2020 Most Affordable Online Colleges Offering Master's Degrees

Founded in 1885, Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university and part of the University System of Georgia. It has satellite campuses in France, Ireland, China, and Singapore. Nineteen fully online master's degree programs are offered. Popular degrees include aerospace engineering, analytics, cybersecurity, mechanical engineering, and medical physics. The university’s SmarterMeasure Learning Readiness Indicator is an online tool that helps prospective students determine if distance learning is a good option for them. Georgia Tech’s online degree programs cost less than the on-campus programs. In addition, students may be eligible for a variety of financial aid.   
 

Located on the grounds of Fort Hays, a frontier military outpost that was closed in 1889, Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, was established in 1904 to serve the needs of early settlers to the region. Today, the institution’s diverse online program includes over 50 master’s degrees, and several are available with multiple concentrations. Popular degrees include business administration (13 concentrations are available), gifted education, history, and nursing. Tuition at FHSU, among the lowest in the U.S., is both competitive and affordable, and financial aid is available. Transfer students are welcome, and a guide to online learning — available on the university’s website — has been specially prepared for online students.

Old Dominion University is a public research university in Norfolk, Virginia. Established in 1930, it is one of the largest universities in Virginia with an enrollment of more than 24,000 students. ODU’s strong distance learning program includes over 40 online master’s degree programs. Popular subjects include aerospace engineering, cybersecurity, dental hygiene, English, library & information studies, modeling & simulation, nursing, and sport management. Student services at ODU include academic support, 24/7 tech support, free software — including Microsoft Office 365 — career development services, and a student success center. Academic advisors and coaches are available to assist students throughout their educational experience at ODU. Tuition at the university is affordable, and financial aid is available.

Strayer University is a private, for-profit university with 76 campuses spread across 15 states and Washington, D.C. Founded in 1892 as Strayer’s Business College, the institution gained university status in 1998. More than 50,000 students are enrolled in its online programs, and it specializes in degree programs for working adults. SU offers 49 online master’s degrees in five professional areas: accounting, business and finance, education, health services administration, and information technology. Each student is assigned a personal assistance coach for guidance throughout the program. Along with the competitive tuition, personal advice is available regarding financial aid, and work and transfer credits can help reduce the cost of completing graduate school. Students may be eligible for grants, loans, scholarships, and military benefits.

Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is a private university located in Campbellsville, Kentucky. It is a Baptist institution but is open to students of all denominations. The university offers 48 online master's degree options. Popular graduate programs include special education, sport management, TESOL, Montessori teacher education, music, church management, and social work. The university uses the Moodle online learning management system to deliver coursework. Degree programs at Campbellsville University are affordable, and students may be eligible for financial aid in the form of loans, grants, or scholarships. CU’s flexible online courses are a good option for those wishing to start a new career or enhance their present one by balancing work with part-time education.

The University of Arkansas is a research university located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Founded in 1871, it is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and the largest, best-known university in the state. The university offers 37 online master’s degree programs. Students can choose from such popular subjects as business administration, secondary mathematics, educational equity, agriculture & food law, food safety, nursing, and social work. Diplomas earned by online students are identical to those earned by on-campus students. Master’s programs at UA are both convenient and affordable, as online students pay in-state tuition rates. Additionally, distance learners may be eligible for grants, loans, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid.

Founded in 1895, Graceland University is a private liberal arts university with campuses in Lamoni, Iowa, and Independence, Missouri. It is affiliated with the Community of Christ. The institution, recognized by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) for excellence, offers 13 online master’s degrees in literacy instruction, special education, instructional leadership, nursing, and religion. Flexible learning at GU means that graduate students can log on and study wherever and whenever it is convenient for them. Affordable tuition and the availability of financial aid make Graceland University an ideal choice for busy professionals who wish to complete their graduate degree without creating a financial strain.

Founded in 1907, the University of Central Arkansas is a public research university located in Conway, Arkansas. It is one of the oldest universities in the state. The institution’s robust online learning program includes 13 master’s degrees in such subjects as business administration, health sciences, geographic information systems, and sport management. Students have access to 24/7 technical support and a program coordinator. The Blackboard online learning management system is used to deliver coursework, and students can access their courses with any Internet-connected device. UCA’s flat tuition is among the lowest in the nation, making an online master’s degree at the university a convenient and economical choice for students who wish to complete their degree without taking on a financial burden.

