Are There Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in New Hampshire?

Although fully free online master's degrees are not available, students seeking an affordable degree path can significantly reduce costs through various financial aid options. Federal and state aid, scholarships from higher education institutions, and other funding sources can cover a portion of tuition costs for eligible students. However, it is important to note that additional costs beyond tuition may apply.

New Hampshire is the fifth smallest state in the nation, but there are still multiple options for affordable master's degrees available to online learners. While there are no tuition-free online master's degrees available from in-state schools, there are several programs with low-cost graduate degrees.

Learn more about the high-quality New Hampshire universities with online master's degrees, as well as some of the strategies and tactics you can use to reduce these costs even further.

Can I Get a Master's Degree Online for Free in New Hampshire?

While there are no free online colleges in New Hampshire offering free master's degrees, students still have opportunities to achieve a low-cost degree. You can earn your degree at a reduced cost by qualifying for financial aid that can cover a significant portion of your tuition and other higher education expenses.

The University of the People (UoPeople) is the only truly tuition-free college that offers online master's degree programs. However, it's important to note that while UoPeople does not charge tuition, there are additional costs for administration fees, supplies, and final exams to consider.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

Though there are no free master's degrees online, students in New Hampshire can take advantage of a number of financial aid opportunities to lower costs. In addition to identifying low-cost programs, there are several steps you can take to further reduce your total tuition and other costs.

• Look into in-state, public schools: Most students will find the lowest tuition rates for graduate programs at in-state, public universities. One exception to this is that many online-only degree programs don't charge out-of-state rates.
• Apply for federal scholarships and grants: Students should submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to qualify for federal aid programs, including the Pell Grant. There are many cheap online schools that accept FAFSA, both in New Hampshire and across the country.
• Apply for state and institutional scholarships: Some schools also offer proprietary scholarships for graduate-level studies, with some having specific awards based on the field of study. There are also state programs that can serve to close the gap between other aid and full-tuition fee costs.
• Use employer-provided tuition assistance: Employer-provided tuition reimbursement programs are growing in popularity. Look into your employer's policies to see if you could qualify for any additional tuition support.
• Enlist in the military: Military benefits, like the GI Bill and tuition assistance, can help make higher education more affordable. These programs usually involve minimum enlistment commitments and shouldn't be taken lightly.
• Pursue full-time enrollment: Many schools have differing tuition rates for full-time and part-time enrollment. In addition to lower tuition rates, full-time and self-paced programs can lessen your total tuition load.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

New Hampshire students looking for low-cost graduate programs should start with the most affordable online master's degrees in the state. These schools offer affordable tuition rates and financial aid to reduce costs even further.

1. New England College

New England College (NEC) has 18 online master's degree programs in fields of study that can prepare learners for both current and future job markets. Graduate learners can enroll in programs focused on topics such as artificial intelligence, data science, and information technology to prepare for some of the most rapidly expanding industries. There are also more traditional degree pathways, such as MBA programs and education.

• Average in-state tuition: $540 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $540 per credit
• Financial aid: NEC students have access to 1-on-1 advising sessions to learn about their full financial aid options beyond their federal aid opportunities, such as grants, loans, and work-study programs. There is a large variety of institutional scholarships for state residents based on need and merit. Furthermore, NEC offers the GradGuard Student Protection Plan, an insurance package that students can use to recover money if they have to withdraw from classes.
• Accreditation: NECHE

2. Plymouth State University

Plymouth State University (PSU) has four graduate-level degrees available in online formats. Students can select from a general management MBA, two different MEds, and an organizational leadership MA. These online programs have both full- and part-time enrollment opportunities and can be completed in a year to 2.5 years, respectively.

• Average in-state tuition: $584 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $809 per credit
• Financial aid: PSU has limited merit-based graduate scholarships available each year. These awards are given based on academic and professional performance. Students can also submit their FAFSA forms to qualify for federal aid. PSU awards over $8,000 to students yearly in grants that complement federal grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.
• Accreditation: NECHE

3. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a leader in on-campus and online courses for graduate students in the Granite State and beyond. SNHU has over 80 total master's degrees available online, including a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with 17 different concentrations and Master of Science (MS) degrees in healthcare administration, cybersecurity, and information technology. The graduate degrees at SNHU are designed for working professionals, and many can be completed at your own pace in around one year.

• Average in-state tuition: $637 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $637 per credit
• Financial aid: SNHU accepts FAFSA-based rewards, including grants and federal loans. Students can also apply for institution-based scholarships. SNHU's institutional aid is awarded based on need, merit, and degree program. The school also has special programs for in-state students, particularly graduates of NH high schools.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

4. Rivier University

Rivier University's online master's degree options include 15 total programs. Some of the available fields of study include computer science, nursing, and counseling. Due to the hands-on nature of some of these programs, some programs include internships and on-campus residencies. Most of the programs that include residencies are healthcare-related.

• Average in-state tuition: $712 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $712 per credit
• Financial aid: Students at Rivier University can submit their FAFSA to qualify for federal need-based aid, or they can pursue merit-based institutional aid. Institutional aid includes endowment funds based on your degree program or educational department. There are also work-study programs available.
• Accreditation: NECHE

5. University of New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) has 28 online master's degree programs available to in-state and out-of-state learners. These advanced degrees include a Master of Education (MEd) in educational studies, an MS in cybersecurity, and a Master of Arts (MA) in community development policy and practice. Some of the programs at UNH are designed to allow working professionals to use their experiences as a substitute for credit and accelerate their graduate degree.

• Average in-state tuition: $835 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $835 per credit
• Financial aid: UNH has fellowships, assistantships, and work-study opportunities in addition to scholarships and grants. UNH provides additional grants and scholarships for in-state students. There are also merit-, need-, leadership-, and service-based aid packages.
• Accreditation: NECHE

Discover Affordable Online Master's Degrees

Online education allows New Hampshire students to find affordable master's degrees in their home state and nationwide. Explore the resources here on Learn.org to learn about all of your options for affordable online master's degrees. Contact schools today for more information and even start your education.