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SFA receives national, state rankings for online education, affordability

Best Colleges Online badges

Stephen F. Austin State University has received rankings on the national and state levels for its online education and affordable programs. Best Colleges Online ranked SFA fourth for the most affordable online master’s degree in educational leadership, and Affordable Colleges Online ranked SFA as the 14th best online college. Top Management Degrees ranked SFA’s Master of Business Administration program among the most-affordable programs in the nation.


NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University has received rankings on the national and state levels for its online education and affordable programs.

Nationally, Best Colleges Online ranked SFA fourth for the most affordable online master’s degree in educational leadership. Best Colleges Online “provides expert insights into the best-accredited online universities across the United States,” according to bestcollegesonline.org.

“Our master’s degree program in educational leadership continues to grow and develop, and it is an honor to receive recognition at the national level,” said Dr. Barbara Qualls, assistant professor of secondary education and educational leadership and program coordinator at SFA.

Website editors considered “the most reputable graduate online master’s in educational administration, educational leadership and closely related programs from accredited colleges and universities with a graduate tuition price under $21,000 per year.”

SFA's nationally accredited program within the James I. Perkins College of Education offers a 30-hour master's degree in educational leadership and an 18-hour principal certification. The program is administered entirely online through Desire to Learn, the university's online course-delivery system. The program utilizes a scholar-practitioner approach incorporating theory and practice-based learning that focuses on research-based practices, curriculum and instructional leadership.

At the state level, Affordable Colleges Online ranked SFA as the 14th best online college. Affordable Colleges Online is a website that offers “in-depth resources that address topics, questions and concerns related to higher education with an eye on affordability and accreditation.”

SFA offers more than 20 online degree programs both at the undergraduate and graduate levels that are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Top Management Degrees, an online guide to the best management degree programs, ranked SFA’s Master of Business Administration program among its most affordable programs in the nation.

“The Rusche College of Business works very hard to deliver the highest quality program to our students,” said Dr. Mitch Crocker, director of the M.B.A. program at SFA. “We are pleased to be recognized as one of the more affordable programs.”

The M.B.A. is offered through SFA’s Rusche College of Business, and coursework can be customized to fit the student’s educational background, interests and goals. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredits the program.