice does it include, and what does the school's state disclosure say? The sections below answer those, then turn to cost, jobs and how to choose.
Source: IPEDS completions and Institutional Characteristics, read October 6, 2026.
fully online master's programs in higher education administration ranked, from 60 schools
64
master's degrees a year at the median ranked program
14
median out-of-state tuition and fees for a master's year, 2023-24
$16,123
home states among the 25 schools on the list
17
This ranking covers fully online master's programs in higher education administration only. Hybrid programs, programs with a required campus visit and programs on campus are counted but not ranked here.
The 25 Best Online Master's Programs in Higher Education Administration, Ranked
The 25 best online master's programs in higher education administration are ranked below by one score out of 100, built from IPEDS degrees awarded and graduate tuition and fees. Across all 64 ranked programs the median charge is $11,097 in state and $16,123 out of state, so each card's figures read high or low against that.
1
91.7- Private nonprofit
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 176 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,340
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,340
Liberty University's online Master of Education in Higher Education is aimed at working professionals who want to move into college and university administration. Candidates choose a concentration in Educational Leadership, Instructional Design and Technology, or Student Affairs. The degree ends in a capstone project built on case studies. Up to half the degree may transfer in, terms start eight times a year, and no standardized test is required to apply. Regional accreditation comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
2
85.2- Private nonprofit
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 54 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $11,070
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $11,070
Humphreys University offers a general Master of Arts in Education that is fully online and asynchronous, so educators can keep working while they study. No dedicated higher education administration track exists on the program page. Instead, elective flexibility lets learners steer their coursework toward their own goals. Small classes and direct access to faculty give the experience a mentored feel, and a student who moves steadily through the sequence can finish in about one year.
3
84.7- Private for-profit
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 92 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $11,124
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $11,124
Grand Canyon University frames its 32-credit Master of Arts in Higher Education Student Affairs around servant leadership and a faith-based curriculum. Courses are online and last six weeks each. A 60-hour practicum sits in the final three courses and takes place at a higher education institution, so graduates apply the work in a campus setting before they finish. The focus fits advising, residence life and campus support roles, not classroom teaching. It is not a licensure program, and anyone seeking certification is directed to the university's state disclosures page. Institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission applies to the degree.
4
83.5- Public
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 77 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $11,582
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $10,521
Purdue University Global's online Master of Science in Higher Education requires a minimum of 45 quarter credits and lets students concentrate in College Administration and Leadership or in Student Affairs. Seven defined outcomes cover research, governance, assessment, ethics and finance. The degree has no capstone or thesis requirement, which keeps the work centered on coursework. For anyone eyeing P-12 educator certification, approvals differ by state: the program is not accredited for that purpose in Kentucky, and students in Alabama or Tennessee should check local rules before enrolling.
5
79.6- Private for-profit
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 24 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $6,600
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $6,600
American College of Education delivers its online Master of Education in Higher Education in an estimated 12 to 16 months. Round-the-clock student support and tutoring are included, which suits working adults who need to study around a job. The degree is not positioned as licensure-bearing, so it serves people building a career in higher education rather than seeking a state credential. The college's institutional accreditor is the Higher Learning Commission.
6
75.3- Private for-profit
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 30 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $10,657
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $10,657
Working adults can take Walden University's online Master of Science in Higher Education with coursework personalized around the commitments they already have. A choice of specializations steers the degree toward College Teaching and Learning or toward Leadership for Student Success, which the school designates as non-licensure. Preparation reaches past the traditional campus into hands-on and leadership roles in business and government training and development, so a graduate's options are not limited to a college payroll. Delivery is fully online, and no state credential is attached to the leadership specialization.
