Oregon's online education master's divide neatly into two jobs. Some, like the Master of Arts in Teaching at Bushnell University in Eugene, are meant to carry a career changer into a first license, while others, like Portland State University's curriculum and instruction master's, are meant for people already teaching.
One Oregon rule shapes that choice more than any price difference: a master's counts toward the Professional Teaching License only if it is finished after the first license is issued. The sections below cover the schools, the licensing rules and what in-state study means for an Oregon resident.
Source: IPEDS, read October 6, 2026. Tuition is the 2023-24 in-state rate.
top score, Southern Oregon University
69.2
median in-state tuition and fees across the 9 listed, 2023-24
$17,202
schools in Oregon with a ranked fully online master's in education
9
ranked programs in Oregon that lead to a license
8
This list covers fully online master's programs at universities located in Oregon, one per school.
The 9 Best Online Master's in Education Programs in Oregon
The 9 programs below are at schools in Oregon, scored at the in-state price and listed one per school.
1
Southern Oregon University
Education (MEd), MA or MS
Ashland, Oregon
69.2- Public
- Leads to a license
- Education, General
- Degrees awarded
- 58 a year
- Yearly cost
- $16,971
- In-state rate
- $16,971, 2023-24
- Out-of-state rate
- $19,779
Ashland's Southern Oregon University offers its Education degree as an MEd, MA or MS in Education with concentrations in Adult Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership in Early Childhood Education, Leadership in Higher Education, Public Health Education, Reading and Literacy, and a personalized General Studies option. Core courses run online in an accelerated seven-week format, and a minimum of 45 graduate credits ends in a final project or thesis set with an advisor.
The degree is open to licensed teachers and to working professionals outside K-12. Licensed teachers may add endorsements such as the Principal Administrative License, Reading Intervention, ESOL or Special Education through the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. SOU awarded 58 master's degrees in the latest federal count. Oregon residents pay $16,971 a year for 2023-24, and out-of-state students pay $19,779.
2
Portland State University
Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction
Portland, Oregon
68.9- Public
- No license involved
- Education, General
- Degrees awarded
- 127 a year
- Yearly cost
- $17,202
- In-state rate
- $17,202, 2023-24
- Out-of-state rate
- $24,693
Portland State University moves classmates through an Action Research capstone focused on district-specific problems of practice, and its Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction keeps a cohort together through the core coursework. The 45 credits can begin in any term, with a focus on Teacher Leadership, Equity and Anti-Racism, or a customized combination of both.
Educators already holding a teaching credential are the intended audience, since this is not an initial licensure program and does not replace the license issued by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredits the university. Portland State awarded 127 master's degrees in the latest federal count. Oregon residents pay $17,202 a year for 2023-24, and out-of-state students pay $24,693.
3
Western Oregon University
Master of Science in Education: Special Education
Monmouth, Oregon
65.0- Public
- Leads to a license
- Special Education and Teaching, General
- Degrees awarded
- 52 a year
- Yearly cost
- $18,585
- In-state rate
- $18,585, 2023-24
Monmouth's Western Oregon University admits its Master of Science in Education in Special Education cohort in fall term only, and candidates finish in 4 to 5 terms with a minimum of 45 credits. The degree includes a professional portfolio and field experience through school district partnerships across Oregon.
Two routes exist. The Special Educator I Endorsement is for those holding or eligible for an initial teaching license, and Special Educator II Licensure is for candidates without a teaching license. The degree fulfills requirements of the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, and graduates are eligible for initial teacher licensure with a Special Education PK-12 Generalist endorsement. WOU, a public university, awarded 52 master's degrees in the latest federal count and charges everyone $18,585 a year for 2023-24.
4
George Fox University
Master of Education (Principal License specialization)
Newberg, Oregon
46.2- Private nonprofit
- Leads to a license
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General
- Degrees awarded
- 14 a year
- Yearly cost
- $16,192
- In-state rate
- $16,192, 2023-24
George Fox University in Newberg offers a Master of Education whose Principal License specialization leads to an Oregon building-level administrator license from the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. Applicants need a minimum of three years of verifiable full-time classroom teaching experience.
Instead of a comprehensive exam, candidates finish with a Master's Thesis built around an action-research project. Other specializations are English for Speakers of Other Languages, Reading Interventionist and Special Education. AAQEP accredits the education programs, and George Fox is a private nonprofit school that awarded 14 master's degrees in the latest federal count. Tuition is $16,192 a year for 2023-24, with Oregon residents and out-of-state students charged the same rate.
5
Oregon State University
Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education
Corvallis, Oregon
46.2- Public
- No license involved
- Educational Administration and Supervision, Other
- Degrees awarded
- 13 a year
- Yearly cost
- $15,795
- In-state rate
- $15,795, 2023-24
- Out-of-state rate
- $31,698
Corvallis is home to Oregon State University, where the Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education runs two years, fully online, in partnership with OSU Ecampus. Graduates prepare for leadership roles at four-year universities and community colleges, not for K-12 posts.