Founded by Baptist ministers in 1888, University of the Cumberlands is a private, nonprofit college located in Williamsburg, Kentucky. The university’s broad-based liberal arts program is imbued with Christian values. The institution offers over 50 online master’s degrees in such subjects as business administration, project management, addiction counseling, teaching, coaching, nursing, digital forensics, and Christian studies. Online students have access to counseling, career services, and The Learning Commons, UC’s program that offers a variety of academic services to its students both on campus and online. Flexible online learning combined with the university’s affordable tuition makes UC a smart choice for busy professionals who want to complete their graduate degree.
 

Founded in 1905, Missouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri. With over 23,000 students, it is the state’s second-largest university campus by enrollment. The institution offers 21 online master’s degrees, including programs in business administration, child life studies, cybersecurity, history, nursing, and special education with blindness & low vision option. Programs are 100 percent online, and course material is delivered via the Blackboard online learning management system. Student support resources include virtual research assistance, writing assistance, a career center, and one-on-one tutoring. Tuition at MSU is lower than most other institutions in Missouri and well below the national average. Additionally, students may be eligible for grants, loans, or scholarships.

Minot State University is a public university located in Minot, North Dakota. Founded in 1913, it is the third-largest university in the state. MSU offers 10 online master’s degree programs in education, information systems, management, special education, and sports management. Some degrees have multiple concentrations available. Coursework is delivered via the Blackboard online learning management system, and an online tutorial is provided so students can get familiar with the online learning environment. Learning is asynchronous; online courses can be completed anywhere and at any time, making it a good option for students who are balancing other obligations around their studies. MSU’s tuition is competitive and affordable, and both financial aid and payment plans are available.

Founded in 1899, Western Illinois University is a public university located in Macomb, Illinois. The university offers 13 online master’s degrees, and popular subjects include business administration, educational studies, music, and special education. Programs are 100 percent online, and transfer credits from accredited higher education institutions are accepted. The affordable graduate courses provide students with the tools and skills they need to grow and advance in their present careers or diverge into something entirely new.
 

Founded in 1879 and located in Barbourville, Kentucky, Union College is a private college that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The university offers 11 online master’s degrees in such areas as athletic administration, information systems management, education, and psychology. The programs are available 100 percent online, and the administration and business degrees can be completed in one year or less of full-time study. All of UC’s graduate programs are available at one flat tuition rate. The convenience of online learning together with affordable tuition makes UC an ideal choice for those who want to earn a master’s degree while caring for their private and professional obligations. Students may qualify for grants, loans, and scholarships.

Eastern Illinois University is a state university in Charleston, Illinois. Established in 1895 as a teacher’s college offering a two-year degree for educators, Eastern Illinois University is now a comprehensive university that provides both undergraduate and graduate degrees. The university offers over 20 online master’s degrees. Popular subjects include aging studies, history, political science, cybersecurity, talent development, nutrition and dietetics, writing, and reading instruction. Coursework is delivered via the Brightspace online learning system, and the university can direct students to a wealth of tutorial and instructional material so they can quickly adapt to the online learning environment. Nearly all of EIU’s online courses are offered with the affordable in-state tuition rate, and students may be eligible for grants, loans, scholarships, and military benefits.

One of four comprehensive universities in the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University serves students from all 50 states, various US territories, and over 75 different countries. The university offers over 30 online master’s degrees in such areas as criminal justice, elementary education, ESOL, library and information science, and special education. VSU offers an Online Readiness Tool for students who aren’t sure if distance learning is right for them. Additionally, online orientation is provided so students can get acquainted with features of the online learning environment. Students who study 100 percent online are exempt from certain fees associated with on-campus learning, and the affordable eTuition rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
 

Founded in 1966, Prescott College is a private liberal arts college located in Prescott, Arizona. Thirteen fully online master’s degrees are offered at the college. Popular programs include adventure education, counseling, and education. Coursework is delivered via the Moodle course management system. Along with the affordable tuition, students may be eligible for financial aid or scholarships, and military/veteran benefits are available.
 

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a public research university located in Lubbock, Texas. It is the main institution of the four-institution Texas Tech University System and offers degrees in over 150 courses of study through 13 different colleges. More than 60 online master’s degrees are available at TTU in such varied subjects as English, special education, higher education, horticulture, nutrition and dietetics, plant and soil science, and software engineering. The university uses the Blackboard online learning management system to deliver coursework; learning is asynchronous, and students can access course material 24/7. Students who learn exclusively online at Texas Tech pay tuition rates comparable to the affordable in-state rates.
 

