Most Affordable Online Graduate Schools for a Master’s Degree 2020

A private health sciences university in Chesterfield, Missouri, Logan University’s commitment to holistic healthcare education goes back to 1935. Logan offers seven evidence-based degrees in four in-demand fields, including online master’s degrees in health informatics, nutrition and human performance, and sports science and rehabilitation.

Logan boasts small online classes (12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio) that facilitate high levels of interaction and personalized attention. Distance learners get access to career services, a learning resource center, world-class faculty, and academic technology services. Logan partners with a variety of regional and national academic and professional institutions to offer opportunities for hands-on experience in students’ local communities.

Transfer students may be able to get credit for prior coursework with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The school accepts up to 30% of the program’s total credits in transfer coursework.

Logan University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Founded by Baptist ministers in 1888, University of the Cumberlands (UC) in Williamsburg, Kentucky, provides a broad, Christ-informed liberal arts education to students from all backgrounds. The university boasts a 15-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, 40 undergraduate academic programs, eight focus areas for graduate study, and more than 15,000 in-person and online students.

Designed for adult learners, UC’s flexible and affordable online master’s programs cover fields such as counseling, business, education, and ministry. The school’s practical online graduate programs combine a 125-year-old tradition of academic excellence with modern, cutting-edge technologies that support distance learners. Online students get access to UC’s library resources, academic advising, and the learning commons and writing center.

UC’s admissions committee evaluates students based on their resume, GPA, courses taken, extracurricular activities, and essay quality.

University of the Cumberlands is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Founded in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, in 1894, Fitchburg State University is a public school that offers professional programs that incorporate the liberal arts and sciences. The academic catalog includes 30 undergraduate and 22 master’s programs for 7,000 students. Online offerings include continuing education and professional development programs.

Distance learners can choose from some of the cheapest online master’s programs in fields such as educational leadership and management, history, marketing, and forensic nursing. Online learners can pursue completely online degrees on their own schedule, with course materials available 24/7 and no set class times required. Online programs also offer dedicated faculty, high-quality curriculum, and technical support.

Students complete all online coursework asynchronously using Blackboard, Fitchburg’s simple, user-friendly interface. Prospective online students can take a demonstration class to see if they like the online learning environment.

Fitchburg State University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Based in Los Alamitos, California, Touro University Worldwide (TUW) offers flexible, accredited degrees completely online. Academic departments include business, psychology, and health and human services. Distance learners can pursue master’s degrees in areas such as dispute resolution, human resource management, and marriage and family therapy.

TUW’s online master’s programs feature affordable tuition and an all doctoral-level faculty. Because of the university’s rolling enrollment period, distance learners can start their program six times a year. No online programs require an onsite residency, allowing students to complete their degree while fulfilling personal and work commitments.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited postsecondary institution with a minimum 2.5 GPA. TUW accepts graduate transfer students in good academic standing with a minimum 2.75 GPA. TUW does not require GRE or GMAT scores.

Touro University Worldwide is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The largest American university primarily for women, Texas Woman’s University (TWU) in Denton enrolls 15,000 students. TWU’s academic catalog includes undergraduate and graduate degrees in the liberal arts, health sciences, business, and nursing. TWU offers more than 30 hybrid and fully online graduate programs, including master’s degrees in education for the deaf, health administration in global health, and nursing education.

TWU’s online learners can take advantage of personalized academic advising, a center for women in business, a career connections center, a writing center, and financial aid assistance. Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college and a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. Applicants must also meet individual program requirements. International applicants must submit proof of English language proficiency.

Texas Woman’s University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

One of the newest universities in Houston, Texas, North American University (NAU) emphasizes student-centered, individually based support to foster academic success. Founded in 2007, the private, nonprofit school offers accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science, business administration, and education.

Online learners at NAU can pursue courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. NAU also offers an accelerated 16-month master of business administration (MBA). The online MBA emphasizes leadership, change management, and data analytics. Business professionals and experienced faculty members collaborate to create NAU’s MBA curriculum. The MBA program does not require the GRE or GMAT.