The degree is not a K-12 licensure program, so it stands apart from the Preliminary Teaching License from the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. An Oregon professional in campus administration, advising or college teaching would draw on it. OSU, a public university, awarded 13 master's degrees in the latest federal count. Oregon residents pay $15,795 a year for 2023-24, and out-of-state students pay $31,698.
6
Corban University
Master of Science in Education
Salem, Oregon
45.1- Private nonprofit
- Leads to a license
- Education, General
- Degrees awarded
- 5 a year
- Yearly cost
- $9,488
- In-state rate
- $9,488, 2023-24
Corban University in Salem asks master's candidates to complete a research-based thesis in their final two semesters, and its Master of Science in Education is built on a faith-integrated, biblically grounded curriculum. Over 5 semesters and 30 to 36 credits, depending on the track, students choose Curriculum and Instruction, English for Speakers of Other Languages or Principal Licensure.
The Principal Licensure track has Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission approval and meets Oregon principal licensure requirements, and the ESOL track can lead to an ESOL endorsement. Licenses are issued through the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. Corban awarded 5 master's degrees in the latest federal count and charges $9,488 a year for 2023-24, the same for Oregon residents and everyone else.
7
Eastern Oregon University
Master of Science in Education
La Grande, Oregon
44.1- Public
- Leads to a license
- Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
- Degrees awarded
- 17 a year
- Yearly cost
- $18,749
- In-state rate
- $18,749, 2023-24
La Grande's Eastern Oregon University offers concentrations in its online Master of Science in Education: Career and Technical Education in a cohort model, Dyslexia, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Environmental Education, Literacy, Special Education, and Trauma in Educational Communities. The 36 credits can be finished in as little as 12 months, up to 12 graduate transfer credits are accepted, and Literacy adds a 90-hour classroom practicum.
The degree is not an initial licensure program. EOU can only recommend candidates for endorsements in Oregon, and the ESOL, Dyslexia, Special Education and Trauma concentrations require applicants to hold an Oregon teaching license from the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. EOU awarded 17 master's degrees in the latest federal count and charges everyone $18,749 a year for 2023-24.
8
Bushnell University
Master of Arts in Teaching
Eugene, Oregon
27.5- Private nonprofit
- Leads to a license
- Secondary Education and Teaching
- Degrees awarded
- 6 a year
- Yearly cost
- $17,460
- In-state rate
- $17,460, 2023-24
Bushnell University in Eugene admits a new cohort each summer to its Master of Arts in Teaching, a 36-credit degree that includes 240 hours of clinical practice and then 600 hours of full-time student teaching. A faith integration component runs through the coursework. Endorsement areas cover Integrated Science, Health, Basic Math, Advanced Math, Social Studies, World Language (Spanish), Language Arts and Multiple Subject Elementary, with specialty endorsements in ESOL, Physical Education, Special Education and Reading Interventionist.
Graduates are recommended for an Oregon Preliminary Teaching License at the elementary or secondary level through the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. AAQEP and NWCCU accreditation apply. Bushnell awarded 6 master's degrees in the latest federal count and charges $17,460 a year for 2023-24, the same for all students.
9
Pacific University
Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education
Forest Grove, Oregon
23.3- Private nonprofit
- Leads to a license
- Special Education and Teaching, Other
- Degrees awarded
- 15 a year
- Yearly cost
- $37,805
- In-state rate
- $37,805, 2023-24
Pacific University in Forest Grove builds its Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education around a locally placed student-teaching practicum, with mentor support from experienced special educators. The fully online degree takes 24 months and 45 credits, and specializations touch on technology in learning, reading intervention and dyslexia strategies, with additional endorsements available.
The degree is designed for candidates seeking Oregon licensure from the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, and it meets the educational requirements for special education teacher licensure. AAQEP accreditation applies, and the commission has approved the program. Pacific awarded 15 master's degrees in the latest federal count. It charges $37,805 a year for 2023-24, the same for Oregon residents and out-of-state students.
How We Rank
Every eligible program is scored out of 100. Each figure becomes a percentile against the 1771 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.
- In-state tuition and fees: 50%. The university's graduate in-state tuition plus required fees for a full-time year, 2023-24, the price a Oregon resident pays. Lower cost scores higher.
Reading the cards. The tuition figure is each school's in-state graduate rate for a full-time year, 2023-24, with its out-of-state rate beside it where the two differ.
Source: federal IPEDS records, read October 6, 2026. Tuition and fees are each school's graduate in-state rate for 2023-24. Scores are our own.
Which Online Master's Programs in Oregon Lead to a License?
