What’s a master’s in reading and literacy?

Online reading master's programs help future educators develop the ability to teach reading, prevent failure in literacy programs, and identify reading issues among students. Graduate students will learn essential skills through courses including foundations of literacy, roles of literacy leaders, and literacy assessment.

What can I do with a master’s in reading and literacy?

Master’s degree in reading and literacy can help you prepare for K-12 teaching roles or other positions related to education. Other career paths can include postsecondary education, working with government agencies, private tutoring, or instructional coordination.

How much money can I make with a master’s in reading and literacy?

The average salary with a master's in reading and literacy is $55,000, but you can make up to $117,000 depending on role, location, and years of experience according to Payscale data from April 2024. A reading specialist — a popular job for reading and literacy grads — makes between $42,000-$80,000 on average. Other potential jobs and their BLS-reported median annual salaries include instructional coordinators ($74,720), postsecondary teachers ($83,980), and training and development specialists ($65,850).

Best Online Master’s in Reading and Literacy Programs of 2025

Explore the best online master’s in reading and literacy programs, what education jobs you can get after graduation, and how much money you can make.

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Updated April 22, 2025

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Online reading programs discuss theory and practical methods for teaching reading to students in kindergarten through grade 12. You will spend time understanding how students learn to read, solutions for students that have difficulty reading, and how social aspects can cause difficulty learning.

You can pursue multiple career paths after graduation, including teacher, policy-maker, and curriculum developer. This page discusses the best online master’s programs, program benefits, and common career paths for graduates.

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In this Article

Best Online Master’s in Reading and Literacy Programs

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

How We Rank Schools

To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.

To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:

Affordability (30%)
Student outcomes (30%)
Reputation (20%)
Diversity and social mobility (20%)

In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.