7
Seattle University
Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership and Administration
Seattle, Washington
72.5- Private nonprofit
- College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Degrees awarded
- 56 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,795
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,795
Seattle University's 42-credit Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership and Administration is delivered fully online and centers on equity-minded leadership in higher education and student affairs. The degree succeeds the university's Student Development Administration program, is also offered as an M.Ed., and follows one unified curriculum with no concentrations. Across two years, two community-engaged learning and internship courses put practice into the later stretch, and a practitioner or research capstone lets each student shape the closing project around personal goals. Three portfolio seminars in the final year keep reflection on professional growth going.
8
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration
Edinburg, Texas
71.7- Public
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 93 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,994
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,443
A social justice lens frames the accelerated online Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, preparing graduates for entry and advancement in higher education and student affairs roles. The degree is administrative and not a teaching license, so the coursework concentrates on organizational, leadership and student development knowledge. Delivery is fully online in the university's accelerated format, which suits employees who keep working while they study toward campus leadership.
9
65.8- Private nonprofit
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 15 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $9,492
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $9,492
Stackable certificates give Wilmington University's 33-credit Master of Education in Higher Education its shape. A 15-credit Foundations of Higher Education certificate comes first, followed by a 15-credit concentration in Teaching in Higher Education, Student Affairs in Higher Education, or Administration in Higher Education. Each concentration carries a three-credit field experience of 120 hours plus a professional portfolio. Courses are 100% online with seven-week options, and a finish in as little as 14 months is possible. The degree is not presented as a path to licensure.
10
University of West Alabama
Master of Education in Student Affairs in Higher Education
Livingston, Alabama
65.1- Public
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 26 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $13,546
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $6,868
Candidates at the University of West Alabama take the 33-credit-hour Master of Education in Student Affairs in Higher Education in accelerated 8-week courses online and can finish in one to two years. A single concentration in student affairs keeps the coursework focused, a Practicum in Student Affairs can be done virtually or in person, and a comprehensive written examination stands in for a thesis. The degree is a non-certification program and does not lead to Alabama teaching certification. SACSCOC accreditation and NC-SARA participation allow the university to enroll students from other states.
11
63.5- Public
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 40 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $16,298
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,954
Mid-level administrative and leadership positions at colleges and universities are the target of Sam Houston State University's online Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration, which prepares students for those roles and not for a state license. The 36 credit hours stay the same with or without a thesis, so a candidate can pick a research route or an applied one. A supervised practicum places the coursework in a real administrative setting, and an optional Academic Advising Certificate adds a specialty.
12
American Public University System
Master of Education in Student Affairs in Higher Education
Charles Town, West Virginia
62.6- Private for-profit
- College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Degrees awarded
- 11 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,160
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,160
American Public University System runs its online Master of Education in Student Affairs in Higher Education with monthly course starts across 36 credits. Candidates choose Academic Advising, Campus Leadership, or Career Coaching and Services, each a 12-hour concentration. Supervised field work comes through a 150-hour practicum, and some students take a Capstone Seminar in its place. The curriculum lines up with ACPA, NASPA, NACADA and CAS competency standards, and the Higher Learning Commission accredits the institution. State licensure is not part of this professional degree.
13
Angelo State University
Master of Education in Student Development and Leadership in Higher Education
San Angelo, Texas
58.6- Public
- College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Degrees awarded
- 21 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $14,954
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $7,394
Aspiring advisers, admissions staff, residence life coordinators and student activities leaders are the audience for Angelo State University's online Master of Education in Student Development and Leadership in Higher Education. Courses run in eight-week terms with multiple start dates and a self-paced structure built around a working schedule. There are no formal tracks, though students may embed a five-course Academic Advising Certificate in the degree. As a non-licensure program, it points toward non-academic leadership in higher education.
14
University of Sioux Falls
Master of Education in Educational Administration - Adult & Higher Education
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
57.5- Private nonprofit
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 8 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $7,335
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $7,335
Adult and higher education is the emphasis of the University of Sioux Falls' 33-credit Master of Education in Educational Administration, delivered entirely online with accelerated, self-paced coursework. The track leads away from K-12 principal licensure and toward administrative roles in colleges, universities, and adult and continuing education settings. The Fredrikson School of Education holds CAEP accreditation, and the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and approved by the South Dakota Department of Education.
