Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in New Jersey 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 can attend tuition-free online master's degrees by combining graduate assistantships with other forms of financial aid.

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

Accredited colleges don't offer 100% free master's degrees online, but financial aid can significantly reduce costs and, in some cases, cover tuition entirely. One of the best-known tuition-free options is the University of the People (UoPeople), an accredited online university that doesn't charge tuition for its master's programs. Students still pay assessment fees, though, so the total cost of a UoPeople master's degree runs roughly $5,650 to $5,940.

While tuition-free online colleges aren't available in every state, there are ways to earn an advanced degree online at a reduced rate. Work-study programs, graduate assistantships, scholarships, and financial aid can help reduce the cost of your tuition.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

There are a myriad of ways for graduate students to reduce their cost of attendance and make their master's degree more affordable. The following financial options can help online learners earn a high-quality degree.

• Applying for scholarships and grants: Both scholarships and grants are financial aid opportunities that do not have to be repaid, unlike loans. There are many internal options from universities and external opportunities from corporations and nonprofit organizations.
• Choosing an in-state school: Many universities offer reduced in-state tuition, even for online courses, allowing students to study at a more affordable rate. Some universities may even have reduced tuition rates for students from neighboring states.
• Military benefits: Numerous universities (both on-campus and online) offer military discounts. Various military branches also offer many tuition assistance programs.
• Seeking employer-sponsored tuition assistance: Many employers will help full-time employees achieve a relevant higher degree through tuition reimbursement or assistance programs. This may not cover full tuition, but it can make a sizeable impact on your overall cost of attendance.
• Taking advantage of federal funds through FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help students receive federal funding for their higher education. The TEACH Grant, for example, provides up to $3,772 per year to graduate students preparing to teach in high-need fields, as long as they complete a required teaching service commitment.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

These low-cost online graduate programs provide a quality education for a reduced rate and are all based in New Jersey or are available to New Jersey residents.

1. William Paterson University

William Paterson University offers a wide range of fully online master's degrees in business, education, and healthcare through WP Online, including a Master of Education in educational leadership. This 30-credit program can be completed in as few as 12 months.

Online students pay the same tuition whether they live in New Jersey or out of state, and the pay-as-you-go structure helps students budget one course at a time.

• Average in-state tuition: About $554 to $650 per credit for online education programs
• Average out-of-state tuition: About $554 to $650 per credit for online education programs
• Financial aid: Graduate students may qualify for graduate assistantships, student employment, tuition waiver programs, and tuition payment plans.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

2. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) offers a wide range of online degrees. Its Master of Business Administration (MBA) can be completed in about 15 months and offers six areas of study. Students in the MBA program will learn about business analytics, management, and leadership skills.

TESU also offers a master's flat-rate tuition option, which lets new graduate students lock in a single price for their entire degree. A graduate tuition payment plan is also available to help students manage costs.

• Average in-state tuition: $695 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $695 per credit
• Financial aid: Eligible students can choose flat-rate tuition of $18,000 per degree. Scholarships, federal financial aid, and payment plans are also available to graduate students.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

3. Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University offers several online master's degrees in business administration, public health, social work, and more. These programs are designed with working adults in mind, so students can advance their careers while continuing to work.

What makes Fairleigh Dickinson University stand out is its commitment to veterans. As a Yellow Ribbon participant with no cap on awards, FDU allows veterans with 100% Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to attend at no cost. Students should confirm that their program is approved for VA education benefits.

• Average in-state tuition: $721 to $1,115 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $721 to $1,115 per credit
• Financial aid: Fairleigh Dickinson University's Graduate Financial Aid Office is committed to helping students afford their education. Qualifying veterans may be eligible for a completely free education, and all students are encouraged to seek federal funding through the FAFSA.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

4. Seton Hall University

Seton Hall University is a Yellow Ribbon School, which means it partners with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help cover tuition costs that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill's limits. This, coupled with robust online graduate programs, makes it a more affordable school for military members.

There are online master's degrees in areas such as business, homeland security and cyber resilience, legal studies, and more. Seton Hall University also offers online graduate certificates, including a K-12 supervisor certificate.

