Are There Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in North Dakota?

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.

There are many reasons someone may choose to earn a master's degree: to reach specific career goals, to stand out in the job market, or to increase their salary. For example, professionals with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) far outearn those with a bachelor's degree.

However, for busy students, especially working professionals, it can be hard to find the time or money to pursue an advanced degree. Many students turn to online programs, as these tend to be far more flexible than on-campus options and can also be less expensive.

Although no school offers completely free master's degrees online, there are ways to lower your costs so you can avoid paying out of pocket or taking on student loan debt. Keep reading to learn about earning a low-cost or free master's degree online in North Dakota.

Can I Get a Master's Degree Online for Free in North Dakota?

There aren't any naturally free master's degrees online in North Dakota. However, there are several low-cost options and some programs could cover all costs.

The only school that really offers tuition-free online master's degree programs is University of the People, and even these aren't totally free. UoPeople is an accredited, nonprofit, online institution based in Pasadena, CA. It doesn't charge tuition, but does charge an assessment fee of $350 to $400 per graduate-level online course. While this is less expensive than many schools, it's not completely free.

You may be able to earn a free master's degree online by pursuing financial aid. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what they qualify for. You'll find several accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA in North Dakota.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

There are a few different strategies graduate students can employ to lower the cost of their online degree. These include:

• Choose a low-cost program: Tuition varies between schools and even specific degrees, so look for what school is most affordable for your area of study.
• Fill out the FAFSA: The FAFSA determines what federal aid you qualify for and is often used to determine need-based state and institutional aid.
• Pursue institutional aid: Many colleges and universities offer scholarships, even full-tuition scholarships, as well as grants and assistantship options to students.
• Apply for private aid: Organizations across the country provide scholarships to students. Use a scholarship finder to discover what you might qualify for.
• Take advantage of employer-sponsored aid: Some employers offer tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement programs to employees.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

By pursuing the most affordable online master's degrees, you're setting yourself up to pay as little as possible. We've highlighted some low-cost online master's programs in North Dakota below.

1. