10 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in Louisiana 2025

Some students choose only to pursue a bachelor's degree, while others opt to further their studies with a master's degree. In some fields, a master's degree is necessary for a career, while in others, it helps you further your career options.

Master's degrees usually take about two years of full-time study. Many schools offer online options, which are ideal for busy adults who can't take time from their jobs or other responsibilities to learn on campus.

There are several affordable master's degree online across the U.S. Keep reading to learn more about cheap online master's degrees in Louisiana.

10 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Louisiana

The most affordable online colleges tend to be public schools, although there are a few highly affordable private schools as well. Below, we've highlighted the schools that offer the most affordable online master's programs in Louisiana.

1. Nicholls State University

Nicholls State University is a public university in Thibodaux, LA. It offers a handful of online master's degrees in fields like business administration, educational leadership, mathematics, and nutrition.

The school charges a tuition rate of $236.90 per credit hour for most programs; the MBA is an additional $50 per credit, which equals $286.90 per credit hour. Out-of-state students may pay an additional cost depending on the program and their state of residency.

• Average cost per credit hour: $236.90 per credit
• Financial aid: Nicholls State accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Southeastern Louisiana University

At Southeastern Louisiana University, students can choose from four online master's degrees. Areas of study are child life, nursing, population health management, and strategic communication. An online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is available online as well.

Southeastern Louisiana University is a public institution in Hammond, LA. It charges an estimated tuition of $286 per credit hour for in-state residents and $806 for out-of-state residents. However, the nursing programs are fully funded, meaning students in these programs often do not pay any tuition at all.

• Average cost per credit hour: $286 per credit
• Financial aid: Southeastern offers institutional aid, including scholarships. It is also one of the cheapest online colleges that accept FAFSA, as well as other private sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Louisiana State University in Shreveport

Louisiana State University in Shreveport offers nearly two dozen master's degrees online. LSUS is a public university in Shreveport, LA.

Online graduate degrees are available in fields like business administration, curriculum and instruction, data analytics, and healthcare administration. Tuition depends on the program; Master of Education (MEd) programs cost $374 per credit, while Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs cost $479 per credit and Master of Public Health (MPH) is $775 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $511 per credit
• Financial aid: LSUS offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Through the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, students will find multiple associate degrees online. Areas of study include business administration, informatics, nursing, and systems technology. An online Doctor of Nursing Practice is also available.

ULL, located in Lafayette, LA, is a public research institution. Tuition varies by program, with rates starting at $387 per credit hour and going up to $480 per credit. The DNP is also $480 per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $434 per credit
• Financial aid: ULL accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid options.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Louisiana Christian University

Louisiana Christian University is a private Baptist institution in Pineville, LA. It offers a handful of online master's degree programs in fields like educational leadership, social work, special education, and strategic leadership.

The online teaching programs have a tuition rate of $412 per credit hour. All other online master's degrees at LCU cost $442 per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $442 per credit
• Financial aid: LCU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid like scholarships, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Louisiana State University

Students at Louisiana State University will find nearly 20 online master's degrees. Areas of study include data analytics, environmental sciences, liberal arts, and public administration.

The flagship LSU campus is a public research university located in Baton Rouge, LA. Like other schools, tuition depends on the program you choose. Rates start at $459 per credit for education programs and go up to $1,110 for the MBA.

• Average cost per credit hour: $784.50 per credit
• Financial aid: LSU offers institutional financial aid opportunities. It also accepts aid from the FAFA and private sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Northwestern State University

Northwestern State University offers over a dozen online degree programs to online students. NSU is a public university based in Natchitoches, LA.

Online programs are available in fields like computer science, elementary education, healthcare, and homeland security, many of which offer additional concentrations. Tuition at NSU costs $475 per credit for online graduate students.

• Average cost per credit hour: $475 per credit
• Financial aid: NSU offers institutional financial aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Louisiana Tech University

Several online master's degrees and graduate certificates can be found at Louisiana Tech University. Areas of study include engineering, English, healthcare informatics, and social sciences.

Louisiana Tech, located in Ruston, LA, is a public research university. It charges $475 per credit hour for all online graduate programs, regardless of the award or area of study.

• Average cost per credit hour: $475 per credit
• Financial aid: Louisiana Tech accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid options.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Southern University and A&M College

Southern University is a public historically Black university (HBCU) in Baton Rouge, LA. It offers three online master's degrees: an MBA with several concentrations, a Master of Science (MS) in criminal justice, and an MS in public administration.

Tuition for online learners in graduate programs is $475 per credit hour before additional fees and costs. Note that this is the price for the first nine credits of a semester; after nine, the price shifts to $100 per credit hour for every additional credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $475 per credit
• Financial aid: Southern University accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid programs, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. University of Louisiana at Monroe

Through the University of Louisiana at Monroe, students can choose from various online master's degrees. Areas of study include curriculum and instruction, English, information technology, and public administration.

This public university is located in Monroe, LA. It charges $500 per credit hour for online learning at the graduate level. Some individual programs may have additional fees and charges.

• Average cost per credit hour: $500 per credit
• Financial aid: ULA offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the affordable online master's programs listed above, we focused on:

• Location: All schools on this list are located in Louisiana.
• Accreditation: We only looked at public and nonprofit private schools that are regionally accredited.
• Affordability: Once we determined which accredited schools in Louisiana offer online master's degrees, we narrowed them down to the most affordable ones.
• Program reputation: All schools listed are known for offering quality higher education programs to students.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in Louisiana

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about cheap online master's degrees in Louisiana.

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

All the programs on our above list offer online master's degrees in Louisiana for $500 or less per credit hour. However, the total cost of your program will depend on several factors.

First, it will depend on the type of program you choose. MEd degrees are often the least expensive, while MBAs, as some of the highest-paying master's degrees, are commonly the most expensive. Master of Science and Master of Arts (MA) degrees often fall somewhere in the middle.

The school you choose can also have a significant impact. Public schools often charge less, but even their tuition rates can vary wildly. While some public schools in Louisiana, like Tulane University, charge more than $1,000 per credit hour, others, like Louisiana Christian, are far more affordable.

If you have earned graduate credits already, your overall cost will be reduced. Some schools allow students to take graduate-level coursework while in the final year of their bachelor's degree program.

Finally, your cost will depend on financial aid. There are a variety of financial aid options for students to choose from.

What Is the Cheapest Online School in Louisiana?

The cheapest online four-year institution in Louisiana is generally Nicholls State University and Southeastern Louisiana University, which both charge less than $300 per credit hour for master's degrees.

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

The easiest master's degree to get online will depend on your strengths and your areas of interest. However, most students find MBAs to be relatively easy compared to degrees focused on becoming a teacher or nurse practitioner.

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

The best way to pay for your master's degree is through financial aid. All students should start by filling out the FAFSA each year to see what federal and state aid they qualify for.

Many institutions also offer financial aid options, like scholarships or assistantships, to help students cover their costs. Additionally, you can look for scholarships through private entities, like businesses and industry organizations.

Discover Online Graduate Programs

Crush your education goals by exploring the affordable graduate degrees offered on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.