Most Affordable Online Master’s Programs of 2025
Want to save money on your graduate degree? Check out our rankings of the best and most affordable online master’s programs.At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.
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At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.
The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
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According to our research, 29% of online master’s students and graduates say they wish they’d done more research about cost and financial aid before enrolling in an online program — many graduate degrees carry hefty price tags, and these costs are rising.
Fortunately, you can earn an affordable master’s degree online without sacrificing quality.
We’ve found cheap online programs that can make graduate school more accessible for many students. These programs deliver quality education, as well as the flexibility to learn from anywhere.
Here are our picks for the best — and cheapest — online master’s programs.
Key Benefits of Online Master’s Programs
- 97% of online master’s students and graduates say they would recommend online education to others.
- Nearly 4 in 5 online master’s students and graduates say an online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.
- 97% of online master’s students and graduates say they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
Featured Online Master’s Programs
Cheapest Online Master’s Programs of 2025
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$10,770
$27,335
24%
57%
$4,477
$25,694
97%
54,814
Public
Yes
$10,770
$27,335
Gainesville, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$10,770
$27,335
24%
57%
$4,477
$25,694
97%
54,814
Public
Yes
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC4 yearCampus + Online
$10,552
$28,844
19%
25%
$7,020
$37,360
97%
32,496
Public
Yes
$10,552
$28,844
Chapel Hill, NC4 yearCampus + Online
$10,552
$28,844
19%
25%
$7,020
$37,360
97%
32,496
Public
Yes
Florida International University
Miami, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$911
$2,003
59%
67%
$6,168
$18,566
92%
54,085
Public
Yes
$911
$2,003
Miami, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$911
$2,003
59%
67%
$6,168
$18,566
92%
54,085
Public
Yes
University of Washington
Seattle, WA4 yearCampus + Online
$17,004
$30,477
43%
19%
$12,643
$39,687
95%
55,230
Public
Yes
$17,004
$30,477
Seattle, WA4 yearCampus + Online
$17,004
$30,477
43%
19%
$12,643
$39,687
95%
55,230
Public
Yes
California State University, Northridge
Northridge, CA4 yearCampus + Online
$7,176
$16,680
92%
58%
$5,742
$17,622
74%
40,564
Public
Yes
$7,176
$16,680
Northridge, CA4 yearCampus + Online
$7,176
$16,680
92%
58%
$5,742
$17,622
74%
40,564
Public
Yes
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN4 yearCampus + Online
$9,718
$28,520
50%
35%
$9,208
$28,010
91%
52,211
Public
Yes
$9,718
$28,520
West Lafayette, IN4 yearCampus + Online
$9,718
$28,520
50%
35%
$9,208
$28,010
91%
52,211
Public
Yes
University of Georgia
Athens, GA4 yearCampus + Online
$8,878
$25,186
37%
20%
$9,790
$28,830
95%
41,615
Public
Yes
$8,878
$25,186
Athens, GA4 yearCampus + Online
$8,878
$25,186
37%
20%
$9,790
$28,830
95%
41,615
Public
Yes
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$6,471
$13,815
84%
81%
$6,228
$16,020
59%
16,914
Public
Yes
$6,471
$13,815
Beaumont, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$6,471
$13,815
84%
81%
$6,228
$16,020
59%
16,914
Public
Yes
University of Missouri-St Louis
Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online
$13,154
$32,294
57%
42%
$13,440
$33,432
68%
14,815
Public
Yes
$13,154
$32,294
Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online
$13,154
$32,294
57%
42%
$13,440
$33,432
68%
14,815
Public
Yes
University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, IL4 yearCampus + Online
$8,858
$16,408
84%
83%
$9,645
$19,410
81%
4,661
Public
Yes
$8,858
$16,408
Springfield, IL4 yearCampus + Online
$8,858
$16,408
84%
83%
$9,645
$19,410
81%
4,661
Public
Yes
How Much Does an Online Master’s Degree Cost?
