Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Minnesota 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.

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 best-known 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 a one-time $60 application fee and an assessment fee of $440-$490 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: While Pell Grants are only available to undergraduates, the FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal programs open to graduate students, like the TEACH Grant and Federal Work-Study, 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 U.S. Department of Labor'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 St. 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 $525 per credit and include majors in business administration, computer science, cybersecurity, and information technology.

• Average in-state tuition: $464.31 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $464.31 per credit
• Financial aid: CSP accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Winona State University

Winona State University offers several 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 courses at Winona State cost $569.79 per credit hour, which is the standard resident rate plus a small online fee, regardless of where students live. The exceptions are the master's in healthcare leadership, which is $556.93 per credit, and the online Master of Social Work (MSW), which is $746.90 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $569.79 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $569.79 per credit
• Financial aid: Winona State offers institutional aid, accepts FAFSA, and accepts private student aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. 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 special education. The MBA program offers concentrations like healthcare administration and entrepreneurship.

SMSU, located in Marshall, MN, is a public university. Graduate programs have a tuition rate of $569.68 per credit hour, and most out-of-state students pay the same rate as Minnesota residents.

• Average in-state tuition: $569.68 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $569.68 per credit
• Financial aid: SMSU accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. 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 $590.42 per credit hour. There is no difference in tuition for in-state and out-of-state online students.

• Average in-state tuition: $590.42 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $590.42 per credit
• Financial aid: Metro State accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. College of St. Scholastica

At the College of St. Scholastica, students can choose from eight different online master's degrees. Tuition varies by program, with some of the lowest-cost options being the Master of Education (MEd) at $514 per credit, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in leadership and change at $638 per credit, a Master of Science (MS) in applied data analytics at $644 per credit, and a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) at $644 per credit.

CSS, a private Catholic school, is located in Duluth, MN. It also offers online master's degrees in chemistry ($690 per credit), health information management ($700 per credit), health informatics ($700 per credit), and social work ($777 per credit).

• Average in-state tuition: $663.38 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $663.38 per credit
• Financial aid: CSS offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

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

No Minnesota college offers tuition-free online master's degrees, but students in the state can still enroll in tuition-free programs based elsewhere. Because these schools operate fully online, Minnesota residents can earn a degree without relocating or paying out-of-state rates. Fees still apply, so it's important to understand the full cost before you enroll.

University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a private, nonprofit online institution based in Pasadena, CA. Instead of tuition, it charges a one-time $60 application fee and an assessment fee for each course a student completes. UoPeople offers three online master's programs: a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT), and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in advanced teaching.

The school also uses open educational resources, so students don't pay for textbooks. This brings the total cost of a master's degree to roughly $6,000, far less than most traditional programs.

• Assessment fees: $490 per course for the MBA and MSIT; $440 per course for the M.Ed.
• Application fee: $60 (one-time)
• Financial aid: UoPeople offers scholarships to help students cover 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 Minnesota school offers fully tuition-free online master's degrees, we focus on programs that keep graduate tuition low and give students real ways to reduce their remaining costs. We give extra weight to schools whose online students pay the same rate regardless of where they live. We also verify current per-credit tuition directly with each school, since graduate rates often change from year to year. Here are the main factors we consider:

• Accreditation: Every school on our list holds institutional accreditation from a recognized agency, such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). This ensures students can use federal financial aid and that their degree will be recognized by employers and other schools.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compare current per-credit graduate tuition across each school's online master's programs. We also consider whether the school accepts the FAFSA and offers institutional scholarships, graduate assistantships, or other aid that can lower the final price.
• Online availability: We include only schools that offer master's degrees fully online. We favor schools with a range of online graduate programs and flexible formats that fit the schedules of working professionals.
• Student outcomes: We review graduation rates, retention rates, and post-graduation earnings data where available. These help confirm that a low price also comes with a solid return on investment.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Paying for a master's degree in Minnesota can raise a lot of questions, especially as state and federal aid rules change. Here are answers to some of the most common ones.

Does the North Star Promise Cover Graduate School?

No. Minnesota's North Star Promise Scholarship only covers undergraduate students pursuing their first degree. Eligible students must be Minnesota residents with a family adjusted gross income below $80,000. If you're still working on your bachelor's degree, it may be worth checking whether you qualify. A bachelor's-to-master's program could also let you take some graduate courses while you're still eligible.

Can Minnesota Seniors Take Graduate Courses for Free?

In some cases, yes. Under Minnesota law, residents age 62 or older can enroll in courses at public colleges and universities without paying tuition. Enrollment is on a space-available basis. Students still pay an administrative fee and some standard fees. At Metro State, for example, these total about $58 per credit. Some schools also allow seniors to use this benefit toward a degree, so contact your school for details.

What Federal Aid Is Available for Online Master's Students?

Graduate students aren't eligible for Pell Grants, but filing the FAFSA can still open doors. Graduate students may qualify for the TEACH Grant if they're studying education, as well as Federal Work-Study and Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

Federal loan rules recently changed. Starting July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS loans are no longer available to new borrowers. Graduate Direct Unsubsidized Loans are now capped at $20,500 per year and $100,000 total. Because of these limits, choosing a low-cost program matters more than ever.

Are There Tax Breaks for Minnesota Teachers Who Earn a Master's Degree?

Yes. Minnesota offers a state tax credit for qualified teachers who earn a master's degree in their licensure field. This makes affordable online MEd and MA in education programs, like those at Concordia University, St. Paul and the College of St. Scholastica, an even better value. At the federal level, the Lifetime Learning Credit may also help offset graduate tuition costs.

Do Online Students Pay Out-of-State Tuition at Minnesota Schools?

Often, no. All five schools on our list charge online graduate students the same tuition rate whether they live in Minnesota or not. Winona State, for example, bills online courses at its resident rate plus a small online fee for students in every state. If you're comparing programs at other Minnesota schools, check whether they charge online students out-of-state tuition before you apply.

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.