A regionally accredited distance learning masters in management can cost as little as $4,709 (Western Carolina University for North Carolina residents seeking a Masters in Project Management) or as much as over $51,000 (Carnegie Mellon University - Masters Management Information Systems) according to GetEducated.com's survey of 63 regionally accredited universities which offer 127 online masters degrees in management.

How much should managers expect to pay for an online masters? The average cost of a distance masters degree in management is just under $21, 000 according to GetEducated.com's national survey of online education.

Consumers can avoid the most expensive online education and locate the least expensive and most affordable online degrees by searching GetEducated's natiional affordability rankings of online universities,

Vicky Phillips, GetEducated's founder, points to the University of South Dakota's multiple online masters in administrative studies, ranked #10 at just over $10,000, as an example of the budget deals available to consumers if they take the time to compare online education masters.

"The cost of a University of South Dakota online degree is half that of the national average. Who wouldn't consider a solid state funded school for management education if it meant saving $10,000 on their education bill in these tough economic times?"

South Dakota offers several online masters in administrative studies in hot management careers ranging from health services administration to organizational leadership to financial management.