15
54.0- Private nonprofit
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 7 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,112
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,112
Biblical worldview integration runs through every course of Grace College's 36-credit online Master of Science in Higher Education, a fit for professionals drawn to faith-based institutions. A single track with no formal concentrations gives every student the same grounding in the administrative work of running a college. Grant writing and fundraising are covered, skills tied to the finances of higher education settings. All faculty hold terminal degrees. Graduates are prepared for administration in higher education, and the degree does not lead to licensure.
16
53.3- Public
- College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Degrees awarded
- 12 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $12,416
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $6,980
Arkansas State University's online Master of Science in Higher Education is one 11-course core with no concentrations, so every student follows the same path. Admission calls for no teaching license, and the degree ends without a thesis or capstone. Accelerated seven-week terms carry the 33 credit hours, and a motivated student can finish in as few as 12 months. With no licensure involved, the degree is aimed at administrative and leadership work in college and university offices rather than classroom credentialing.
17
Northern Arizona University
Master of Education in Community College/Higher Education
Flagstaff, Arizona
52.9- Public
- Community College Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 44 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $22,077
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $12,547
Northern Arizona University delivers its 30-unit Master of Education in Community College/Higher Education fully online for people heading toward teaching or administrative work at two-year and four-year institutions. A 21-credit core of community college and higher education courses is joined by a research sequence and six elective credits. No thesis or GRE is required, and several emphasis areas allow optional fieldwork or an internship. Enrollment opens on multiple start dates. The degree confers no state licensure and does not lead to K-12 certification.
18
52.5- Private nonprofit
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 17 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,500
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,500
Professionals on the non-academic side of campus, in student life, enrollment, advising or financial services, are the focus of Tiffin University's fully asynchronous Master of Education in Higher Education Administration. Its 30 credits move through seven-week terms with six start dates a year, and full-time students can finish in about twelve months. The capstone course sends students into professional interviews that tie course concepts to real practice. Every faculty member in the program holds a doctorate. The degree is a career-advancement credential and not a licensure path.
19
51.8- Private nonprofit
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 22 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $17,865
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $17,865
Mercer University's online Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership comes from its Tift College of Education and runs in accelerated 8-week terms. Candidates add either a Postsecondary Administration track or an Athletics Leadership track, six credit hours each, to a 24-hour core, and all complete a 50-hour field experience. Rolling admission offers five start terms a year, and the 30 hours can be finished in 12 to 16 months, or in as few as nine. No GRE is needed, and 94% of students already work in the field when they enroll.
20
Capella University
Master of Science in Education, Higher Education Leadership and Administration
Minneapolis, Minnesota
51.8- Private for-profit
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 15 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,066
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,066
Capella University structures its 46-quarter-credit online Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Leadership and Administration around self-paced, competency-based GuidedPath study. Four core courses, a five-course specialization and a capstone make up the curriculum, and students pick History, Politics and Public Policy, Law and Governance, Finance and Development, or Program Administration to match the part of higher education they want to lead. Capella holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. Nothing in the specialization work is meant to satisfy professional licensure rules.
21
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Master of Science in Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs
Edwardsville, Illinois
51.8- Public
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 8 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $10,102
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $10,102
Six start dates a year and seven-week accelerated courses define the 39-hour master's in higher education and student affairs at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which students can complete online in about 12 to 15 months. Coursework follows standards set by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education, and CAEP accredits the home School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. Those eyeing collegiate athletics departments can choose an Athletics specialization of 33 credits that blends sport management with athletic administration. Graduates move into student affairs and higher education work, not P-12 licensure.
