* Your program: Master's degrees in education are generally cheaper than MDs or MBAs. Specific program costs within a school vary widely.
* Your residency: In-state tuition is significantly cheaper than out-of-state tuition.
* Funding: Many graduate programs offer financial aid, assistantships (teaching or research), fellowships, and scholarships that drastically reduce the cost. Your ability to secure funding will heavily impact your overall expense.
* Living expenses: The cost of living in the area surrounding the school will influence your overall budget. A program in a rural area will be less expensive to live near than one in a major city.
To find the cheapest option *for you*, you need to consider:
1. Your field of study: Identify programs in your field.
2. Your residency: Focus on schools in your state or those with lower out-of-state tuition rates.
3. Research financial aid: Check each program's website for information on financial aid opportunities, including assistantships and scholarships. This is crucial!
4. Consider public vs. private: Public universities are typically cheaper than private ones, though this isn't always the case.
Websites like Peterson's, US News & World Report, and individual university websites are good resources to research program costs and financial aid opportunities. Don't rely solely on advertised tuition; factor in all expenses and potential funding.