NAU delivers its distance education programs using the Moodle course management system. Distance learners gain access to a career center, library resources, IT help, and a student success center that offers mentoring, academic coaching, and tutoring.

North American University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

One of the country’s top urban public research universities, the University of Colorado (CU) Denver Anschutz Medical Campus consists of two campuses: the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora and CU-Denver in downtown Denver. The university serves more than 18,000 students and offers 130 academic programs through 13 colleges and schools.

Distance learners can pursue more than 50 fully online bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs through CU Online. The school’s distance education offerings also include many standalone online courses. Popular online master’s programs include information systems and criminal justice.

CU’s pioneering commitment to distance education goes back to 1996, when the school offered its first online class. Online learners enjoy the same world-class faculty and curriculum as on-campus students. Degree-seekers take classes asynchronously through the Canvas learning management system.

University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Founded in 1864 and part of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Concordia University-Chicago in River Forest, Illinois, offers a private, liberal arts education that incorporates Christian values. Concordia offers dozens of fully online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in fields such as computer science, early childhood education, and healthcare management.

Designed for working adults, the school’s asynchronous distance education programs include daily interaction with faculty and classmates. Degree-seekers take one class at a time in a predetermined order. Concordia’s faculty members and online learners come from dozens of states and across the world.

Admission requirements for Concordia’s master’s programs include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college. Full admission requires a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must submit an objective statement, transcripts, and two recommendation letters. Prerequisite requirements vary by program.

Concordia University-Chicago is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The internationally recognized public research university Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, serves more than 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university emphasizes science- and technology-focused majors in computing, business, design, liberal arts, sciences, and engineering. The university’s experience offering online education to students around the world goes back more than 40 years.

The school’s online programs feature world-class faculty, rigorous courses, and cutting-edge digital learning tools. Distance learners experience a media-rich online learning environment where they can collaborate with classmates and instructors, watch videos, and access lectures 24/7. Georgia Tech offers 13 flexible online master’s programs in fields such as aerospace engineering, cybersecurity, and medical physics. After completing their degree requirements, distance learners can attend commencement on campus in Atlanta.

Georgia Institute of Technology is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

One of the most diverse universities in the Midwest, National Louis University (NLU) in Chicago, Illinois, offers fully accredited online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. NLU got its start more than 130 years ago as a kindergarten training school, and its education programs remain strong today.

NLU’s online graduate programs include 10 master’s degrees in areas such as early childhood administration, teacher leadership, and industrial and organizational psychology. Degree-seekers can also pursue six online education endorsements. NLU’s distance learners experience the same curriculum and credentialed faculty members as their on-campus counterparts, but benefit from the flexibility of self-paced, asynchronous classes.

Admission requirements for master’s programs include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university, a resume, official transcripts, a graduate admission essay, and three references. Each program may also include its own specific requirements.

National Louis University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) in Lubbock graduates more healthcare professionals than any other Texas school. The university conducts cutting-edge clinical and biomedical research and provides patient care. An independent university separate from Texas Tech University, TTUHSC operates five schools and satellite campuses, including a school of medicine, school of nursing, and graduate school of biomedical sciences.

TTUHSC offers a variety of distance education options, including online master’s programs in clinical rehabilitation counseling, healthcare administration, and nursing. The university’s online programs do not cover state professional licensing requirements. Degree-seekers should verify state licensing board eligibility with their program. Distance learners get access to student support services including library resources, academic advising, student business services, a writing center, and IT help.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Established in 1967, in Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS) boasts one of Louisiana’s lowest student-to-teacher ratios. The university’s eight-week semester system lets students earn their degrees faster.

LSUS offers distance education programs for undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education students. Fully online master’s degrees from LSUS encompass fields such as nonprofit administration, curriculum and instruction, and educational leadership. LSUS also offers an online MBA program with 10 specializations, including project management, human resources management, and hospitality and casino management. Most online master’s degrees from LSUS take less than one year to complete.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA or a minimum 2.75 GPA in the last 60 undergraduate semester credits. Applicants must also be in satisfactory academic standing at their last institution.

