Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Nevada 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.

If you live in Nevada and would like to learn more about getting an affordable or free master's degree online, keep reading. In this article, we'll discuss ways to earn a low-cost or tuition-free online master's degree and highlight some schools offering affordable options for you to consider.

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

Though it is possible to earn a very low-cost degree by combining various types of financial aid, accredited colleges don't offer entirely free degrees. Most schools charge for tuition, fees, books, and sometimes other expenses, but financial assistance could cover much or even all of these costs.

University of the People (UoPeople) was the first nonprofit, accredited tuition-free online college in the U.S. Even at this school, which offers three master's degrees (an MBA, an M.Ed., and an M.S. in Information Technology), students must pay a one-time application fee and an assessment fee for each course, so their degrees are not entirely free.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

There are many different types of financial aid available. By combining the various options below, you can greatly reduce your graduate degree expenses and potentially eliminate some of them entirely.

• Federal and state financial aid: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help you qualify for federal student loans, work-study, and some state aid. Note that graduate students generally aren't eligible for Pell Grants, and as of July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS loans are no longer available to new borrowers, which makes low tuition and school-based aid more important than ever. Attending an accredited online college that accepts FAFSA can help you save a lot of money on your education.
• School-specific opportunities: Many schools offer scholarships, grants, fellowships, assistantships, and other types of aid to help students attend school on a budget.
• Private scholarships and grants: Businesses and nonprofit organizations often provide scholarships and grants. These can vary widely in amount from a few hundred dollars to full-tuition scholarships.
• Military or employer benefits: If you're a working professional or have been in the military, you may be eligible for tuition reimbursement, discounts, or waivers that can greatly reduce many of your expenses.
• Affordable tuition: Finally, attending a school with low tuition rates can help your financial aid go further, ultimately lowering or eliminating your out-of-pocket expenses.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

If you're interested in earning your advanced degree for free or nearly free, finding an affordable school is an essential step. Let's explore some top in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities offering graduate-level online courses and programs.

1. University of Nevada Reno

The University of Nevada, Reno is among the Nevada schools offering some of the cheapest online master's degrees in the state. Students can pursue degree paths such as:

• business analytics
• cybersecurity
• behavioral analysis

Students can earn various internal and external scholarships at this school, and graduate assistantships and fellowships can provide tuition support. Though earning a free degree at this school is unlikely, the affordable tuition rates and financial aid options can help students greatly cut costs.

• Average in-state tuition: $6,210 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $24,352 per year
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, assistantships, fellowships, student loans, work-study
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

2. University of Nevada Las Vegas

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, commonly known as UNLV, also provides highly affordable online and on-campus degrees. Some of the online programs for graduate students include:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• healthcare administration
• public health

Graduate assistantships at UNLV can include tuition waivers, and military assistance is available. In addition, students can save money with numerous scholarships and a variety of federal and state financial aid options.

• Average in-state tuition: $6,899 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $27,088 per year
• Financial aid: Grants, student loans, scholarships, assistantships, military benefitss
• Accreditation: NWCCU

Other Low-Cost Online Master's Degrees in the U.S.

Nevada residents aren't limited to in-state schools. Some of the most affordable online master's programs in the country come from out-of-state institutions that charge the same rate no matter where students live. Others skip traditional tuition entirely. The following schools are worth a look if you want to compare costs beyond Nevada.

1. University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit online school that doesn't charge tuition. Instead, students pay a one-time application fee and an assessment fee for each course they take. Master's degree options include:

• business administration (MBA)
• information technology
• education (advanced teaching)

Assessment fees are $490 per course for the MBA and the M.S. in Information Technology and $440 per course for the M.Ed., which puts the total cost of each degree at roughly $5,800 to $6,000. UoPeople doesn't participate in federal financial aid programs, but students who can't afford the fees can apply for need-based scholarships. Students can also use employer tuition assistance.

• Tuition: None (assessment fees of $440 to $490 per course)
• Financial aid: Scholarships, employer tuition assistance
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

2. Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a private, nonprofit online school headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. It provides bachelor's and master's degrees to learners throughout the U.S. Graduate degree programs include:

• marketing
• special education
• computer science

The school charges affordable flat tuition rates per six-month term instead of per credit hour. Students can take as many courses as they can complete each term at no extra cost, which helps accelerated learners save big on their education. A variety of scholarships and financial aid options are also available.

• Average in-state tuition: $8,250–$10,300 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $8,250–$10,300 per year
• Financial aid: Federal aid, grants, scholarships, student loans
• Accreditation: NWCCU

3. Liberty University

Liberty University is a private Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia, that serves a large online enrollment of students from around the world. Some of its many online master's degrees include:

• information technology
• nutrition
• public safety

All online students pay the same affordable tuition rates, with discounted per-credit rates for full-time learners and reduced rates for military students. Students can also save on their college costs by using many forms of financial aid.

• Average in-state tuition: $10,800 per year
• Average out-of-state tuition: $10,800 per year
• Financial aid: Federal aid, scholarships, grants, student loans, military discounts
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

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.

No accredited school offers a completely free master's degree, so we focus on programs that come closest. That means schools with low tuition, programs that charge no traditional tuition at all, and schools with strong funding opportunities that can cover a large share of costs. For this list, we prioritized schools that Nevada residents can attend online at a reasonable price, using the following criteria:

• Accreditation: Every school on our list holds institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This helps ensure that degrees are widely recognized by employers and other schools.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compare average graduate tuition rates and look for flat-rate or residency-neutral online pricing. We also look for scholarships, assistantships, military discounts, and other aid that can lower out-of-pocket costs.
• Online availability: Each school offers master's degrees that students can complete fully online, so Nevada residents can enroll without relocating.
• Student outcomes: Where data is available, we consider measures such as graduation rates and graduates' earnings to gauge whether a program offers good value for its cost.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Paying for graduate school has changed in recent years, especially with new limits on federal student loans. Below are answers to some common questions about earning a low-cost online master's degree as a Nevada resident.

What Happened to Grad PLUS Loans?

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the federal Grad PLUS loan program closed to new borrowers on July 1, 2026. Graduate students who hadn't already borrowed Grad PLUS loans are now limited to Direct Unsubsidized Loans. These loans carry a cap of $20,500 per year and $100,000 total for most master's programs. As a result, choosing a school with low tuition is more important than ever for students who need to borrow.

Can I Use FAFSA at University of the People?

No. University of the People doesn't participate in federal financial aid programs, so students can't use Pell Grants or federal student loans to cover assessment fees. However, the school offers need-based scholarships, and its fees are low enough that many students pay out of pocket or use employer tuition assistance. Learn more about University of the People and FAFSA.

Can a Graduate Assistantship Make My Master's Degree Free?

In some cases, yes. Graduate assistants typically work part-time in teaching, research, or administrative roles in exchange for a stipend and full or partial tuition support. The University of Nevada, Reno offers 10-, 15-, and 20-hour assistantships with varying levels of tuition support. Keep in mind that assistantships are competitive and often go to on-campus students, so online learners should check with their program about availability.

Can Nevada Residents Pay In-State Tuition at Out-of-State Schools?

Sometimes. Through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), residents of participating western states can pay in-state tuition at select graduate programs in other member states, and Nevada is one of those states. Only certain programs participate, and some are offered online, so check each school's WRGP list before applying. Many online schools, such as WGU and Liberty University, also charge the same rate to all students regardless of where they live.

Find Affordable Online Master's Degrees

If you're ready to pursue full-time or part-time enrollment in an online graduate program, explore the schools featured here on Learn.org. Contact any of the colleges to find out more about how to get a free master's degree online and to choose the right program for you.