22
50.0- Public
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 20 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $17,918
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $9,518
Texas Tech University teaches its online Master of Education in Higher Education Administration asynchronously, so the 30 credit hours can be fitted around work and other commitments. Eight-week terms and multiple start dates let professionals set a steady pace. The final requirement is a capstone in which leadership theory is put to work in applied administrative practice. Administrative in nature, the degree prepares graduates for leadership roles across higher education and does not lead to a license.
23
48.8- Private nonprofit
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 15 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,912
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $15,912
Monthly, year-round enrollment lets students begin National University's 30-credit Master of Science in Higher Education Administration whenever they are ready, with ten online courses and an average completion of 14 to 18 months. Those considering doctoral study can add an optional culminating thesis, EDA 694, while others take a more direct route. The WASC Senior College and University Commission accredits the university. National University states that the degree does not lead to automatic state licensure, employment or certification.
24
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
Master of Education in Higher Education
University Park, Pennsylvania
48.2- Public
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Degrees awarded
- 37 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $24,406
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $24,406
Penn State's Center for the Study of Higher Education, with more than fifty years of work in the field, stands behind the 30-credit online Master of Education in Higher Education offered through World Campus. Students concentrate in Administration, Student Engagement or Institutional Research. Instead of a thesis, the program ends with an Individual Studies capstone, and an optional three-credit internship course provides field experience. The degree has no licensure component, since university teaching roles generally call for a doctorate.
25
Appalachian State University
Master's in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA)
Boone, North Carolina
47.8- Public
- College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
- Degrees awarded
- 35 a year
- Out-of-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $24,140
- In-state tuition and fees, 2023-24
- $8,380
Appalachian State University's 36-credit Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs moves a cohort through a single track with no concentrations, in person or online. The curriculum is built on the ACPA and NASPA Professional Competencies for Student Affairs Educators. An equity-minded design and a stated emphasis on non-traditional and underrepresented students orient the work toward access and student success. Graduates are scholar-practitioners rather than licensed professionals, heading to universities, community colleges and college-transition programs. The online option means a student can join from wherever they work.
How We Rank
Every eligible program is scored out of 100. Each figure becomes a percentile against the 64 ranked programs, and the percentiles are weighted as below. The methodology page explains each choice.
- Degrees awarded: 50%. Master's degrees the program conferred in the latest reported year, counted up to 50. Past 50 a year a program is clearly established and more volume adds nothing.
- Out-of-state tuition and fees: 50%. The university's graduate tuition plus required fees for a full-time year, out-of-state rate, 2023-24. Lower cost scores higher.
Reading the cards. Degrees awarded is the program's own count for the latest year reported to IPEDS, counted up to 50 for the score. Each tuition figure on a higher education administration card is the university's graduate charge for a full-time year, read from IPEDS Institutional Characteristics, 2023-24. It is not a per-credit price or an online-only rate, so ask the program for its own.
Source: federal IPEDS records, read October 6, 2026. Tuition and fees are 2023-24. Scores are our own.
How Many Online Master's Programs in Higher Education Administration Are There?
There are 91 fully online master's programs in higher education administration, out of 255 on federal record, and 64 of them are ranked above. A program counts as fully online when the school's own description of it says the whole degree can be completed at a distance, in line with the federal definition of an exclusively distance education program. In higher education administration, a required campus residency makes a program hybrid here, even when most of the coursework is online, while a student teaching or practicum placement near home does not.
What Does an Online Master's in Higher Education Administration Cost?
An online master's in higher education administration costs from $6,600 to $41,224 a year out of state in graduate tuition and required fees across the 64 ranked programs, with a median of $16,123. In state the median is $11,097. These are each university's annual graduate charge from IPEDS Institutional Characteristics, 2023-24 rather than a per-credit price or an online-only rate, so a higher education administration program's own price page is the figure to plan on.
What Does an Online Master's in Higher Education Administration Cover?
An online master's in higher education administration covers how colleges are governed, how students develop, and how campus offices are run day to day. Grand Canyon University's online Master of Arts in Higher Education Student Affairs, for example, lists courses in laws and ethics in student affairs, student development, crisis management, developing student leaders and operational resource management, plus a capstone.
