10 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in Massachusetts 2025

A master's degree often serves as a gateway to top careers in leadership with higher pay. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workers with this level of education earn hundreds more per week than individuals with bachelor's degrees.

Are you eager to earn a master's degree in Massachusetts but have a busy work schedule or budget limitations? Affordable online master's programs with flexible courses are available throughout the state. Keep reading to find out where to earn a cheap master's degree online.

10 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Massachusetts

Online education is a great option for students with little time to attend classes on campus. If you're looking for ways to save on a graduate program, review the following list of schools to find cheap online master's degrees in Massachusetts.

1. Salem State University

Whether learners want to advance their law enforcement careers or take their social work roles to new heights, graduate-level online learning opportunities at Salem State University can help. The institution offers an online Master of Science (MS) in criminal justice, Master of Social Work (MSW), and MS in geo-information science.

Students in the education field can choose from Master of Education (MEd) programs in early childhood education, elementary education, reading curriculum, special education, and beyond. Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) licensure programs for Spanish educators are also available.

• Average cost per credit hour: $140 (in-state)
• Financial aid: Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) qualifies eligible students for institutional scholarships, federal loans, and other financial aid.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. Framingham State University

At Framingham State University, students choose from over a dozen hybrid and online master's degrees in business, counseling, education, and more. Program options include a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), Master of Human Resources (MHR), and Master of Public Administration (MPA).

MEd degrees help to advance education roles in early childhood education, educational technology, literacy and language, and secondary education. The university offers an academic success center, student advising, career guidance, and other services to help learners excel in their studies and beyond.

• Average cost per credit hour: Starting at $221
• Financial aid: Eligible enrollees can reduce school costs with scholarships and student loans.
• Accreditation: NECHE

3. Fitchburg State University

Working adults looking to progress in their field or switch careers will find dozens of accredited online master's programs at Fitchburg State University. Degree options include an MS in criminal justice, Master of Arts (MA) in history, and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Students pursuing online MBA programs can consider finance, marketing, management, and many other concentrations. For learners interested in online education degrees, the university has over 20 MEd programs.

• Average cost per credit hour: Starting at $233
• Financial aid: The university provides scholarships, work-study jobs, student loans, and other assistance to help learners save.
• Accreditation: NECHE

4. Cambridge College

Cambridge College in Boston offers flexible, fully online degrees with asynchronous courses that learners can access anytime. Over 30 fully online programs are available, including several for students seeking master's degrees that pay well.

Program options include an MBA taught entirely in Spanish, a traditional MBA, and an MPA. MEd degrees are available in school nurse education and psychological studies. Additional master's programs include an MS in accounting and an MS in finance.

• Average cost per credit hour: Starting at $299
• Financial aid: Grad students can use federal work-study jobs and student loans to save.
• Accreditation: NECHE

5. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Learners at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth can choose from over half a dozen online graduate programs for varying career paths. A Master of Art Education (MAE), MBA, MS in accounting, and MS in computer science are a few programs to consider.

UMass Dartmouth also offers master's degrees in healthcare management, nursing, public policy, and technology management. Enrollees taking online courses are supported via academic advising, library access, and technical services.

• Average cost per credit hour: Starting at $422
• Financial aid: Scholarships, loans, and additional financial aid offerings help learners cover the cost of earning a degree.
• Accreditation: NECHE

6. Westfield State University

Students ready to advance their accounting and social work careers can find reputable master's degrees at Westfield State University. The MS in accounting, which offers coursework in a combination of on-campus, online, hybrid, and remote synchronous formats, fulfills the 150-hour requirement for the professional certification as a public accountant.

WSU's MSW program enables students to learn on campus or online and offers specializations in substance use and addictions, health social work, and Latinx community health. These programs have no GRE, GMAT, or MAT requirements.

• Average cost per credit hour: Starting at $431
• Financial aid: MS in accounting students can pursue assistantships and scholarships from the AICPA and the Massachusetts Society of CPAs. The MSW program offers assistantships and Department of Children and Families Fellowships.
• Accreditation: NECHE

7. University of Massachusetts Lowell

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is home to online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs across various disciplines. Students looking for reputable online master's degrees can find programs in business, criminal justice, technology, education, and beyond.