The University of North Georgia was established in 2013 by a merger of North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College. It is comprised of five different campuses. Ten online master’s degrees are offered in international affairs, middle grades math and science, public administration, criminal justice, and kinesiology. Through UNG Online, students can create a schedule of solely online courses or combine online and face-to-face courses. Distance learners have access to 24/7 online tutoring services, a success advisor, and UNG libraries. The university’s affordable tuition rates together with the flexibility that comes with distance learning make UNG’s online programs a good option for adult learners who need to fit a degree around their professional and family responsibilities.
 

Midway between Dallas and Fort Worth is the University of Texas at Arlington. Founded in 1895, it has been part of the University of Texas System since 1965. The university offers 33 online master’s degrees, many in the medical field. Among the programs available to study are nurse practitioner, nursing education, nursing administration, pediatric care, and adult-gerontology. Other subjects include education, business administration, and public administration. Distance learning courses are available with multiple start dates and are 100 percent online, providing a good way for busy professionals to earn their master’s degree while continuing to work and care for other responsibilities. Tuition at UTA is affordable, and pay-by-the-course options are available.
 

Southeast Missouri State University is a public university located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Founded in 1873, the university has expanded to include over 200 areas of study with a special focus on teacher education. Twenty-eight online master’s degrees are offered in such subjects as general management, sport management, elementary education, teacher leadership, secondary education, and TESOL. Distance learning at SMSU is asynchronous, but start and end dates are based on the standard semester schedule. Courses are 8 or 16 weeks in length. Coursework is delivered via the Moodle course management system, and the university’s website provides a demo for prospective learners to become familiar with the online learning environment. In addition to being below average on cost per credit hour, Southeast awards more than $20 million annually in academic and need-based scholarships. They also have a textbook rental program.

A public state university located in Warrensburg, Missouri, the University of Central Missouri serves over 14,000 students from 49 states and 59 countries. Over 40 online master’s degrees are offered at UCM in a variety of subjects including aviation safety, behavioral & analysis therapy, criminal justice, kinesiology, nursing, and nutrition. Course material is delivered via the Blackboard online learning management system, and many programs are 100 percent online. Learning is asynchronous, and online courses follow the same 8- or 16- week schedule as on-campus courses. Online students — no matter where they live — pay the same low tuition as in-state students who study on campus.
 

Established in 1939, the University of Valley Forge is a private Christian college located in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. It is affiliated with the Assemblies of God. Eleven online master’s degrees are offered at UVF in curriculum and instruction, organizational leadership, Christian leadership, worship studies, music technology, and theology. Courses are offered in both accelerated 7-week modules and traditional 14-week modules. MyValleyForge is the university’s online course management system where distance learners can access course information, grades, assignments, exams, and more. IT support and career services are available. There is no application fee at UFV, and tuition costs are competitive and affordable. Financial aid is available, and students may be eligible for grants and scholarships.
 

Established in 1910 and part of the Texas A&M University System, West Texas A&M University is a public university located in Canyon, Texas. The institution offers a total of 19 online master’s degrees. They include such popular subjects as counseling, educational diagnostician, nursing, business administration, and mathematics. Potential distance learners can take an online assessment on the university’s website to see if online learning is a good fit for them. WTAMU’s online education programs are affordable, and the university assists students in finding financial aid. Online learners have access to academic support, tech support, library services, free Microsoft Office software, tutoring services, and more.

Located in Orange Beach, Alabama, Columbia Southern University is a private, for-profit, family-owned institution that specializes in online education. CSU offers 17 online master’s degrees in such disciplines as business, criminal justice, and public health. Multiple concentrations are available for some degrees. CSU is implementing Quality Matters, a nationally recognized peer-review process that certifies the quality of online courses. Tuition rates are affordable and competitive, and the university has partnered with over 2,500 companies and organizations to provide a 10 percent discount to their employees and members. Financial aid, scholarships, and military benefits are available as well.
 

Ohio Christian University, founded in 1948, is a private Christian college located in Circleville, Ohio. It is affiliated with the Churches of Christ in Christian Union. Seventeen online master’s degree programs are offered at OCU, including a Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Leadership, and Master of Arts in Ministry. Additionally, a dual degree of Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts with a major in ministry is available. OCU’s online programs feature asynchronous learning, so busy students can log on and do coursework at their convenience. In addition to OCU’s online graduate degrees being affordable and convenient, distance learners can apply for financial aid, and OCU accepts employer assistance and reimbursements.