Two sets of professional standards guide many curricula. ACPA and NASPA publish ten professional competency areas for student affairs educators, and the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education has issued standards for master's-level preparation programs written to fit the different ways programs are delivered. Degree titles vary, so compare course lists rather than names.
How Long Does an Online Master's in Higher Education Administration Take?
An online master's in higher education administration takes one to two years at the University of West Alabama, whose 33-credit-hour online M.Ed. in student affairs runs in eight-week courses. Grand Canyon University's 32-credit program uses six-week courses, and Northern Arizona University's 30-unit online M.Ed. in community college and higher education offers several enrollment points and allows six consecutive years to finish.
Courses this short make your calendar depend on how many you take at a time and how many terms you enroll in each year. At Grand Canyon University the practicum spans the last three courses, so the end is the busiest stretch.
Does an Online Master's in Higher Education Administration Lead to a License?
An online master's in higher education administration does not lead to a state license, because the degree prepares you for campus administrative work, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook describes the usual route into that work as a master's degree plus experience in a college office. Programs are plain about this: the University of West Alabama lists its program as non-certification, and Grand Canyon University's page directs students who want a license to its state disclosures rather than promising one.
Two nearby paths involve licensing, and both belong to different degrees. School principal licenses come from state agencies and attach to school leadership programs, which are covered in the educational leadership rankings and the licensure guide. Counselor licensure attaches to counseling degrees, which is where CACREP accreditation applies.
How Do State Authorization and Licensure Disclosures Apply to Online Higher Education Administration Students?
State authorization and licensure disclosures apply to online higher education administration students mainly as a way to confirm that the program makes no licensure promise. 34 CFR 668.43 requires a school to list the states where a program designed to meet professional licensure requirements does and does not meet them, and to tell you in writing before you enroll if the program does not meet your state's requirements or the school has not decided, so the list matters for licensure programs and carries little weight for this one.
Still ask the school for its position in writing if you may want a counseling or school administrator license later. Grand Canyon University sends students seeking licensure to its state disclosures page. NC-SARA, the interstate agreement that lets a school enroll students across state lines, says it does not address licensing board approval, so permission to enroll you is separate from a board's view of your degree.
What Costs Come With an Online Master's in Higher Education Administration Besides Tuition?
The costs that come with an online master's in higher education administration besides tuition are semester fees and the clearances a practicum requires. The University of West Alabama lists $429 per credit hour plus a $120 technology fee each semester, and Grand Canyon University lists $625 per credit, so credits times a rate is only a starting figure.
Practicum sites add small charges: Grand Canyon University requires fingerprint clearance in each of its three practicum courses, and the University of West Alabama requires a criminal background check. These annual graduate charges come from IPEDS Institutional Characteristics and assume a full-time year, so a part-time student should rely on the program's own current rate.
What Jobs Can You Get With an Online Master's in Higher Education Administration?
An online master's in higher education administration leads to jobs such as registrar, admissions officer, student affairs administrator, academic dean and provost, the roles the Occupational Outlook Handbook lists for postsecondary education administrators. Northwestern State University of Louisiana names academic support advisor, student engagement director and career services coordinator among the positions its online graduates pursue.
Postsecondary education administrators typically need a master's degree, and the same profile says provosts and deans often must have a Ph.D., while admissions and student affairs jobs may not require prior experience. For other offices, the profile says employers typically prefer several years of experience in a college administrative setting, so a practicum and campus work history count alongside the degree.
How Much Do Jobs Tied to an Online Master's in Higher Education Administration Pay?
Jobs tied to an online master's in higher education administration pay a median of $104,590 a year in the closest federal occupation, Education Administrators, Postsecondary, in May 2025. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counts 180,470 workers in that occupation, and the lowest-paid tenth earn $64,560 or less while the highest-paid tenth earn $215,620 or more.