Louisiana State University Shreveport is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Located in New Castle, Delaware, Wilmington University (WilmU) offers more than 125 flexible online degrees that prepare working adults for career advancement. The university’s distance education programs feature award-winning faculty, affordable tuition, and special support for military students. A transfer-friendly school, Wilmington accepts up to 12 transfer credits from accredited institutions towards a graduate degree.

Classes start every eight weeks, allowing degree-seekers to choose a start date that works best with their professional and personal commitments. Online students enjoy access to advising, tutoring, and library resources.

Applicants to WilmU’s online master’s programs need an accredited bachelor’s degree. The university’s open admission policy means that applicants do not need a minimum GPA or GRE/GMAT test scores to qualify for most programs. Distance learners can graduate sooner by applying to get credit for previous academic coursework or military training and professional experience.

Wilmington University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

A public research university and medical center founded in 1828, Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia, offers 160 undergraduate and graduate programs and clinical research opportunities. Augusta holds the Carnegie classification of very high research activity for a doctoral university and boasts top-ranking nursing and business schools. More than 9,000 students attend classes at Augusta each year.

Augusta’s graduate school offers online master’s programs in fields such as business administration, educational leadership, and kinesiology. The university’s distance education offerings include a variety of online courses from the division of professional and community education.

Admission requirements for master’s programs at Augusta vary by program. Distance learners pay a flat fee per credit, regardless of where they live, and they may qualify for the same financial aid as on-campus students.

Augusta University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

A private, nonprofit institution established in 1964 and based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) serves 21,000 students annually. NSU provides student-centered undergraduate and graduate on-campus and online programs. Nationally recognized as a leader in online learning, NSU traces its pioneering efforts in distance education to 1972. Today, learners can choose from a variety of affordable online master’s programs in fields such as accounting, data analytics, and disaster and emergency management.

NSU’s online programs feature 24/7 access to course content, web-based instruction, high levels of student engagement, and real-time classroom presentations and audio. Distance learners get access to the university’s electronic library and online databases, career development services, and individualized academic advising. The university may accept up to 12 transfer credits from a regionally accredited college towards a master’s degree.

Nova Southeastern University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Texas A&M University-Commerce, a public postsecondary institution in Commerce, Texas, was established in 1889 and serves more than 12,000 students. The school’s more than 130 academic programs include a variety of hybrid/blended and online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

The university’s academic offerings include colleges of science and engineering, education and human services, business, and agriculture. Popular online master’s programs include business, physics, and higher education. Online courses use the Brightspace learning management system and follow the same semester schedule as the physical campus.

Distance learners receive the same support services as on-campus students, including access to financial aid, library resources, career services, technical support, and the university bookstore.

Texas A&M University-Commerce is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Established in 1958 to educate service members at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, Brandman University in Irvine, California, remains military-friendly but serves a diverse population of working adults seeking flexible learning opportunities. Brandman serves 13,000 students with on-campus and online accredited bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate programs.

Brandman’s online master’s programs include fields such as organizational leadership, special education, and psychology. Distance learners get access to career coaching, mentoring, and networking opportunities and receive individualized academic advising. Practitioner faculty offer mentorship and career guidance to students. All instructors learn to teach using a model that emphasizes best practices for adult learning.

Applicants to Brandman’s online master’s programs need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university. Other application requirements may include graduate-level examinations, official transcripts, and additional documentation.

Brandman University is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

A public Ivy and one of the nation’s oldest and top-ranked public universities, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) offers degrees in more than 70 fields of study. Online and distance education offerings at UNC include nine master’s degrees, two doctoral degrees, and eight certificate programs. UNC also offers online education opportunities through the center for continuing education and its professional schools.

Distance learners can earn some of the cheapest online master’s degrees from UNC in subjects such as public health, technology and communication, public administration, and accounting. The school’s online master’s programs let students continue working while pursuing their degree. Online courses include multimedia coursework, optional on-campus immersion experiences, and access to support services such as a writing center, tutoring, and a virtual computer lab.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Established more than 160 years ago, the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville boasts $838 million in annual research expenditures and more than 200 research, education, and service centers and institutes.