5 ranked programs at schools in Oregon lead to a license, certificate or endorsement, scored the same way as the list above, one program per school. The Oregon teacher licensure guide covers what the state asks for beyond the degree.
| Rank | School | Program | Credential the school names | In-state rate, 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Oregon University | Education (MEd), MA or MS | Educator license | $16,971 |
| 2 | Western Oregon University | Master of Science in Education: Special Education | Educator license | $18,585 |
| 3 | George Fox University | Master of Education (Principal License specialization) | Educator license | $16,192 |
| 4 | Corban University | Master of Science in Education | Educator license | $9,488 |
| 5 | Eastern Oregon University | Master of Science in Education | Oregon endorsements (ESOL, Dyslexia, Special Education and others, EOU recommends) | $18,749 |
What Does an Online Master's in Education Cost in Oregon?
An online master's in education at a school in Oregon costs a resident from $9,488 to $37,805 a year in graduate tuition and fees across these 9 programs, with a median of $17,202, for 2023-24. These are full-time yearly charges at the in-state rate, and many universities bill online students per credit instead, so the program's own figure may differ.
Which Oregon Universities Offer Online Master's Programs in Education?
Oregon universities offering online master's programs in education are led by Southern Oregon University in Ashland, whose Master of Education, Master of Arts or Master of Science in Education leads to a credential, and Portland State University, whose curriculum and instruction master's serves current teachers.
Western Oregon University in Monmouth adds a Master of Science in Education with a special education focus, and Eastern Oregon University in La Grande a general Master of Science in Education. Oregon State University in Corvallis offers adult and higher education. The private schools are George Fox University, Corban University in Salem, Bushnell University and Pacific University in Forest Grove, and each has a license-oriented degree.
Which Oregon Online Master's Programs Lead to a First Teaching License?
Oregon online master's programs that lead to a first teaching license include Southern Oregon University, Western Oregon University, Corban University, Bushnell University and Pacific University, whose Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education is the clearest example of a degree built around a license. George Fox University's Principal License specialization serves school leaders.
The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission issues the Preliminary Teaching License to graduates of approved programs. Because the degree and the license come from the same state, the college files its completion report directly. The Oregon licensure guide has the steps for exams and out-of-state graduates.
Does an Oregon Master's Count Toward the Professional Teaching License?
An Oregon master's counts toward the Professional Teaching License only when the timing is right, since the license is optional and an advanced degree finished after the first non-provisional license is one of several ways to meet its advanced-program requirement. A degree earned before licensure does not count.
That is the practical meaning of the split on this list. A teacher who already holds the Preliminary license and chooses Portland State or Eastern Oregon is working toward the Professional license, while a career changer in an Oregon MAT is earning the first license and needs a second step later. Ask the commission, not the school, which of your credits qualify.
What Does Studying Online at an Oregon School Mean for Residents?
Studying online at an Oregon school means you pay Oregon's in-state price, which the cost section charts, and you complete student teaching in a school near your home, which in a state with long distances between campuses and towns can be far from the university. Ask the program who finds and supervises that placement.
Oregon joined NC-SARA through the western compact, but NC-SARA says it does not address licensing board approval. The commission relies on the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments and Praxis for content knowledge. Request the school's disclosure under 34 CFR 668.43 before you commit.
Questions About Online Master's in Education Programs in Oregon
What Is the Cheapest Online Master's in Education in Oregon?
How Are Online Master's in Education Programs in Oregon Ranked?
Which Oregon Online Master's Is Best for a Special Education License?
The Oregon list includes two special education degrees, Western Oregon University's Master of Science in Education: Special Education and Pacific University's Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education. Both lead to a credential, so ask each about endorsement and placements.
Can I Become an Oregon Principal Through George Fox University Online?
George Fox University's Master of Education with a Principal License specialization is built for Oregon administrator licensure. Oregon asks principals for a master's, a preparation program and licensed experience, so confirm your experience meets the commission's count before applying.
Is a General Oregon Master of Science in Education From Eastern Oregon University a License?
A general Master of Science in Education from Eastern Oregon University in La Grande is a graduate degree rather than a first license. It leads to Oregon endorsements such as ESOL, dyslexia and special education, as the university recommends, so it suits a teacher who already holds an Oregon license and wants advanced study, possibly toward the Professional license.
Does Oregon State's Adult and Higher Education Master's Lead to a Teaching License?
Oregon State University's Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education does not lead to a teaching license. It suits advising, training and college administration roles more than a K-12 classroom.
Which Oregon Agency Decides if My Degree Qualifies?
The agency that decides whether your degree qualifies is the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, which publishes testing and license guidance. A university recommends you, but only the commission issues the license.
Where Do the Figures for Oregon Come From?
Tuition and degree counts come from federal records each college reports about itself.
Show the federal record for all 9 colleges ranked, in 1 state
Southern Oregon University Portland State University Western Oregon University George Fox University Oregon State University Corban University Eastern Oregon University Bushnell University Pacific University