• Average in-state tuition: $980 to $1,570 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $980 to $1,570 per credit
• Financial aid: As a Yellow Ribbon School, Seton Hall University offers generous financial aid for qualifying students. Scholarships, grants, and loans are also available to non-military students.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

5. Kean University

Kean University offers some of the most affordable online master's degrees in New Jersey. There are a variety of online master's degrees in education, including a fully online Master of Arts in special education with an option in learning and behavioral disabilities. The program requires 33 credits.

Qualifying students may be eligible for the TEACH Grant, which can provide up to $3,772 per academic year to students who commit to teaching in a high-need field. Part-time students may qualify for less funding than full-time students.

• Average in-state tuition: $994 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $994 per credit
• Financial aid: The TEACH Grant provides up to $3,772 per year to qualifying students. Merit-based and need-based scholarships are also available.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

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

New Jersey residents aren't limited to in-state schools when searching for an affordable online master's degree. Because online programs can be completed from anywhere, students can also consider low-cost and tuition-free colleges in other states. The school below doesn't charge tuition for its graduate programs, though students should still expect to pay some fees.

University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit, tuition-free online university. It offers three master's degrees: a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT), and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in advanced teaching. All coursework is completed online, so students can study on their own schedule while continuing to work.

Instead of tuition, UoPeople charges an assessment fee for each course a student completes. Students who can't afford these fees may apply for scholarships to help cover the cost.

Assessment fees: $490 per course (MBA and MSIT); $440 per course (M.Ed.)
Financial aid: Scholarships are available to help eligible 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.

No accredited school offers a completely free master's degree. So for this list, we focus on schools that keep graduate costs low through affordable tuition, flat-rate pricing, or strong funding opportunities such as veterans' benefits, scholarships, and grants. Each school was evaluated on the following factors:

• Accreditation: Every school on our list holds institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Accreditation affects eligibility for federal financial aid and how employers and other schools view your degree.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compare per-credit and total program costs for online graduate students. We also look at funding that can reduce or eliminate tuition, including Yellow Ribbon participation, TEACH Grant eligibility, flat-rate tuition plans, and institutional scholarships.
• Online availability: We prioritize programs that can be completed fully online, so working adults can earn their degree without relocating or commuting to campus.
• Student outcomes: We consider graduation rates and post-graduation earnings data where available. These measures help show whether a school delivers a strong return on investment.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

FAQs About Tuition-Free Online Master's Degrees in New Jersey

Paying for graduate school raises a lot of questions, especially as federal aid rules change. Below are answers to some common questions New Jersey students ask about affordable online master's degrees.

Can I Still Get Federal Loans for an Online Master's Degree?

Yes, but the rules changed on July 1, 2026. Grad PLUS loans are no longer available to new borrowers. Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with a $100,000 lifetime limit for graduate study. Students who need to cover a gap may want to look closely at lower-cost programs, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance before turning to private loans.

Can Veterans Earn a Master's Degree Online for Free in New Jersey?

In many cases, yes. Veterans who qualify for 100% of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits may be able to attend a Yellow Ribbon school at little or no cost, since the school and the VA split the tuition the GI Bill doesn't cover. Fairleigh Dickinson University, for example, places no cap on its Yellow Ribbon awards. Veterans should confirm that their chosen program is approved for VA education benefits before enrolling.

Do Out-of-State Students Pay More for Online Programs?

Not always. Several schools on this list charge the same online graduate rate regardless of where a student lives, including Fairleigh Dickinson University, Thomas Edison State University, William Paterson University, and Kean University. Kean has extended in-state tuition rates to all students starting in Fall 2026.

What Is Flat-Rate Tuition for a Master's Degree?

Flat-rate tuition lets students pay one set price for their entire degree instead of paying per credit. This can save money and protect students from future tuition increases. Thomas Edison State University, for example, offers a master's flat-rate option of $18,000 per degree for eligible programs.

Are Graduate Assistantships Available to Online Students?

Sometimes, but they're less common for fully online students. Assistantships often involve on-campus teaching, research, or administrative work in exchange for a tuition waiver or stipend. Online students should contact their school's graduate office directly to ask whether remote assistantships are available.

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

While these cheap online schools that accept FAFSA are not entirely free, they do offer generous scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid. It's important to remember that studying online already reduces the cost of attendance, so some universities may not afford as much aid to their online students.

Learn.org features high-quality, low-cost universities to help students achieve their academic goals at an affordable rate.