10 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in Texas 2025

Master's degrees are a common way for working adults to further their higher education and advance their careers. There are several online degree programs available from top-ranking universities across the Lone Star state that make it easy for learners to find cheap online master's degree programs without having to commit to the rigid scheduling of on-campus graduate school.

Learn more about affordable online master's programs, different specializations available, and tuition rates to help you find the best online graduate degree for your educational and professional goals.

10 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Texas

Texas-based learners can find master's degrees that pay well available through online education programs in multiple fields of study. Some of the most common online master's programs include business administration, criminal justice, computer science, and health science-related programs.

1. Texas A&M University - Central Texas

Texas A&M University - Central Texas offers nine different online graduate degrees, including a master's in business administration, information systems, and applied psychology. Most of these online learning programs have 30 to 36 total credit hours required, which will affect total tuition costs.

• Average cost per credit hour: $297.39 (in-state resident rate)
• Financial aid: In addition to federal and institutional scholarships and grants, students can qualify for the Warrior Guarantee, which locks tuition rates in for the duration of their degree.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Texas State University

Students can choose from 36 different online master's degrees at Texas State University (TSU). These programs range from 30 to 42 total credit hours and include subjects such as criminal justice, healthcare administration, and education. All coursework is delivered fully online, even though many of these programs are available in hybrid or on-campus formats as well.

• Average cost per credit hour: $357.36
• Financial aid: Graduate students are eligible for scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and more after submitting their FAFSA.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Lamar University

Lamar University offers over 60 graduate degree programs, including multiple doctoral programs. Most of these programs are offered fully online, but a small selection of healthcare-focused degrees are classified as hybrid due to their practicum, internship, or other practical learning experience requirements. Some of the degree options available to online learners include management information systems, nursing administration, criminal justice, and more.

• Average cost per credit hour: $359.49
• Financial aid: Students can apply for multiple state and federal grants and federal work-study programs.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) has 25 online master's degree specializations, ranging from business administration to teaching. Most of these graduate programs are designed to be completed in 10 to 12 months, allowing for a more accelerated degree program than some other schools. UTRGV also offers multiple start dates throughout the year for increased flexibility.

• Average cost per credit hour: $450
• Financial aid: Students at UTRGV have access to federal and school-provided aid packages based on full-time or part-time enrollment status.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. University of North Texas

The University of North Texas (UNT) has over 40 fully online master's degrees, including educational leadership, marketing analytics, and supply chain management. These degrees include an average of 12 online courses, or roughly 36 credit hours. Students can choose from fully online or hybrid degree formats for these graduate degrees.

• Average cost per credit hour: $750
• Financial aid: The financial aid packages at UNT include scholarships, grants, work-study, and promise programs.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. East Texas A&M

East Texas A&M offers a variety of online graduate degrees. Students can choose from 10 different Master of Science and Master of Arts programs in subjects such as social work, agricultural leadership, and applied criminology. Many of these programs are thesis-free or thesis-optional, allowing students to bypass this requirement. In addition to full degrees, East Texas A&M offers graduate-level certificates to help learners expand their education.

• Average cost per credit hour: $758
• Financial aid: Graduate learners can access scholarships, grants, and graduate assistantships offered at the federal, state, and school levels.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Parker University

Parker University has a health degree focus and offers eight different master's degrees in subjects including clinical neuroscience, functional nutrition, and public health. Due to the health focus of these degree programs, some do include in-person experiences, such as a practicum or lab hours, but all theoretical coursework can be completed in a fully online format. Parker University graduates also qualify for post-graduation support, including career resources.

• Average cost per credit hour: $817
• Financial aid: Learners at Parker University can qualify for scholarships, grants, and active-duty military assistance.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. West Coast University - Texas

West Coast University - Texas offers nine different online master's degrees with a strong focus on healthcare degrees, such as public health, nursing, and occupational therapy. Students not interested in healthcare can choose a Master of Business Administration degree with three specialization options. Learners who enroll in accelerated formats can complete their master's degrees in as few as 12 months.

• Average cost per credit hour: $834
• Financial aid: Students can qualify for federal grants and scholarships as well as military benefits, employer tuition reimbursement, and payment plans.
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

9. Sam Houston State University

There are 34 online master's degrees available from Sam Houston State University (SHSU), including digital forensics, special education, and business administration. SHSU allows students to use online or on-campus credits equally and has a generous transfer policy that allows students to bring credits from other universities or community colleges.

• Average cost per credit hour: $842
• Financial aid: Students at Sam Houston State University can qualify for grants, scholarships, and federal work-study programs.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. The University of Texas at Austin

Online students at the University of Texas at Austin have both self-paced and ''live online'' enrollment options in a variety of subjects, including education, artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and more. Live online coursework is delivered in a traditional format with scheduled virtual courses and stricter deadlines compared to self-paced online classes.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,341
• Financial aid: Students can submit their FAFSA forms for federal aid and utilize UTA resources to find private scholarships available.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

Our methodology for selecting these universities prioritizes affordability, but there are several other factors that we use to make sure you receive high-quality recommendations.

• Accreditation: We only chose accredited schools. Accreditation ensures that your degree will meet educational standards and prepare you for your career.
• Affordability: These programs were chosen due to lower-than-average tuition rates or diverse financial aid packages, which can help reduce total costs.
• Program reputation: We selected programs that have strong reputations. Reputation doesn't ensure quality, but it can help differentiate you in the job market.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in Texas

Online master's programs are becoming more popular, but many students still have questions about these programs. Some of the most common questions are about cost, financial aid, and program length.

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

The cost of an online master's degree in Texas varies based on a few factors, primarily total credit hours, financial aid, and more. The average cost will be around $15,000, but some programs will cost much more than this.

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

Online master's programs in Texas have many of the same financial aid options as on-campus or undergraduate degrees. These include grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and more.

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

Online master's degrees are cheaper than in-person degrees in most cases, but it will depend on factors including the field of study, school, and total credit requirements. Some schools have additional fees applied ot online courses that can increase total costs.

How Long Does an Online Master's Program Take?

Most online master's programs are designed to be completed in about two years, but many schools offer accelerated programs that can be completed in as few as 10 months. These accelerated programs still require the same total credits, but coursework is usually delivered on a shorter timeline.

Find an Online Master's Degree

Whether you want to find a school in Texas or another state, our school profiles and articles make it easy to research universities and the degrees they offer. Once you've found the best program for your goals, use our resources to reach out and start your application process today.