5 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in Ohio 2025

Earning your master's degree proves that you are ready for the next big step in your career. However, the cost of a higher degree can be daunting. If this is a concern, try exploring degree programs offered online. Affordable online master's programs are often cheaper alternatives to traditional routes without sacrificing quality.

This article ranks 10 of the nation's cheapest online master's degree programs. Some of them include programs in Ohio, while others are based out of state.

Along with tuition, we'll provide financial aid information that can further lower your educational costs following a bachelor's degree. Read more to see if any of these options fit your financial needs.

5 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Ohio

The following schools offer high-paying master's degrees at the best online learning prices. Examples of cheap online master's degrees available include Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Master of Education (MEd). Tuitions reflect in-state rates, which are generally much less than out-of-state rates.

1. Miami University of Ohio

Miami University of Ohio (MU) is a public research university in Oxford offering 11 master's degrees, including an MBA, MEd in counselor education, MS in nursing (MSN), and more. Most of these programs have received specialized accreditation. Depending on the program, you may earn your degree in 10 months to 2.5 years.

• Average cost per credit hour: $282.94
• Financial aid: MU provides various types of assistance, including federal loans, grants, and private loans. Full-time teachers may be eligible for the Ohio Teacher Education Access at Miami (TEAM) Scholarship or the TEACH Grant. School-based aid comes from assistantships, associateships, scholarships, and grants-in-aid. State grants, scholarships, and loans may also be available.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Youngstown State University

At Youngstown State University (YSU), you can earn various degrees in business, education, and nursing, such as an MBA in healthcare management, MEd in special education, or MSN. Completion times range from six to 32 months.

• Average cost per credit hour: $415 to $450
• Financial aid: New learners at YSU may explore two graduate degree scholarship options, with one renewable for up to six semesters. The school also offers assistantships. Federal, private, and state loans may be available, along with state grants.
• Accreditation: HLC, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN)

3. Ohio Christian University

A private institution, Ohio Christian University (OCU) offers five master's degrees for online students: an MA in ministry, an MBA and an MA in ministry dual degree, an MEd, an MBA with concentrations, and an MA in leadership with concentrations. Full-time students may complete these in two years or less, except for the much longer MBA and MA in ministry dual degree program. Active military service members receive tuition discounts of up to nearly 44%.

• Average cost per credit hour: $430 to $565
• Financial aid: OCU offers scholarships as well as federal and private loans. State scholarships, grants, and loans may also be available.
• Accreditation: HLC, CAEP, and Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE)

4. Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green State University, a public research university in northwestern Ohio, has 30 online master's programs and specializations to offer, from MAs in art, English, and media and communication to MSs in systems engineering, criminal justice, and technology management in construction management, among many others. Most courses require one to two years to complete.

• Average cost per credit hour: $467.70
• Financial aid: Graduate students may apply for assistantships, federal grants and scholarships, and student employment. They may also apply for federal and private loans and any state loans or grants that may be available.
• Accreditation: HLC and AACSB

5. Mount Vernon Nazarene University

At Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), a private institution in central Ohio, you can choose from 25 master's programs with an online format, such as an MBA in human resources management, MS in management (MSM) in logistics management, and MSW, to name a few. Accelerated programs can be completed in as few as 11 months; standard programs are two years in duration. Many of MNVU's offerings have specialized accreditations.

• Average cost per credit hour: $498
• Financial aid: If you seek aid through assistantships or other student employment, MVNU has many of these to offer. Other options include institution-based scholarships and federal loans, private loans, and any available state grants or loans.
• Accreditation: HLC

Other Affordable Online Master's Programs

Many schools with the lowest tuition in the U.S. are located outside of Ohio. Institutions that made this list also feature affordable online master's programs, especially if you plan to reside in the state where they're offered. The following tuition prices may include a range between the lowest in-state rates and the highest rates; the highest may indicate out-of-state rates where applicable.

Georgia Institute of Technology

If you'd like to advance your career in computer science or analytics, Atlanta's Georgia Institute of Technology (GT) is a top candidate for cheap online master's degrees in these fields. An MS in computer science or MS in analytics, each with specialized tracks to choose from, can be achieved in two to three years.

