Are There Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Minnesota?

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.

Minnesota is a hub of business, education, and healthcare, so many students in the state prefer to give themselves an edge in the job market with a master's degree. For many students, especially working professionals, the best way to do that is through an online program.

Online degrees offer far more flexibility than on-campus options. They can also be less expensive, as they don't require students to commute or live near campus. However, even with these benefits, most online learners cannot pay for their degrees out of pocket.

Although tuition-free online master's degrees don't really exist, there are ways for students to cover most or all of their costs without taking out student loans. Keep reading to discover more about affordable and free master's degrees online in Minnesota.

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

There are no tuition-free online colleges in Minnesota. While the state offers an excellent financial aid program called the North Star Promise that can make college free for undergraduate students, this program does not extend to graduate students.

The only school with tuition-free online master's degree programs is University of the People. UoPeople is a private, nonprofit online institution based in Pasadena, CA. Tuition here is free, but the school does charge an assessment fee of $350-$400 per online course for master's degrees. This means while it's a lot less expensive than most programs, it's not totally free.

With the right financial aid, you may be able to reduce or even eliminate your tuition costs. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what they qualify for. There are many accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA in Minnesota.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

With strategic planning, it's possible for you to pay very little, or even nothing at all, for your graduate degree. There are a few strategies you can use to cover your costs and earn a free master's degree online:

• Choose a low-cost college for your program: Tuition rates can vary between colleges and even programs, so choose not just an affordable college but one that offers your degree at a low tuition rate.
• Consider bachelor 's-to-master's programs: Some schools offer bachelor's-to-master's degrees, which allow you to take graduate-level courses while you're still in your bachelor's degree program.
• File the FAFSA: FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal programs, like the Pell Grant, as well as many state and institutional aid programs.
• Pursue private aid: Many private organizations offer scholarships. Scholarship finder tools, like the one on the Department of Education's CareerOneStop site, can help you find these.
• Take advantage of employer-sponsored aid: Most people know that the military offers tuition benefits, but your regular employer may offer these types of benefits as well.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

When looking to make your degree as low-cost as possible, choosing one of the most affordable online master's degrees in Minnesota is a great place to start. We've highlighted some of these schools below.

1. Concordia University, St. Paul

Concordia University, St. Paul is a private Christian institution in Saint Paul, MN. It offers numerous online degrees, including nearly 30 online master's programs. Tuition varies by degree at CSP. Some of the least expensive options include:

• Master of Arts (MA) in education ($395 per credit)
• Master of Arts in teaching ($440 per credit)
• Master of Arts in criminal justice leadership ($475 per credit)
• Master of Arts in human services ($475 per credit)

The most expensive online master's degrees at CSP are around $600 per credit and include majors in business administration, computer science, cybersecurity, and information technology.

• Average in-state tuition: $522.65 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $522.65 per credit
• Financial aid: CSP accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. College of St. Scholastica

At the College of St. Scholastica, students can choose from seven different online master's degrees. Tuition varies by program, with some of the lowest-cost options being the Master of Education (MEd) at $499 per credit, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in leadership and change at $610 per credit, a Master of Science (MS) in applied data analytics at $625 per credit, and a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) at $625 per credit.

CSS, a private Catholic school, is located in Duluth, MN. It also offers online master's degrees in chemistry ($670 per credit), health information management ($680 per credit), and health informatics ($707 per credit).

• Average in-state tuition: $630.86 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $630.86 per credit
• Financial aid: CSS offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Winona State University

Winona State University offers eight master's degrees to online graduate students in fields such as education, leadership, and social sciences. WSU is a public university in Winona, MN.

Most online graduate degrees at Winona State cost $501.91 per credit hour. The exceptions are the master's in healthcare leadership, which is $542.46 per credit, and the online Master of Social Work (MSW), which is $735.50 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $501.91 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $501.91 per credit
• Financial aid: Winona State offers institutional aid, accepts FAFSA, and accepts private student aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Southwest Minnesota State University

Online master's degrees at Southwest Minnesota State University are available in areas of study like business administration, cybersecurity, education, and nursing. The MBA program offers concentrations like healthcare administration and entrepreneurship, while the education degree offers specializations in areas like elementary education and mathematics.

SMSU, located in Marshall, MN, is a public university. All online advanced degree programs have a tuition rate of $518 per credit hour.

• Average in-state tuition: $518 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $518 per credit
• Financial aid: SMSU accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State University is a public institution in the St. Paul metro area. It offers an MBA and master's degrees in nonprofit leadership, public administration, and management information systems through online learning.

Tuition for these master's degrees and online graduate certificate programs is $523.85 per credit hour. There is no difference in tuition for in-state and out-of-state online students.

• Average in-state tuition: $523.85 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $523.85 per credit
• Financial aid: Metro State accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

Explore Affordable Online Master's Degrees

Find the perfect online master's degree by exploring the affordable, accredited options featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.