Cost of Online Master’s Degrees
Public Colleges
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$8,347
Avg. Net Price
$6,635
Private Nonprofit Colleges
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$12,896
Avg. Net Price
$10,734
Source: NCES Powerstats
Note: Data from 2019-2020
It’s no secret that even cheap online master’s degrees can still cost a pretty penny. This is why it’s so important to research the costs of online master’s programs.
According to NCES, online master’s students paid an average of just over $10,000 in tuition and fees in 2019-2020.
Private schools tend to cost more than public schools. So if you want to save money, consider choosing an online master’s program offered by a public college or university.
In 2020, the average tuition and fees for online master’s programs at public colleges was just over $8,000, according to NCES. At private nonprofit colleges, this rate was nearly $13,000.
While not always cheap, earning an online master’s degree can save you money compared to enrolling in an in-person program. How? You’ll likely be able to save on things like campus fees and transportation.
Still, make sure you have a plan in place for how you’re going to fund your online education.
How to Make Cheap Online Master’s Programs Even Cheaper
Even students enrolled in the cheapest online master’s programs often need financial assistance.
“Many students graduate with student debt,” says Melissa A. Venable, Ph.D., an online education expert and instructional designer. “Estimating your financial return on the investment in higher education includes finding out how much you can expect to earn as a new graduate.”
Here are some of the best ways to save money on your online master’s degree.
Scholarships and Grants
Grants and scholarships are free money for college. Grants are usually awarded based on financial need, whereas scholarships tend to be awarded based on academic excellence and other factors.
You do not need to repay grants or scholarships, and these rewards can be renewable. Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help you qualify for federal and institutional grants.
Loans
College loans can be federal or private. Unlike scholarships and grants, loans must be paid back, usually with interest. Federal loans tend to have lower interest rates than private loans.
Fellowships
Fellowship programs offer graduate students a stipend in return for work or research. Some fellowships also offer health insurance. These programs provide high-achieving students with professional development, funding, and relevant career experience.
You can search online to find virtual or remote fellowships for online master’s students.
Employer Tuition Assistance
Your employer may provide tuition assistance to help you earn a master’s degree.
Some companies offer tuition reimbursement, in which case you pay any educational costs upfront and your employer later reimburses you. Other employers offer tuition assistance programs, meaning they pay for a portion of your tuition upfront.
How to Choose the Best Online Master’s Program for You
As you begin your online master’s journey, consider the following factors when deciding whether a program is right for you.
Pursue Your Interests and Career Goals
When choosing an online master’s program, it’s important to consider your interests, skills, and professional goals.
“Begin by identifying your goals for pursuing higher education,” recommends Melissa. “You may need a degree to be more competitive for a promotion in your current workplace or industry. Or maybe you are exploring a career change into a completely new field.”
Whatever your reasons for going back to school to earn an online master’s degree, make sure the programs you apply to align with your interests and career goals. That way, you’re more likely to complete the program — and enjoy your coursework.
Popular Affordable Online Master’s Degrees
Gather Your Application Materials
While exact requirements vary by school, common documents you may need to submit when applying to online master’s programs include:
- Letters of recommendation
- A resume or CV
- Undergraduate transcripts, often with a minimum 2.75-3.0 GPA
- Standardized test scores from the GRE, GMAT, or another exam
- A personal statement
Keep in mind that some master’s programs do not require standardized test results. Many also offer application fee waivers for students who demonstrate financial need.
Give yourself several weeks before your application deadlines to collect your application materials. This will make the process less stressful and help increase your chances of success.
Know Your Program’s Length
As you explore online master’s programs, consider the time commitment.
According to our research, 28% of online master’s students and graduates say they wish they’d known more about how long their program would take to complete.
Many online master’s programs last 2-3 years, though your exact completion time will vary. If you’re a part-time student, for example, you’ll spend more time in your program.
Additionally, not all master’s programs have the same credit requirements. Most master’s programs require 36-48 credits, though some programs may require more — up to 72 credits.