Students can pursue more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates online, including affordable online master’s programs in fields such as aerospace engineering, educational leadership, and international construction management. The university also uses Coursera to offer free online classes to the general public.

UF’s distance courses may include both synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Online learners receive academic advising, financial aid opportunities, and IT help. The cost of tuition and admission requirements for UF’s online graduate degrees vary by program. Students should contact their prospective department for specific information.

University of Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

A public research institution, The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) boasts one of the nation’s biggest academic medical centers. UAB offers more than 170 academic programs with study-abroad opportunities in 53 countries. UAB’s distance learners can pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs online in fields such as management information systems, instructional design and development, and construction engineering and management.

UAB offers mostly online, fully online, partly online, and blended degree options. Many primarily on-campus programs also deliver some courses at a distance. The Collat School of Business provides more than 95% of its courses both online and on campus, giving degree-seekers flexibility. Many online programs at UAB charge the same tuition rate for residents and non-residents.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York, got its start in 1957 as a training college for math and science secondary school teachers. The university boasts over 200 undergraduate programs and more than 150 graduate programs. Popular degrees include biology, business management, and mechanical engineering.

SUNY Stony Brook’s school of professional development offers online master’s programs in areas such as higher education administration, human resource management, and liberal studies. Other online offerings include graduate certificates and post-master’s certificates in coaching, educational leadership, and higher education administration. Most online programs run asynchronously and follow an accelerated 10-week semester schedule that does not observe state holidays or fall or spring breaks.

Distance learners get access to support services, including library resources, the writing center, counseling and psychological services, and information technology assistance.

Stony Brook University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

One of the country’s most highly regarded and diverse postsecondary institutions, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) enrolls more than 33,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year. In collaboration with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois at Springfield, UIC offers several online bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs and continuing education courses.

Academic offerings include online graduate programs in aerospace engineering, curriculum and instruction, and community health sciences. Admission requirements vary by program. Online student support includes access to library resources, career development services, disability services, and veteran services.

Highly qualified instructors teach in UIC’s online programs and receive support from the school’s center for innovation in teaching and learning, the faculty and staff technology training team, and information technology.

The University of Illinois at Chicago is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

A public university in Beaumont, Texas, and a member of the Texas State University System since 1995, Lamar University serves more than 15,000 students. Offering more than 100 degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, the school emphasizes experiential learning and opportunities for student-led research.

Distance learners can pursue master’s degrees in areas such as business administration, healthcare administration, criminal justice, and clinical mental health counseling. Lamar also offers online degree and certificate programs in nursing, liberal arts, and health sciences.

The same top-ranked faculty that teach on campus also provide instruction for the university’s online programs. Lamar’s completely online courses offer 24/7 availability and features such as streaming video, online chat rooms with real-time interaction, and discussion boards.

Lamar University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

A public research institution founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma (OU) in Norman boasts more than 170 academic programs. OU’s extended campus offers blended onsite/online and fully online master’s programs designed to meet the needs of working adults.

The academic catalog includes online degrees in organizational leadership, museum studies, health and human services, and criminal justice. Courses run asynchronously and offer 24/7 access, allowing learners to complete assignments whenever convenient. Student support advisors, program directors, a technical support team, and a dedicated distance-learning librarian provide personalized support to online students.

Prospective online students can apply three times a year. Admission requirements for online graduate programs include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college and a minimum 3.0 GPA. OU may accept some applicants with a lower GPA who demonstrate other potential for academic success.

University of Oklahoma is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

With a history going back 150 years, Maryville University in Saint Louis, Missouri, ranks among the nation’s fastest growing universities. Maryville’s future-focused commitment to using innovative technology to support learning earned it recognition from Apple as a Distinguished School for 2018-21.

Online offerings include more than 50 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees and certificate programs. The school’s online graduate programs feature completely online coursework with no in-person requirements. Learners can pursue online master’s programs in data analytics, strategic communication and leadership, and nursing. Maryville is also developing new online programs, some in partnership with companies such as Boeing and Edward Jones.

The university offers flexible start dates and individualized enrollment support and academic advising. Maryville’s streamlined admission process does not require any entrance exams or an application fee.

Maryville University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).