• Average cost per credit hour: $195 to $297
• Financial aid: GT provides institute-funded fellowships, federal loans and work-study programs, and private loans in addition to any scholarships, grants, or loans the state may offer.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and ABET

Texas A&M International University

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is a public school in Laredo. It features 20 online master's degrees, most with specializations in the educational field, that focus on curriculum and instruction, special education, bilingual education, administration and leadership, and counseling � all of which can be completed in eight to 30 months.

• Average cost per credit hour: $347 to $1,030
• Financial aid: TAMIU makes available fellowships, assistantships, school-based and external scholarships, federal grants and loans, and other student employment. State funding may also be an option.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

There are two online master's degrees in business &- an MSM and an MBA &- offered at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). The MSM can be achieved in a year, while the MBA requires up to four.

• Average cost per credit hour: $363
• Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, assistantships, tuition waivers, and internal and external fellowships are all available through UIUC's financial aid office. Students should also explore federal loans and state funding options.
• Accreditation: HLC and AACSB

Florida State University

Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee has more than two dozen online master's degree programs and various specializations to offer in business, criminology, education, information technology, nursing, social work, and more. Such degrees as an MS in entrepreneurship (MSE), MS in risk management and insurance, or Juris Master (JM) can be earned in two to three years. Most of FSU's programs are accredited by specialized agencies.

• Average cost per credit hour: $444.26 to $1,075.66
• Financial aid: FSU provides many avenues for financial assistance, including fellowships, external funding, student awards and grants, assistantships, student waivers, and federal loans. State grants and loans may also be available to explore.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

Each institution listed above was carefully selected using rigorous vetting criteria. In addition to cost, we took other factors into account to ensure you are provided the highest quality options in online master's programs.

• Accreditation: Schools must be approved by a nationally or regionally recognized credentialing organization such as HLC or SACSCOC. Each of the above has also earned at least one specialized accreditation for a featured degree or program.
• Affordability: Each school offers at least two master's programs with in-state tuition prices that are less than $15,000, based on degrees that require a minimum of 30 credit hours. Additionally, each must provide generous financial aid to offset costs.
• Program reputation: The universities demonstrate a high level of quality with graduation rates, student outcomes, and rankings that compare favorably to national averages.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in Ohio

If you still have questions, you're not alone. Keep reading below to see what answers we've provided to some common queries.

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

Tuition for educational programs varies widely based on several factors. As an example, if you calculate the average cost of tuition based on in-state rates and a minimum program requirement of 30 credit hours, five of Ohio's cheapest online master's programs above will cost between $8,488.20 at a public school and $14,940 at a private nonprofit school. However, programs requiring more credit hours can greatly affect these totals, along with your resident status and the amount of financial aid you receive.

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

Yes, financial aid is available for online degrees as well as traditional on-campus programs. All accredited universities are eligible to offer federal assistance such as Pell Grants or student loans.

In addition, most schools offer institutional grants, scholarships, and graduate fellowships and assistantships. State grants and loans may also be available. Most forms of financial aid are based on one or more factors, including need, academic achievement, skills, or fields of interest.

It is always advisable to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This is a prerequisite for any federal aid, and you should contact your school's financial aid department if you have questions about the FAFSA or application deadlines.

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

Online master's degree programs are often less expensive than in-person versions because you save on many expenses associated with living on campus or commuting. There are no relocation costs or meal plans, and the flexibility to balance coursework with your personal and professional obligations can provide added efficiency to accelerate your degree completion.

While universities generally charge less for online programs, not all of them are cheaper than traditional programs. It is important to understand and compare the tuition rates of each format at any university you're considering, as well as any associated fees that may accompany them.

How Long Does an Online Master's Program Take?

According to U.S. News & World Report, because master's degrees can vary from full-time or intensive graduate programs to part-time programs, durations can be as short as a year to completion or as long as five years or more. Special incentives like the ''4+1'' program, in which a student can earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in five years, further accelerate completion times.

Online master's programs offer the flexibility to choose any of these options, whether it's shorter class sessions that can be fit into compressed timeframes or self-paced formats that allow you to study around your busy schedule. With average master's degree requirements ranging from 30 to 60 credit hours, paths to online completion reflect the same wide variation as traditional degrees.

Find an Online Master's Degree

If you're curious to find out more, visit Learn.org to explore various online programs offered by accredited institutions. Contact school representatives with your questions so you can begin taking the next big career step today.