The Bureau's Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for this occupation covers projected growth, entry requirements and typical duties.
These are national wages for the occupation as a whole, not what a master's graduate earns, so a district's salary schedule or an employer's own pay scale is the figure to plan on.
How Should You Choose an Online Program for a Career in College Administration?
To choose an online program for a career in college administration, start from the job you want, then check the curriculum and the school's institutional accreditation. The U.S. Department of Education's database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs shows a school's accreditor, and Grand Canyon University states that it has held Higher Learning Commission accreditation since 1968.
Then compare what each degree is built around. The University of West Alabama's student affairs program requires a practicum and a written comprehensive examination, while Northern Arizona University's community college track builds a 21-unit core of community college and higher education courses. For community college leadership, the AACC Competencies for Community College Leaders describe what that sector expects.
How Do You Earn an Online Master's in Higher Education Administration?
You earn an online master's in higher education administration by picking the campus role you want, confirming the program promises no license it cannot give, and planning the practicum before you apply.
- Choose a campus function. Decide whether you are aiming at student affairs, enrollment and advising, or community college leadership, since program titles and course lists follow those lines.
- Read the course list against the standards. Compare each curriculum with the ACPA and NASPA competency areas and the CAS master's standards, looking for coursework in law, assessment, student development and leadership.
- Confirm accreditation and disclosures. Check the school's institutional accreditor in the federal database, and ask in writing how it treats your state if you may also want a counseling or school administrator license.
- Plan the practicum. Ask how many hours the program requires, whether they can be done virtually or in a campus office near you, and which clearances come first.
- Enroll and sequence your terms. Send transcripts and the materials the program lists, pick a start date, and map course terms against the practicum so field hours fall when your site is open.
Common Questions About Online Master's Programs in Higher Education Administration
How Many Online Master's Programs in Higher Education Administration Are There?
How Much Does an Online Master's in Higher Education Administration Cost?
What Are the Best Online Master's Programs in Higher Education Administration?
Are Online Master's Programs in Higher Education Administration Accredited?
How Are Online Master's Programs in Higher Education Administration Ranked?
What Separates a Higher Education Administration Master's From a Student Affairs Master's?
Can a Higher Education Administration Master's Lead to a Principal License?
Do Online Higher Education Administration Programs Require a Practicum?
Do You Need a Doctorate to Become a College Dean or Provost?
Are Online Higher Education Administration Courses Live or Asynchronous?
Where Do the Figures on These Online Master's Programs in Higher Education Administration Come From?
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
- IPEDS Institutional Characteristics, 2023-24
- Distance Education in IPEDS
- College Navigator
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)
- Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Education Administrators, Postsecondary
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- 34 CFR 668.43, Institutional and programmatic information (eCFR)
- NC-SARA, Professional Licensure
- Grand Canyon University, Master of Arts in Higher Education Student Affairs
- University of West Alabama, online M.Ed. in Student Affairs in Higher Education
- Northern Arizona University, M.Ed. in Community College/Higher Education
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana, M.A. in Student Affairs in Higher Education
- CAS, revised standards for master's-level higher education and student affairs preparation programs
- ACPA and NASPA, Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Educators
- AACC Competencies for Community College Leaders (Community College Daily)
- CACREP, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
The figures on these online master's programs in higher education administration come from federal records that each college reports about itself, as of the dates shown. Each card's description is researched from that program's own page, which the card links.
Show the federal record for all 25 colleges ranked, in 17 states
Liberty University Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses Grand Canyon University Purdue University Global American College of Education Walden University Seattle University The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Wilmington University University of West Alabama Sam Houston State University American Public University System Angelo State University University of Sioux Falls Grace College and Theological Seminary Arkansas State University Northern Arizona University Tiffin University Mercer University Capella University Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Texas Tech University National University Pennsylvania State University-World Campus Appalachian State University