Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Louisiana 2027

Although fully free online master's degrees are not available, students seeking an affordable degree path can significantly reduce costs through various financial aid options. Federal and state aid, scholarships from higher education institutions, and other funding sources can cover a portion of tuition costs for eligible students. However, it is important to note that additional costs beyond tuition may apply.

Some students choose to continue their education beyond a bachelor's degree to a master's degree. This may be due to certain requirements in their career field or to boost their prospects in the job market.

For many students, especially working professionals, online degrees are more convenient than on-campus programs. They can also be less expensive, as students don't need to live near campus or commute.

That being said, these degrees can still have a high price tag. Although no schools offer completely free master's degrees online, by choosing the right school and applying for financial aid, you may be able to reduce or completely eliminate your costs and avoid taking out student loans. Keep reading to learn more about how to get low-cost or free master's degrees online in Louisiana.

Can I Get a Master's Degree Online for Free in Louisiana?

There are no free online colleges in Louisiana. However, there are many that offer affordable master's degrees.

The only school in the U.S. that really offers tuition-free online master's degree programs is the University of the People, and degrees here are still not completely free. UoPeople, a private, nonprofit online school based in Pasadena, CA, charges a one-time $60 application fee and an assessment fee for each online course. For master's degrees, that fee is between $440 and $490 per course. While this is much cheaper than many other schools, it's still not 100% free.

Graduate students in Louisiana can choose a low-cost college and couple that with financial aid to significantly reduce costs. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out what aid they qualify for. Students can find numerous accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA in Louisiana.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

There are many ways for students in Louisiana to make their graduate degrees more affordable, and some may be able to cover most or all of their costs. These include:

• Choose a low-cost school: Several colleges and universities in Louisiana, especially public institutions, offer highly affordable master's degrees.
• Fill out the FAFSA: The FAFSA will determine your eligibility for federal financial aid, as well as need-based state and institutional aid programs.
• Look for institutional aid: Many schools offer scholarships, grants, and assistantship opportunities to help students pay for their advanced degrees.
• Apply for private aid: Several private organizations offer scholarships; you can use scholarship finders online to find ones that you qualify for.
• Take advantage of employer-sponsored programs: If you're employed, check to see if your employer offers tuition assistance or reimbursement options.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Louisiana has relatively low tuition, so there are many affordable online master's degrees available in the state. We've highlighted some low-cost options below.

1. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Multiple master's degrees are available to online learners at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Areas of study include business administration, healthcare administration, information technology, and nursing.

ULL, located in Lafayette, LA, is a public research institution. Tuition varies by program, with rates starting at about $388 per credit hour for package-priced programs and going up to $480 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $434 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $434 per credit
• Financial aid: ULL accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Louisiana Christian University

Louisiana Christian University is a private Baptist institution in Pineville, LA. It offers a handful of online master's degree programs in fields like business administration, education and teaching, strategic leadership, and social work.

The online teaching programs have a tuition rate of $412 per credit hour. All other online master's degrees at LCU cost $442 per credit hour.

• Average in-state tuition: $442 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $442 per credit
• Financial aid: LCU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Nicholls State University

Nicholls State University is a public university in Thibodaux, LA. Through Nicholls Online, it offers a handful of online master's degrees, including a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Curriculum and Instruction, and a Master of Science (MS) in mathematics.

Nicholls Online charges a flat tuition rate of $475 per credit hour for graduate courses. Online students do not pay out-of-state fees.

• Average in-state tuition: $475 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $475 per credit
• Financial aid: Nicholls State accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

4. Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern Louisiana University offers a variety of fully online master's degrees. Areas of study include child life, curriculum and instruction, nursing, population health management, and strategic communication.

This public university is located in Hammond, LA. Qualifying online programs charge a flat rate of $475 per graduate credit hour for up to nine hours per semester, plus $100 for each additional hour. Online students in these programs pay the same rate regardless of where they live.

• Average in-state tuition: $475 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $475 per credit
• Financial aid: Southeastern offers institutional aid, including fully-funded nursing degrees. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Northwestern State University

Northwestern State University offers over a dozen online degree programs to online students. NSU is a public university based in Natchitoches, LA.

Online programs are available in fields like computer science, elementary education, healthcare, and social sciences, many of which offer additional concentrations. Tuition at NSU is a flat $475 per credit for online graduate students.

• Average in-state tuition: $522 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $522 per credit
• Financial aid: NSU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Louisiana State University Shreveport

Louisiana State University Shreveport offers nearly two dozen master's degrees through online learning. LSUS is a public university in Shreveport, LA.