Clemson University

Clemson, SC4 yearCampus + Online

$10,858

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$22,566

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

38%

Acceptance Rate

44%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$14,118

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,982

Retention Rate

93%

Students Enrolled

28,747

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,858

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,566

Clemson University

Clemson, SC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,858

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,566

Acceptance Rate

38%

Online Enrollment

44%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$14,118

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,982

Retention Rate

93%

Students Enrolled

28,747

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of Georgia

Athens, GA4 yearCampus + Online

$8,878

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,186

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

37%

Acceptance Rate

20%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,790

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,830

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

41,615

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,878

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,186

University of Georgia

Athens, GA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,878

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,186

Acceptance Rate

37%

Online Enrollment

20%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,790

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,830

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

41,615

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$10,770

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,335

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

24%

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,477

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,694

Retention Rate

97%

Students Enrolled

54,814

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,770

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,335

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,770

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,335

Acceptance Rate

24%

Online Enrollment

57%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,477

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,694

Retention Rate

97%

Students Enrolled

54,814

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,337

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,482

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

80%

Acceptance Rate

56%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,474

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

30,298

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,337

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,482

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,337

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,482

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment

56%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,474

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

30,298

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$18,504

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,504

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

86%

Acceptance Rate

43%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$49,410

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$49,410

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

7,201

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,504

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,504

Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,504

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,504

Acceptance Rate

86%

Online Enrollment

43%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$49,410

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$49,410

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

7,201

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$8,350

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$19,048

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

41%

Acceptance Rate

67%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,647

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,963

Retention Rate

92%

Students Enrolled

48,566

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,350

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,048

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,350

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,048

Acceptance Rate

41%

Online Enrollment

67%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,647

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,963

Retention Rate

92%

Students Enrolled

48,566

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

SUNY Oneonta

Oneonta, NY4 yearCampus + Online

$11,310

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

70%

Acceptance Rate

22%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,490

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

5,457

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,310

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,100

SUNY Oneonta

Oneonta, NY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,310

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,100

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

22%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,490

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

5,457

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY4 yearCampus + Online

$11,310

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

70%

Acceptance Rate

40%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,660

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

16,880

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,310

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,100

SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,310

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,100

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

40%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,660

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

16,880

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,898

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

90%

Acceptance Rate

72%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

26,785

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,898

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,898

Acceptance Rate

90%

Online Enrollment

72%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

26,785

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#10

Endicott College

Beverly, MA4 yearCampus + Online

$13,084

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,084

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

73%

Acceptance Rate

40%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$36,926

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,926

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

4,381

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,084

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,084

Endicott College

Beverly, MA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,084

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,084

Acceptance Rate

73%

Online Enrollment

40%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$36,926

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,926

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

4,381

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Why Should You Get a Master’s in Reading and Literacy Degree?

A master’s degree in reading and literacy can greatly boost your education career. You’ll unlock new career opportunities, make a bigger impact on students’ lives, and possibly earn a higher salary.

“The degree allows someone to become a reading teacher, reading specialist, and literacy coach. Administrators with a degree in literacy and reading are able to use their knowledge to help their school succeed in reading as well.”

— Kathryn Starke, Master’s in Literacy

Benefits of a Master’s in Reading and Literacy

Choose a career you love: From reading specialist to instructional coordinator, a master’s in reading and literacy can lead to new careers that match your interests and use your expertise.
Increase your earning potential: You’re more likely to make a better salary with a master’s degree than somebody with less education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), teachers make about 16% more per year with a master’s degree.
Make an impact on students: Reading and literacy skills last a lifetime. You can be the person who makes a difference in students’ lives by teaching them essential skills that last for years to come.

3 Reasons for Getting Your Master’s Online

Better school-life balance: Most online programs allow you to choose when and where you want to learn. This flexibility gives you more room to decide how to fit all of your responsibilities into your day.
Work while you learn: Not needing to meet in person or stick to a regular schedule gives you room to keep working while you earn your degree. After you clock out for the day, you can squeeze in an online lesson or two from home.
Study at your own pace: Many online programs have self-paced elements, meaning you might be able to squeeze in some lectures or assignments on a less rigid timeframe. However, even online courses have deadlines to abide by.

What Should I Know About a Master’s in Reading and Literacy Degree?

Master’s degrees in reading and literacy programs differ in price, length, and available concentrations. These variables can be important, as they can impact your future debt and career paths.

Prepare for your future by understanding the difference in literacy programs, identifying potential courses and concentrations, and ensuring your prospective school can fulfill your needs.

Cost of Online Master’s in Reading and Literacy programs

According to the NCES, the average tuition price for an online master’s program in the education field costs around $7,912 annually.

You can apply for financial aid to help pay for tuition and fees. Financial aid can include grants, scholarships, or loans. You can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to start applying for financial aid.

Average Annual Cost of a Master’s Degree:

Public Institution | 2021-2022

$12,596

Private Institution | 2021-2022

$28,017

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Concentration for Your Reading and Literacy Master’s Degree

If you’re interested in a specific topic within your reading and literacy master’s degree, you can choose a concentration. In your concentration, you’ll focus your knowledge on niche reading and literacy areas.

Concentrations vary by program, but common options include:

Early literacy
English as a second language (ESL)
Adult literacy
Curriculum development
Literacy coaching

Master’s in Reading and Literacy Career Outlook

Many graduates of master’s in reading programs become teachers, including elementary school, highschool, and special education teachers.

Professionals with a specialty in reading programs can also use their skill set in government, postsecondary education, consulting, or educational back office settings.

Career salaries can vary greatly, with a median salary of $62,340 for elementary school teachers and a median salary of $103,960 for education administrators, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Reading and Literacy Career Paths

Reading and Literacy Specialist
Instructional Coordinator
High School Teacher
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teacher
ESL Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Education Administrator
Reading Coach
Adjunct faculty (instructors, lecturers)

Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s in Reading and Literacy Programs

If you have a passion for teaching and reading, then a master’s in reading and literacy may be worth pursuing. Graduates from a literacy program may be better equipped to handle diagnosing and solving issues related to reading.