Most Affordable Online Master's Programs

Master's programs are advanced degrees that allow students to focus solely on their field of study and gain skills and knowledge targeted for specific careers. Master's degrees usually include 30-40 credits, but some programs require as many as 60 credits, depending on the degree. Most master's programs take 2 years to complete, but this also depends on if students enroll full- or part-time.

You'll need to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university to enroll in a master's program, and many graduate schools require at least a 3.0 GPA, although some schools only ask that you earned a 2.5 or 2.75 GPA during your undergraduate studies. If you choose a master's program in a field similar to your bachelor's degree, you'll likely meet most course prerequisites. For students seeking a degree in a new field, there may be additional coursework requirements you'll need to complete prior to enrollment.

Some master's programs require applicants to submit standardized test scores along with their application. The most common ones are the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Although it's fairly common for one of these tests to be required, there are online options that do not require standardized testing in the application process.

Today's graduate students have access to thousands of online master's degree programs offered by accredited and respected universities across the country. Whether you're looking for a master's degree in computer science or social work, there are many more options available to you due to the rapid growth of online degrees.

An analysis published by the Urban Institute in 2018 found that master's degree programs have become more popular, serve a more diverse student body, and are increasingly available in an online format than they were in the past. The institute also found that online degrees are more popular with graduate students than with students earning their bachelor's degrees. Further, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), more than 40% of graduate students took at least some online courses in the 2019-2020 school year, with nearly 33% enrolled exclusively in online courses.

"Online education may be particularly well suited for those who would enroll in master’s programs," wrote Kristin Blagg of the Urban Institute in her analysis, as master's students "tend to be proactive and self-directed learners."

Many online master's degrees are geared toward working adults, offering flexible schedules and a quicker path to completion. Coursework in online master's degree programs is typically similar if not identical to campus-based programs. Prerequisites for online degrees are also similar to that of in-person programs.

When choosing an online program, it's important to note that there are a few major differences between online options. One of the most significant differences is between nonprofit and for-profit schools. Nonprofit schools are generally seen as the better option, as there is a long history of predatory practices and evidence for poor student outcomes at for-profit schools overall. However, this is not always true. There are for-profit colleges that offer quality degree programs and have good reputations. It's best to do some research if you're considering a for-profit institution to ensure you'll have the support you need.

Many people are concerned their online degree won't be taken seriously or will be seen as a low-quality alternative to a traditional degree. This stigma has roots in a history wherein low-quality for-profit colleges and diploma mills had a significant foothold in online education. However, online learning has grown rapidly in the past decade, and even the most prestigious universities like Harvard University and Dartmouth College offer online master's degrees today.

Online degrees are much more widely respected now than they were in the past, and the switch to online learning during COVID-19 will likely accelerate this shift in public perception. Today's online students take the same classes and earn the same degree as their on-campus counterparts. Many schools offer both online and in-person programs, and the degree earned looks exactly the same regardless of what delivery method students choose. Most employers won't know your degree was earned online if you don't disclose that information.

What matters most when choosing a degree that will be respected is whether or not a school is accredited, the reputation of the school itself, and the quality of the program. If you earn a degree from an accredited institution, your credential will be equally valid if it was earned online or in person. Earning a degree or diploma from an accredited institution is typically necessary to getting licensed or certified in fields that require licensure, transferring credits to another institution, applying to a master's or doctoral program, and seeking employment that requires a degree. Your education likely will not be very useful to you if you attend a school that isn't accredited.

If you're still concerned employers won't respect your online master's degree, here are some things you can keep in mind when choosing a program:

• Accreditation is a universal mark of academic quality and is often seen as the benchmark for whether or not a degree is seen as legitimate.
• Earning an online degree from a school that also has a physical campus means employers won't know your degree was earned online. Many well-known schools offer online degrees in addition to campus-based programs.
• Nonprofit colleges and universities are often held in higher esteem than for-profit colleges. This is not an overall rule, as there are some for-profit schools that offer quality programs. For example, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) earned her Ph.D. in human services online from for-profit Capella University in 2015.
• You'll likely have an opportunity to discuss your motivations for enrolling online when interviewing for a job. The ability to balance school on top of work and other responsibilities is typically seen as an asset by employers, and you'll be able to explain why online education was the best choice for you.

There are many benefits to earning a master's degree. The advanced credential can open up new job opportunities, help you make a career change, qualify you for certification or licensure in your field, and help you earn a higher salary. However, it is a significant financial investment and takes hard work, dedication, and time to achieve. Many people struggle with the decision to enroll in a campus-based master's program because it often means they have to take time off work and either move to a new city to pursue their chosen program or be limited to the options available in their area.

Graduate students are more likely to choose an online degree, in part because they often have specific professional goals and can clearly identify how their master's degree will help them achieve those goals. The growth of online learning has opened up many opportunities for graduate students – it's now much easier to find an online degree you can fit in around your work schedule, and you can enroll in the program you really want without uprooting and moving to a new city. These added benefits that come with online learning might make it more worth it for students who are on the fence about enrolling.

Here are some other things to consider when weighing your options for graduate school:

The cost of a master's degree varies depending on what type of degree you earn, how long your program is, what school you attend, whether you live in-state or out-of-state, and other factors. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average graduate school tuition and fees schools range from $12,000 for in-state students at public schools to $27,350 for students at private nonprofit colleges. However, total costs for a master's program at the most prestigious schools can be more than $200,000.

While keeping these numbers in mind might be helpful, you should note that the NCES does not provide online-specific tuition data, so the cost of your online program may be significantly different from these numbers. In addition, NCES uses a single tuition rate for all master's programs, but the cost per credit can vary significantly across programs. For example, take our #3 best affordable school for a master's degree. At Georgia Institute of Technology, cost per credit varies from $180 for a computer science program to $1,100 for an aerospace engineering degree. While we also publish a broad list of master's degrees that uses a single tuition, we have pages for 80 individual master's subjects that use tuition rates for that specific subject.

Generally speaking, whether or not an online master's degree will be cheaper than an on-campus program will depend on what options you have available to you in your local area. Given how many affordable master's programs are available online, it's highly likely that there is an online option that will cost less than campus-based programs near you.

Of the schools we researched in order to rank the most affordable online master's degrees, the median annual tuition rate is $10,448 at public colleges and $11,475 at private universities. Eastern Illinois University, the top-ranked most affordable school for online master's degrees, has an annual tuition of $3,438 and California State University-Dominguez Hills, the #1 best affordable school, has an annual tuition rate of $7,176.

Online graduate students can often avoid paying many campus-based fees, such as activity and recreation fees. However, there may be distance education or technology fees that online students incur instead.

It's also important to note that the cost of your online education will depend on whether or not you qualify for grants, scholarships, and other funding sources. While it can be more difficult for graduate students to get financial aid to help cover the cost of their education, there are many grants and scholarships available to graduate students who take the time to apply for them.

While some master's degrees are always in high demand, others may become more sought after by employers as they look for candidates to fill positions in the country's fastest-growing occupations over the next decade. The following is a list of in-demand master's degrees based on positions projected to grow rapidly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2019-2029.