Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in Hawaii 2025

Colleges and universities in Hawai'i and across the U.S. offer affordable online bachelor's degrees to help students reach their career goals.

Many students choose to further their higher education by pursuing a master's degree. These degrees usually take about two years of full-time study and are often available online. For busy students, online learning is much more flexible than learning in person.

Many schools in the U.S. offer affordable online master's degree programs. Keep reading to discover the affordable online master's programs in Hawai'i.

Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Hawaii

The cheapest online colleges in Hawai'i tend to be public schools. Two of these schools offer cheap online master's degrees, and we've featured them below.

1. University of Hawai'i at Hilo

The University of Hawai'i at Hilo is a public institution in Hilo, HI. It offers online master's degrees in counseling psychology education. Note that both programs may require some on-campus experiences.

In-state tuition at UH Hilo is $489 per credit hour for graduate programs. Students who do not live in Hawai'i pay $1,107 per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $489
• Financial aid: UH Hilo accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It also offers institutional aid and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

2. University of Hawai'i at Manoa

At the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, students can earn a handful of master's degrees online. Areas of study include counseling, education, learning design and technology, and nursing.

This public research university is located in Honolulu, HI. In-state students pay a tuition rate of $680 per credit, while out-of-state students pay $1,402.

• Average cost per credit hour: $680
• Financial aid: UH Manoa offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: WSCUC

Other Affordable Online Master's Programs

Hawai'i is a small state with a high cost of living, so there aren't a lot of affordable online master's programs on the islands. However, residents can earn online degrees through schools in other states without ever leaving paradise. Below, we've featured some other schools with affordable online master's degrees.

University of the People

University of the People offers three online master's degrees. The private, nonprofit online school is based in Pasadena, CA, and does not charge for tuition.

Instead, students pay a $60 application fee and an assessment fee for each online course. The Master of Education (MEd) degree is $350 per course, for a grand total of $4,610 for the program. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science (MS) in information technology are $400 per course for a total of $4,800.

• Average cost per credit hour: Free
• Financial aid: University of the People offers institutional aid and accepts private financial aid, but cannot accept FAFSA.
• Accreditation: WASCUC

Georgia Southern University

Dozens of master's degrees are available through online learning at Georgia Southern University. Areas of study include criminal justice, educational leadership, public administration, and social sciences.

Georgia Southern, located in Statesboro, GA, is a public research university. Tuition starts at $284 per credit for teaching and education programs and goes up to $757 for the online MBA. Most online degrees here are around $367 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $367
• Financial aid: Georgia Southern accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Northeastern State University

Northeastern State University is a public university based in Tahlequah, OK. It offers online master's degrees in fields like health science, information technology, nursing, and special education.

Tuition for Oklahoma residents is $290.92 per credit hour. However, out-of-state online students don't pay much more, just $291.92 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $291.92
• Financial aid: NSU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Campbellsville University

Students at Campbellsville University can choose from a variety of master's degrees online. Fields of study include computer science, data science, human resources, and social work.

This private Christian school is located in Campbellsville, KY. Tuition depends on the program, with rates starting at $319 per credit for the online education and teaching programs, and going up to $603 per credit for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

• Average cost per credit hour: $480
• Financial aid: Campbellsville Univeristy offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University is a public institution in Russellville, AR, that offers several online master's degrees.

Online degrees are available in majors like emergency management, healthcare informatics, higher education, and history. Tuition at the college is $323.94 per credit hour for distance learning students.

• Average cost per credit hour: $323.94
• Financial aid: Arkansas Tech offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

Dickinson State University

Several online degree programs are available through Dickinson State University. Areas of study include business administration, educational leadership, entrepreneurship, and sports administration.

Dickinson State, located in Dickinson, ND, is a public university. Tuition here is $336.67 per credit hour for online students.

• Average cost per credit hour: $336.67
• Financial aid: Dickinson State accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

California State University, Dominguez Hills

California State University, Dominguez Hills is a public institution in Carson, CA. It offers online master's degrees in fields like negotiation, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding (NCRP), quality assurance, radiologic and imaging science, and systems engineering.

The tuition rate at CSUDH varies by program. The least expensive option is the degree in NCRP, which is $337 per credit, and the most expensive is the Master of Public Administration (MPA) at $600 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $480
• Financial aid: CSUDH accepts FAFSA, offers institutional financial aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: WASCUC

Eastern Illinois University

Through Eastern Illinois University, online learners will find a variety of master's degrees. Areas of study include business administration, cybersecurity, English, and healthcare.

EIU is a public university located in Charleston, IL. Tuition here is $344.25 per credit hour, regardless of where the student lives.

• Average cost per credit hour: $344.25
• Financial aid: EIU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the online programs listed above, our methodology focused on:

• Accreditation: All the schools on this list are four-year public or private nonprofit schools that are regionally accredited.
• Affordability: Once we determined which accredited schools in Hawai'i offer master's degrees through online or distance education, we looked at which offer affordable tuition prices.
• Program reputation: All schools on this list are known for offering high-quality online programs.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in Hawaii

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about online master's programs in Hawai'i.

Does the University of Hawaii Offer Online Degrees?

The University of Hawai'i System is made up of ten two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Of those, two offer master's degrees: the University of Hawai'i at Manoa and the University of Hawai'i at Hilo. Both offer a few online master's degree options.

How Can I Get My Master's Degree If I Can't Afford It?

Most graduate students can't pay for their coursework out of pocket. To help finance your degree, look for cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA.

In addition to financial aid from FAFSA, you can also look for scholarships and grants through your university or private organizations. If you have a job, you can also see if your employer offers tuition assistance.

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

The easiest master's degree to get online will depend on your skill set and your bachelor's degree education. However, one of the degrees that's commonly considered the easiest to earn online is an MBA. As a bonus, this is also one of the highest-paying master's degrees.

What Is the Cheapest University in Hawaii?

Four accredited universities in Hawai'i offer online master's degrees. Of them, the least expensive is the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, which charges in-state students $489 per credit. The other universities are:

• University of Hawai'i at Manoa, which charges in-state residents $650 per credit
• Hawaii Pacific University, with a tuition rate starting at $810 per credit
• Chaminade University of Honolulu, which starts its tuition at $925 per credit

Discover Online Graduate Degrees

Find the perfect online master's degree by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.