Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Ohio 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.

We can help you identify tuition-free online master's degrees by utilizing a combination of financial aid packages and bargain tuition rates. The key to earning a free master's degree online is enrolling in a low-cost program while applying for as many grants, scholarships, and other funding resources as possible. This article will show you the best ways to find tuition-free online master's degree programs in Ohio.

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

Although it is possible, with financial aid, to earn a very low-cost college degree, there aren’t any universities that offer an entirely free master’s degree online. The closest thing to a tuition-free college is the University of the People (UoPeople), but this institution still charges an application fee and a per-course assessment fee for its graduate programs. You’re welcome to explore some nearly free online colleges, but it’s also important to develop strategies to make your online master’s degree affordable through financial aid.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

There are several ways to avoid student loans and enjoy every convenience of online education at some of the cheapest online graduate schools. These effective strategies can help you graduate debt-free after full-time or part-time graduate study.

• Look for military discounts: Service members, veterans, and military spouses can qualify for deep tuition discounts at many schools. Liberty University, for example, charges eligible military students a reduced rate of $310 per credit hour for online master’s programs in 2026-2027.
• Stay in-state: If you live in Ohio, focusing on in-state enrollment will generally be cheaper. That said, several Ohio public universities charge out-of-state online students only a few dollars more per credit hour than residents, so it’s worth comparing online rates directly.
• Apply for scholarships: Many colleges extend need-based and merit-based scholarships to online graduate students, and some offer awards for specific groups, such as Ohio teachers. Strong undergraduate grades can improve your chances, though full-tuition awards at the graduate level are competitive.
• Explore state and school resources: There are plenty of Ohio-based and school-specific financial aid opportunities if you know where to look for them. Ohio.gov offers an overview of state grants and scholarships, though most state programs are aimed at undergraduates, so graduate students should also check with their school’s financial aid office and academic department.
• Get Federal Funding: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step toward federal aid. Pell Grants are generally reserved for undergraduates, but graduate students may qualify for the TEACH Grant, which awards up to $4,000 per year to future teachers who commit to working in high-need fields, as well as federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans.
• Look for corporate tuition reimbursement: Many employers offer tuition reimbursement, and some universities partner with businesses to offer discounted tuition to their employees. Depending on your employer’s eligibility requirements, these programs can cover 50% or even 100% of tuition costs.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Below are some examples of schools offering some of the least expensive graduate programs. These are accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA and work with students to reduce their degree expenses.

1. Central State University

Central State University offers affordable master’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and other credentials through convenient online learning resources. This includes the school’s 100% online Master of Business Administration (MBA), a 36-credit program that students can complete in as little as one academic year.

The MBA program helps graduate students build expertise in managerial accounting, investments, leadership, and other core business topics, with an optional specialization in project management. Out-of-state students who earned their bachelor’s degree from an Ohio institution may qualify for the in-state rate.

• Average in-state tuition: $550 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $650 per credit hour
• Financial aid: You can qualify for graduate-level scholarships and grants after completing the FAFSA.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. University of Akron

The University of Akron offers 14 online graduate degrees in applied politics, polymer engineering, public health, social work, speech-language pathology, and more. This Ohio research university offers assistantships and a limited number of fellowships, and it helps graduate students pursue external funding opportunities. Students in fully online programs pay nearly the same rate regardless of residency.

• Average in-state tuition: $600 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $601 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Funding opportunities include grants, scholarships, fellowships, research assistantships, and private loans.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Kent State University

Kent State University offers nearly 20 online master’s degrees at different tuition costs. Two of its most affordable master’s degrees are in accounting and business analytics.

Each of these degrees carries an estimated total tuition cost of about $13,100 for students who enroll full-time, or about $17,800 for part-time students. You can reduce these costs even further with an array of funding opportunities through Kent State’s “Scholarship Universe” platform.

• Average in-state tuition: $631 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $641 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The university offers graduate students and international students many ways to secure funding through scholarships, grants, and loans.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Miami University

Miami University’s standard graduate tuition is higher for non-Ohio residents, but several of its graduate programs use flat, market-driven rates that are the same regardless of where you live. One of the most affordable is Project Dragonfly, which leads to a master’s degree in biology. Students complete their core courses online and earn the rest of their credits through international field courses (Global Field Program) or hybrid courses at partner institutions (Advanced Inquiry Program).

Ohio teachers enrolled in Miami’s standard-rate graduate programs may also qualify for the Ohio TEAM Scholarship, which lowers instructional and general fees by 25%. Note that the TEAM Scholarship can’t be combined with market-driven programs like Project Dragonfly.

• Average in-state tuition: $455 per credit hour (Project Dragonfly online and field courses; $580 for hybrid Web+ courses)
• Average out-of-state tuition: $455 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, and other funding opportunities are available after completing the FAFSA.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University’s online Master of Social Work (MSW) program is among its most affordable, with competitive tuition rates of less than $660 per credit hour for Ohio residents and out-of-state students alike. The program is offered 100% online, and students complete their field practicum requirements locally rather than traveling to campus.

Cleveland State offers a 60-credit traditional track and a 30-credit advanced standing track for students with a bachelor’s in social work. Online learners can pursue either track on a part-time or full-time schedule, preparing them for a growing job market for credentialed social workers.

• Average in-state tuition: $655.90 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $656.90 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Complete the FAFSA using school code 003032 to be considered for federal, state, and institutional aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans.
• Accreditation: HLC

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

Ohio doesn’t have any tuition-free graduate programs, but students who are open to studying at an online college outside the state have at least one alternative. Tuition-free institutions are rare, and even these schools charge some fees, but their total costs can still come in well below what most public universities charge for a master’s degree.

University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit, tuition-free online university. Instead of charging tuition, it charges a per-course assessment fee. Graduate students can choose from three 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. Courses are delivered entirely online, so students can complete their coursework from anywhere.

UoPeople also partners with donors and organizations to offer scholarships that can cover some or all of a student’s assessment fees, which makes it one of the lowest-cost paths to a master’s degree in the U.S.

Assessment fee (MBA and MSIT): $490 per course
Assessment fee (M.Ed.): $440 per course
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 school offers a completely free online master’s degree. So for this list, we focused on Ohio colleges that keep graduate costs low through affordable per-credit rates, small or no out-of-state surcharges for online students, and strong funding opportunities. We compared current tuition rates for online graduate programs and then evaluated each school using the following criteria:

• Accreditation: Every school on our list holds institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, such as the Higher Learning Commission. Where relevant, we also note programmatic accreditation, such as CSWE accreditation for social work programs.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compare per-credit tuition rates for online master’s programs, including whether out-of-state online students pay more than Ohio residents. We also consider the availability of graduate scholarships, grants, assistantships, and discounts for groups such as teachers and military members.
• Online availability: We prioritize schools that offer master’s degrees fully or mostly online. If a program includes in-person requirements, such as field courses or local practicums, we say so.
• Student outcomes: We review metrics such as graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to make sure affordable programs also deliver long-term value.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Online Master’s Degrees in Ohio

Paying for graduate school takes some planning, especially with recent changes to federal student aid. Below are answers to some common questions about earning an affordable online master’s degree in Ohio.

Do Out-of-State Students Pay More for Online Master’s Programs in Ohio?

Not always. Some Ohio public universities charge out-of-state students in fully online programs only slightly more than residents. For example, the University of Akron and Cleveland State University charge non-residents just $1 more per credit hour for many online programs, and Kent State University adds a $10 per-credit surcharge. Policies vary by school and program, so check the online tuition rate before you apply.

Can Graduate Students Still Get Grad PLUS Loans?

Not if you’re starting a new program. The federal Grad PLUS loan program was eliminated for new borrowers on July 1, 2026. Graduate students who begin a new program on or after that date can borrow federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans up to $20,500 per year, with a lifetime limit of $100,000. Students who received a Grad PLUS loan before July 1, 2026, may be able to keep borrowing under the old rules for a limited time. These caps make choosing a low-cost program and finding grants and scholarships more important than ever.

Are There Tuition Discounts for Ohio Teachers Earning a Master’s Degree?

Yes. Some Ohio universities offer discounts for licensed educators. Miami University’s Ohio TEAM Scholarship, for example, reduces instructional and general fees by 25% for full-time Ohio teachers and administrators in eligible graduate programs. Teachers may also qualify for the federal TEACH Grant, which provides up to $4,000 per year to students who agree to teach in a high-need field at a school serving low-income families.

Is Financial Aid Available for Online Master’s Degree Programs?

Yes. Students in accredited online programs are generally eligible for the same federal aid as on-campus students, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans and, for future teachers, TEACH Grants. To apply, complete the FAFSA each year. Many universities also open their institutional scholarships and grants to online learners, so contact your school’s financial aid office to learn what’s available.

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

We hope this helps you find affordable ways to earn an online master's degree without sacrificing program quality. You can use Learn.org to research everything about online graduate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and other advanced degrees in several exciting fields.