Online graduate degrees are available in fields like business analytics, curriculum and instruction, data science, and healthcare administration. Tuition depends on the program; MEd programs are $374 per credit, while the MBA programs are $479 per credit, and the Master of Public Health (MPH) is $775 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $576.50 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $576.50 per credit
• Financial aid: LSUS offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Louisiana State University

Students at Louisiana State University will find nearly 20 online master's degrees. Areas of study include data analytics, environmental sciences, liberal arts, and public administration.

The flagship LSU campus is a public research university located in Baton Rouge, LA. Tuition is program-dependent. Rates start at $459 per credit for education programs and go up to $1,110 per credit for the MBA program.

• Average in-state tuition: $784.50 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $784.50 per credit
• Financial aid: LSU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Other Tuition-Free Online Colleges in the U.S.

Truly tuition-free online master's programs are rare, and none are based in Louisiana. However, Louisiana residents can enroll in fully online programs at schools based in other states. The best-known option, University of the People, doesn't charge traditional tuition at all. Students pay only an application fee and per-course assessment fees.

University of the People

University of the People is a private, nonprofit online university based in Pasadena, CA. It offers three online master's degrees: a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Advanced Teaching, and a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT).

UoPeople doesn't charge for instruction or course materials. Instead, students pay a one-time $60 application fee and an assessment fee for each course. The fee is $490 per course for the MBA and MSIT and $440 per course for the M.Ed. Students who can't afford these fees can apply for scholarships.

• Tuition: None; assessment fees of $440 to $490 per course
• Financial aid: UoPeople offers scholarships to help cover application and assessment fees.
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

Since no school offers a completely free online master's degree, we focus on programs that keep graduate costs low through affordable per-credit tuition, flat online rates, or strong financial aid. We compare each school's published online graduate tuition and give preference to schools that charge the same rate to in-state and out-of-state online students. Each school on our list is evaluated using the following criteria:

• Accreditation: Every school holds institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, such as SACSCOC. This keeps students eligible for federal financial aid and helps ensure their degrees are respected by employers and other schools.
• Affordability and financial aid: We look at per-credit tuition for online graduate programs, flat-rate pricing, and out-of-state fees. We also consider whether a school accepts FAFSA and offers institutional aid such as scholarships, grants, or assistantships.
• Online availability: Schools must offer at least one master's degree that can be completed online. We give extra weight to schools with a range of online programs across different fields.
• Student outcomes: We review measures such as graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to make sure affordable programs also provide a good return on investment.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

FAQs About Tuition-Free Online Master's Degrees in Louisiana

Paying for graduate school can raise a lot of questions, especially since federal loan rules changed in 2026. Below are answers to some common questions about earning a low-cost online master's degree in Louisiana.

Do Online Students in Louisiana Pay Out-of-State Tuition?

Often, no. Many Louisiana public universities charge online students one flat per-credit rate no matter where they live. Nicholls State, Southeastern Louisiana, UL Lafayette, Northwestern State, and LSU Shreveport all charge their fully online graduate students the same rate regardless of residency. Rates can vary by program, so confirm with the school before enrolling.

How Much Can Graduate Students Borrow in Federal Student Loans?

As of July 1, 2026, the federal Grad PLUS loan program is no longer available to new borrowers. Most master's students can now borrow up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with a $100,000 lifetime limit for graduate study. Students who borrowed for their current program before July 1, 2026, may still qualify for the previous limits for a limited time. Because loan caps are lower, choosing an affordable program has become even more important.

Can Graduate Students Receive Pell Grants?

Generally, no. Federal Pell Grants are mainly for undergraduate students who haven't yet earned a bachelor's degree. Graduate students should still fill out the FAFSA, though. It determines eligibility for federal loans and is often required for state and institutional aid, including some scholarships and grants.

What Is the Cheapest Online Master's Degree in Louisiana?

Among the schools on our list, some of the lowest rates are at LSU Shreveport, where several online MEd programs cost $374 to $378 per credit. UL Lafayette is also affordable, with package-priced online master's programs that work out to about $388 per credit. Total cost depends on the number of credits required, fees, and any financial aid you receive.

Is Employer Tuition Assistance Taxable?

Under Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code, employers can provide up to $5,250 per year in educational assistance tax-free. This can include graduate tuition. Amounts above that limit are generally treated as taxable income. Check with your employer's HR department to see what benefits are available and whether you'll need to commit to staying with the company for a certain period.

Explore Affordable Online Master's Degrees

Start your journey toward a master's degree by exploring the affordable online options featured on Learn.org. Contact specific schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, full tuition costs, and financial aid.