Options include MBA, MA in criminal justice, MS in security studies with a cybersecurity concentration, MEd, and MS in information technology degrees. To enhance online learners' educational experiences, UMass Lowell provides academic advising, library resources, tech support, and more.

• Average cost per credit hour: Starting at $470
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, and loans are available for graduate students at UMass Lowell.
• Accreditation: NECHE

8. Merrimack College

Online master's degrees in various fields of study are offered at Merrimack College for learners ready to qualify for a doctoral program or make a career shift. Prospective students can choose from an MBA program, several MEd degrees, and MSN options in nursing education and population health.

Additional programs include accounting, clinical mental health counseling, data science, and spiritual direction. Tutoring, writing support, and success coaching help enhance learners' academic journeys.

• Average cost per credit hour: Starting at $600
• Financial aid: Fellowships, scholarships, student loans, and other aid reduce costs for graduate students.
• Accreditation: NECHE

9. Lasell University

At Lasell University, online and hybrid master's degrees are offered in communications, criminal justice, business administration, sport science, and beyond. Specific degrees include MS in integrated marketing communication, MBA in human resources, MS in marketing, and MS in applied sport science analytics programs.

Online learners can access various resources provided at Lasell to help them succeed from enrollment to graduation. Enrollment counseling, academic advising, library access, and career development are a few to consider.

• Average cost per credit hour: Starting at $675
• Financial aid: Graduate students can use scholarships, assistantships, fellowships, and other aid to lower tuition and fees.
• Accreditation: NECHE

10. University of Massachusetts Global

The University of Massachusetts Global offers over a dozen master's degree core areas and over 30 concentrations for students looking to focus their studies. Areas of interest include healthcare, business, human resources, leadership, social work, and education.

Among UMass Global's graduate programs is an MA in organizational leadership that follows the self-paced MyPath learning format. This degree has continuous start dates, uses competencies to measure student progress, and bills a single fee every six months.

• Average cost per credit hour: $730 (standard online degrees); $3,800 every six months (MyPath program)
• Financial aid: Eligible students who submit the FAFSA form can qualify for loans and other aid.
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

How We Rank Schools

Our team picked the colleges and universities in this rank list via a rigorous vetting process to ensure they met the following criteria for delivering a high-quality education:

• Accreditation: Each institution has received accreditation from nationally recognized organizations like the NECHE and WSCUC.
• Affordability: The schools in this list make learning more affordable with lower tuition rates, assistantships, scholarships, and other financial aid.
• Program reputation: We confirmed that these institutions offer quality college degree programs for on-campus and online students.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in Massachusetts

Is pursuing a master's degree worth it? Yes, especially when you find an affordable online master's degree program. But before taking the next step, review the frequently asked questions below to learn more about these degrees.

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

Online master's degrees are very affordable in Massachusetts ?institutions like Salem State University charge as little as $140 per credit in tuition. However, rates generally vary from school to school based on various factors like residency (in-state vs. out-of-state), enrollment status (full-time vs. part-time), program of study (e.g., nonprofit management vs. health informatics), and degree type (e.g., MSN vs. MBA).

Is There Financial Aid for Online Master's Programs in Massachusetts?

Yes, students pursuing online graduate degrees in Massachusetts can reduce the cost of attendance with help from financial aid. Some options for learners in master's programs include:

• fellowships
• assistantships (teaching- and research-based)
• scholarships (institutional and private)
• federal financial aid (work-study jobs and student loans)
• employer tuition reimbursement

Are Online Master's Degrees Cheaper Than In-Person Programs?

Tuition costs for in-person and online master's degrees are often comparable. Depending on your chosen school, you might find that online programs are charged a lower rate than their on-campus counterparts or have an online education fee that results in a higher cost. Some institutions offer in-person and online students the same tuition rates. Contacting your online college's financial aid office can help you determine the cost of your program.

How Long Does an Online Master's Program Take?

Generally, online master's degrees take the same amount of time as traditional on-campus programs: two or three years. However, some graduate schools provide opportunities for remote learners to expedite degree completion through accelerated learning pathways (e.g., shorter course terms, numerous program start dates, self-paced learning, etc.). Programs might also accept prior learning and transfer credits, helping enrollees complete their studies in less than one year.

Find an Online Master's Degree

Begin a fulfilling journey in higher education by exploring the accredited degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools to learn how they can help you reach your academic and career goals.