Best and Affordable Online Master of Education Programs in North Carolina
This page provides details about the best and most affordable online Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs available in North Carolina. There are 20 not-for-profit North Carolina schools that have M.Ed. programs in online and hybrid formats. These programs are primarily designed for licensed educators, although some schools offer online M.Ed. options for initial licensure. An M.Ed. can help you add certifications to an existing license, deepen your expertise in a particular subject or teaching area, or earn specialist credentials like school administrator. Discover our rankings of the best and most affordable online M.Ed. programs in North Carolina below.
Table of Contents
- 20 Best Online M.Ed. Programs in North Carolina
- 9 Most Affordable Online M.Ed. Programs
- M.Ed. Job Titles
20 Best Online M.Ed. Programs in North Carolina
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 North Carolina 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 Name | Rank | Accreditation1,2* | M.Ed. Program Types** | Program Format | US News National Rank3 | US News Graduate Education Rank4 | Tuition Per Credit Hour*** | Credit Hours Req’d |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | #1 | CAEP | C&I, Content Area | Online | #216 tie | #86 tie | $448 | 30-36 |
| Western Carolina University | #2 | CAEP | C&I, Content Area | Online | #227 tie | #148 tie | $552 | 30-33 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | #3 | CAEP | Administration, C&I, Content Area, Reading | Hybrid, Online | #178 tie | #71 tie | $653 | 30-33 |
| North Carolina State University | #4 | CAEP | C&I, Content Area, Counseling | Hybrid, Online | #60 tie | #30 tie | $1,080 | 30-60 |
| Wingate University | #5 | — | Administration, C&I | Online | #376 tie | — | $440 | 30-37 |
| East Carolina University | #6 | CAEP | Administration, C&I, Content Area, Reading, Teacher Prep | Hybrid, Online | #201 tie | #122 tie | $629 | 30-36 |
| North Carolina A & T State University | #7 | CAEP | Reading | Online | #280 tie | — | $554 | 30 |
| Queens University of Charlotte | #8 | CAEP | C&I, Content Area, Reading | Hybrid | — | — | $550 | 33 |
| Meredith College | #9 | AAQEP | C&I, Content Area, Reading | Hybrid | — | — | $575 | 33-36 |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | #10 | CAEP | Administration, C&I, Content Area, Reading | Online | — | #194 tie | $698 | 30-36 |
| Elon University | #11 | — | C&I | Online | #133 tie | — | $538 | 30 |
| Greensboro College | #12 | — | C&I | Online | — | — | $377 | 30 |
| Campbell University | #13 | AAQEP | Content Area | Online | #320 tie | — | $575 | 33 |
| Carolina University | #14 | — | Administration, C&I | Online | — | — | $600 | 30 |
| Methodist University | #15 | — | Administration, C&I | Online | — | — | $545 | 36 |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | #16 | CAEP | C&I, Reading | Online | — | — | $601 | 36 |
| University of Mount Olive | #17 | — | Administration | Online | — | — | $610 | 30 |
| Elizabeth City State University | #18 | — | C&I, Teacher Prep | Online | — | — | $550 | 37-40 |
| Salem College | #19 | — | Administration, Counseling | Online | — | — | $525 | 39-48 |
| St. Andrews University | #20 | — | C&I | Online | — | — | $583 | 36 |
*See table notes at bottom of page.
9 Most Affordable Online Master of Education Programs in North Carolina
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.
- Greensboro College ($11,310)
- Wingate University ($13,200-$16,280)
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro ($13,440-$16,128)
- Elon University ($16,140)
- Western Carolina University ($16,560)
- North Carolina A & T State University ($16,620)
- Carolina University ($18,000)
- Queens University of Charlotte ($18,150)
- University of Mount Olive ($18,300)
Possible Job Titles With an M.Ed.
- Academic Advisor
- Curriculum Director
- Curriculum and Instruction Specialist
- Dean
- District Administrator
- Education Analyst/Consultant/Coordinator/Researcher
- Educational Technology Specialist
- Instructional Coordinator, Designer, or Director
- Lead Teacher/Teacher Leader/Master Teacher
- Principal
- Reading Specialist
- School Administrator
- School Counselor
- Vice Principal
Related Articles
- North Carolina Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- North Carolina Education Schools
- Curriculum and Instruction Degree Programs
- Education Administration Degree Programs
- Master’s in Education Programs
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://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings