10 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in Alabama 2025

Master's degrees have never been more accessible, with many schools offering flexible, affordable online master's programs that can be completed entirely online (without any on-campus requirements). The cheapest online master's degree programs across the U.S. provide opportunities to increase knowledge and skills without an overwhelming price tag.

Several schools within Alabama offer cheap online master's degree programs, with options in different fields of study. Continue reading to discover the 10 schools that offer the cheapest online master's degrees in Alabama.

10 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Alabama

Alabama is home to several dozen of the most affordable online colleges offering online master's degree programs, but the costs vary greatly from school to school. The 10 schools listed below offer the lowest tuition rates for online master's degrees in the state, while meeting academic standards of quality, flexibility, and accessibility.

1. Athens State University

Athens State University has multiple online graduate programs and a focus on flexibility and accessibility for learners. This institution offers online master's degree programs in various fields, including business and education, as well as programs in art, computer science, and religion.

Online tuition is an affordable $369 per credit hour for all master's degrees or graduate certificate programs, from the Master of Science in Cybersecurity to the Master of Business in Strategic Human Resource Management. Athens State University is also an affordable online college that accepts FAFSA, meaning you may qualify for federal aid to reduce tuition costs further.

• Average cost per credit hour: $369
• Financial aid: The school accepts FAFSA and outside aid, and awards more than $1,000,000 in aid to students each year.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

2. Spring Hill College

Spring Hill College maintains its early founding principles in seeking to develop responsible and motivational leaders through accessible and high-quality learning experiences.

The school offers several online master's degree programs, with tuition rates ranging from $390 to $555 per credit hour. The master's degree programs in theology, humanities, nursing, and public health are the cheapest ($390 to $420), while the Master of Business Administration program has a higher tuition rate ($555).

• Average cost per credit hour: $390 to $555
• Financial aid: In addition to other public and private aid, students may be eligible for partnership discounts on tuition and/or military discounts.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State University, otherwise known as Jax State, has been called the 'friendliest campus in the south,' and offers several dozen different online master's degree programs. With a tuition rate of $410 per credit hour, it has some of the most affordable master's degrees in the state of Alabama. Students can earn a master's degree in a wide variety of fields, including business administration, education, public administration, history, and criminal justice.

• Average cost per credit hour: $410
• Financial aid: Jacksonville State University accepts outside aid as well as offers competitive and business partnership scholarships.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. University of West Alabama

The University of West Alabama (UWA) has more than two dozen online master's degree programs to choose from, as well as online doctoral degrees in business or education. Online students can select from master's degrees in marketing, education, counseling, biology, business, sports management, and data science. Graduate students have a tuition rate of $429, making UWA's programs some of the cheapest online master's degree options in the state.

• Average cost per credit hour: $429
• Financial aid: UWA offers special discounts for military students and those pursuing teaching, as well as accepts outside financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Auburn University at Montgomery

Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) offers close to 30 online master's degree programs, as well as doctoral programs in education and nursing. The tuition for all online graduate programs is $469 per credit hour (in-state), and AUM has various types of scholarships that may bring it down even more.

Whether you're interested in higher education, business administration, information technology, or one of many other fields, AUM provides flexible and affordable master's degrees for a wide variety of career interests.

• Average cost per credit hour: $469
• Financial aid: AUM accepts both public and private financial aid, and offers a variety of its own general and field-specific scholarships.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama at Birmingham, or UAB, encourages students to be curious, think innovatively, and pursue lifelong growth. Graduate students can pursue certificates and master's degrees online, with several unique programs available across fields of study. Unique options include a certificate or master's degree in artificial intelligence in medicine, a dual focus of business and dentistry, and disability health studies.

Learners can choose from an array of affordable online graduate certificates or degree programs for around $500 per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $472 to $541
• Financial aid: In addition to external aid, UAB offers graduate assistantships, fellowships, grants and scholarships.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Troy University

Troy University was originally established as a teachers' training school in 1887, and continues to be committed to student growth and success. Troy offers many online graduate certificates, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees, with tuition rates of $475 (graduate) to $550 (doctoral) per credit hour. Some of the master's degree options include programs in education, computer science, social sciences, nursing, and counseling.

• Average cost per credit hour: $475
• Financial aid: Troy University offers its own military and transfer student scholarships, as well as provides a tool for finding external scholarships.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Alabama State University

Alabama State University (ASU) offers several different master's degree programs online across several different fields of study. Programs offered include a Master of Education (MEd), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and master's degrees in technology, history, counseling, and accountancy. As a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), ASU integrates a community focus within its programs, while maintaining an affordable and high-quality educational experience for students.

• Average cost per credit hour: $477
• Financial aid: In addition to external sources of financial aid, ASU offers several dozen donor trust scholarships as well as scholarships for specific fields of study.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

9. The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama (UA) offers many affordable online graduate certificates and degrees, all of which have a tuition rate of $480 per credit hour. Whether you are looking for a Master of Arts in Special Education, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, or a doctoral degree in social work, UA has online graduate programs in a vast range of fields of study.

• Average cost per credit hour: $480
• Financial aid: UA offers several scholarships and grants, including one that covers the cost of a student's first class.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. University of South Alabama

The University of South Alabama, or 'South,' provides and engaging and collaborative environment for students. South offers several affordable online graduate degrees, including doctoral degrees in computing and nursing, as well as master's degree options in nursing, education and business. Online graduate tuition ranges from $480 to $594 per credit hour, with most programs costing $505 or less per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $480 to $594
• Financial aid: The school accepts outside aid, and offers an online directory of several different types of scholarships.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

Our team considered a key set of criteria to compile the best list of affordable online master's degrees in Alabama. The following criteria informed our rank list:

• Accreditation: All featured schools are regionally accredited, meaning they have met certain academic and quality standards.
• Affordability: The schools listed offer the most affordable tuition rates for online master's degree programs in Alabama.
• Program reputation: These online master's degree programs can be completed online, blending affordability with quality and flexibility.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in Alabama

There are a few common questions regarding online master's degree programs in Alabama, from the costs that they involve as well as the length of time it takes to complete one. Cost and time vary by student, school, and program, but the following answers provide a general idea of what you can expect.

How Much Does an Online Master's Degree Cost in Alabama?

Many master's degree programs require 30 to 45 credit hours of coursework. Based on the tuition rates for the schools listed above, you can expect to pay between a range of about $11,000 to $27,00, although most of these programs would be less than $20,000 in total tuition.

While tuition is the primary cost involved, each school also has its own fees that will apply. These estimates do not take into account any potential scholarships or other aid.

Can I Get Free Tuition for a Master's Degree in Alabama?

There are several avenues for obtaining aid and other resources to pay for your online master's degree program. Not only do many universities offer in-house scholarship opportunities, but there are also countless scholarships and grants available from both private and public entities, as well as other programs such as fellowships and employer tuition assistance.

What Is the Easiest Master's Degree To Get Online?

The easiest online master's degree programs are typically those without stringent entrance requirements (such as the GMAT) that allow students flexibility and the opportunity to complete them in a shorter amount of time. Master's degree programs in business administration and related fields, as well as those in communication and computer science, are often considered to be easiest to complete.

If you're looking for the best return on your investment, look at the highest-paying master's degrees during your selection process.

How Long Does an Online Master's Program Take?

The length of time that an online master's degree program takes depends on the amount of coursework required as well as how many courses a student takes each semester.

A 36-credit-hour master's program might traditionally take two years, if taking 18 credits in both the spring and fall semesters. However, students can choose to take more classes and/or utilize the summer semester and finish a 36-credit program in under 18 months. Students who already have graduate coursework beyond a bachelor's degree can typically finish a program even faster.

Explore Online Graduate Degrees

Explore Learn.org to discover more affordable and online master's degree programs that interest you. Reach out to a school and find out more about online programs, scholarships, and enrollment information.