You can shorten your time in school by transferring credits if you have them or by enrolling in an accelerated online master’s program.
Apply to Accredited Master’s Programs
Online college accreditation means a school meets certain academic standards, awards recognized credentials, and meets requirements for awarding federal financial aid.
Always look for an institutionally accredited college — ideally a regionally accredited school.
If you plan to earn your master’s in a professional field, like nursing or social work, programmatic accreditation may also be required for licensure. Be sure to check schools’ and programs’ accreditation statuses before you apply.
“Online schools follow the same accreditation process and are accredited by many of the same agencies that review traditional schools.”
Most In-Demand Online Master’s Degrees
Pursuing a master’s degree in an in-demand field can lead to a well-paying career with high growth potential.
“Employers by and large are looking for new hires with relevant workplace skills,” says Melissa. “They want to bring in candidates who can hit the ground running and quickly become productive members of the team.”
Roles like nurse practitioner and physician assistant are among the fastest-growing jobs that require a master’s degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nurse practitioners have a projected job growth rate of 46% from 2023-2023 — much faster than the average for all jobs.
Mathematicians, occupational therapists, and genetic counselors also earn solid wages and boast high projected growth rates in the coming years.
Job | Duties | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) | Projected Job Growth Rate (2023-2033) |
---|---|---|---|
Nurse Practitioners | Examine patients, diagnose conditions, create treatment plans, prescribe medications, and interpret lab results. | $126,260 | 46% |
Physician Assistants | Support healthcare teams by providing patient examinations, prescribing medications, and treating injuries. | $130,020 | 28% |
Computer and Information Research Scientists | Develop new computing languages and create and test algorithms to solve computing problems. | $145,080 | 26% |
Epidemiologists | Study how diseases spread and affect various populations. | $81,390 | 19% |
Speech-Language Pathologists | Help people manage and overcome communication disorders. | $89,290 | 18% |
Genetic Counselors | Help people understand their genetic health risks and inherited conditions. | $95,770 | 16% |
Marriage and Family Therapists | Work with couples and families to resolve behavioral challenges and emotional distress. | $58,510 | 16% |
Orthotists and Prosthetists | Measure and fit artificial limbs and other medical devices for patients with disabilities. | $78,100 | 15% |
Mathematicians and Statisticians | Use math and statistical analysis expertise to solve problems for organizations. | $104,860 | 11% |
Occupational Therapists | Assess patients, develop treatment plans, and teach exercises and techniques to promote recovery and well-being. | $96,370 | 11% |
Source: BLS
Is Getting an Online Master’s Degree Worth It?
While you should take time to determine the value of an affordable online master’s degree, several factors can help you make a decision.
For one, graduate degrees can lead to better-paying jobs and more advancement opportunities.
According to the BLS, the median salary for a master’s degree-holder in 2023 was over $240 more per week compared to someone with only a bachelor’s. Depending on your field, this “master’s increase” could be even higher.
Sources: Median wages for all occupations (BLS), average starting salaries by academic program (National Association of Colleges and Employers)
When weighing the pros and cons of online versus on-campus programs — or simply deciding whether you should pursue a master’s degree at all — consider factors like time, cost, and return on investment (ROI).
Fortunately, 97% of online master’s students and graduates in our survey say they would recommend online education to others. That same percentage say they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive ROI for them.
“Earning a degree online can be worth it if you enroll in a program that will help you reach your goals while minimizing debt,” says Melissa.
So make sure you consider all factors and potential barriers — and choose the best option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cheapest Online Master’s Programs
While rare, you may be able to find tuition-free master’s programs at certain schools. These options typically require work or military service in return for tuition waivers. Some schools may offer tuition waivers for in-state residents or students in specific fields with demonstrated financial need.
Remember, too, that you can help make your online master’s degree cheaper — or even free — by applying for financial aid, especially grants and scholarships.
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