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

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.

Many students choose to go beyond their bachelor's degrees to pursue advanced degrees like master's degrees. In some cases, master's degrees are necessary for certain careers; in others, they can help you stand out in a crowded job market.

Online master's degrees are a great option for adult learners or working professionals, as they offer far more flexibility than on-campus options. That said, many students still struggle with the financial burden of trying to earn a graduate degree.

Tuition can be expensive, even for online programs. While there aren't any totally free master's degrees online, there are ways to earn tuition-free online master's degrees. Keep reading to learn more about tuition-free online master's degree programs in New York.

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

There are no inherently free online colleges in New York. However, there are many low-cost institutions in New York.

The only truly tuition-free college in the U.S. that offers online master's degrees is the University of the People. This private, nonprofit, online college is based in Pasadena, CA, and while it does not charge for tuition, it still charges fees. That being said, UoPeople is still a much more affordable option than many schools.

With the right financial aid, you could significantly reduce or even eliminate your tuition costs and most fees. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to find out what they may qualify for, and there are numerous accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

One of the best ways to make your tuition affordable is to start with a low-cost school. In New York, these tend to be public colleges and universities. Beyond that, there are several ways to obtain financial aid to help you lower the cost of your graduate degree:

• File FAFSA: FAFSA assesses your eligibility for federal aid, like the Pell Grant. Many state programs and institutional aid programs, especially those that are need-based, also require the FAFSA.
• Look for institutional aid: Many colleges and universities offer financial aid to graduate students, including full-tuition scholarships, grants, and assistantship opportunities.
• Apply for private aid: Outside of government and school aid, you can often find scholarships through private or community organizations.
• Use employer-sponsored assistance: Many employers offer their employees tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement programs.
• Go to school through the military: One benefit of enlisting in the military is tuition assistance. The amount you qualify for will depend on your length of service and can also depend on the branch you serve in.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

The most cheapest online master's degrees in New York come from public schools. There are two public school systems in New York: the City University of New York (CUNY) system for schools within New York City proper and the State University of New York (SUNY) system for schools in other parts of the state.

While none of these schools offer completely free master's degrees online, they all charge roughly the same in-state tuition rate for students earning online graduate degrees. We've highlighted those with the best variety of online programs below.

1. CUNY School of Professional Studies

The CUNY School of Professional Studies is a public university in Manhattan in NYC. It offers over a dozen online master's degrees in fields like business management, data science, museum studies, and nursing.

In-state tuition for graduate programs at CUNY SPS is $470 per credit hour, with a cap of $5,545 per semester. Out-of-state students studying solely through online courses pay $565 per credit, with no semester cap.

Average in-state tuition: $470 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $565 per credit

Financial aid: CUNY SPS accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. Lehman College

At Lehman College, students can choose from several online master's degrees. Areas of study include business, computer science, nutrition, and organizational leadership.

This public CUNY school is located in the Bronx in New York. It charges $470 per credit hour to in-state students and $855 to out-of-state students.

Average in-state tuition: $470 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $855 per credit

Financial aid: Lehman College offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: MSCHE

3. CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy

The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy offers online Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees and Master of Science (MS) degrees in public healthcare fields. CUNY SPH is located in Harlem in NYC.

The MS degrees are $470 per credit hour for in-state residents and $565 for non-resident online students. Meanwhile, the MPH programs are $620 per credit hour for New York residents and $745 for non-resident online students.

Average in-state tuition: $545 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $655 per credit

Financial aid: CUNY SPH offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.

Accreditation: MSCHE

4. John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Eight online master's degrees are available at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Areas of study include criminal justice, emergency management, human rights, and public administration.

John Jay, a CUNY school in Manhattan, is the only public liberal arts college with a focus on criminal justice and forensics. It charges a tuition rate of $470 per credit for New York residents and $565 per credit for out-of-state students enrolled exclusively through online learning.

Average in-state tuition: $470 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $565 per credit

Financial aid: John Jay accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.

Accreditation: MSCHE

5. Brooklyn College

Brooklyn College is a public CUNY school in Brooklyn in NYC. It offers online graduate degrees in fields like accounting, business administration, community health, and education.

Like other CUNY schools, tuition for in-state students is $470 per credit. However, tuition for non-resident students is $855 per credit hour.

Average in-state tuition: $470 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $855 per credit

Financial aid: Brooklyn College accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: MSCHE

6. SUNY Brockport

Students at SUNY Brockport can choose from nearly 20 online master's degree programs. Areas of study include business, healthcare, and humanities. Additionally, several Master of Education (MEd) degrees are offered online in various fields.

SUNY Brockport is a public SUNY university located in Brockport, NY. Most online master's degrees are $471 per credit for in-state students and $565 per credit for out-of-state students. However, the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) costs $635 per credit for New York residents and $762 for non-residents.

Average in-state tuition: $471 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $565 per credit

Financial aid: SUNY Brockport offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: MSCHE

7. Empire State University

Empire State University offers more than a dozen master's degrees online in fields like business, cybersecurity, information technology, and social sciences. SUNY Empire is a public university in Saratoga Springs, NY.

The in-state tuition rate for online graduate degrees is generally $471 per credit, while the out-of-state rate is $565 for online students. However, the MBA program is once again the exception, at a rate of $635 per credit for residents and $762 for online non-residents.

Average in-state tuition: $471 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $565 per credit

Financial aid: SUNY Empire offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.

Accreditation: MSCHE

8. Stony Brook University

Several graduate degrees are available through online learning at Stony Brook University. Areas of study include business administration, education, nursing, and technology.

Stony Brook, located in Stony Brook, NY, is a public SUNY university. It charges in-state students $471 per credit for most programs and $635 per credit for the MBA. Out-of-state students pay much more at $1,097 per credit for most programs and $1,120 per credit for the MBA.

Average in-state tuition: $471 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $1,097 per credit

Financial aid: Stony Brook accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.

Accreditation: MSCHE

9. SUNY Oswego

SUNY Oswego is a public SUNY university in Oswego, NY. It offers ten online master's degrees in fields like business, education, healthcare administration, and human-computer interaction.

The tuition rate for most online advanced degrees is $471 per credit for New York residents and $565 for non-residents. Once again, the MBA program is the exception, charging $635 per credit to in-state students and $762 to out-of-state students.

Average in-state tuition: $471 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $565 per credit

Financial aid: SUNY Oswego accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.

Accreditation: MSCHE

10. University at Buffalo

Through the University at Buffalo, students can choose from several online master's degrees. Areas of study include business analytics, education, public health, and social work.

UB, a public research university, is a SUNY school in Buffalo, NY. Most online programs cost $471 per credit for residents, but the MBA is $635 per credit, and the Master of Social Work (MSW) is $545 per credit. Out-of-state online students pay $565 per credit for most programs, $762 per credit for the MBA, and $654 for the MSW.

Average in-state tuition: $471 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $565 per credit

Financial aid: UB offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: MSCHE

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

Start your journey toward your dream career by exploring the affordable master's programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.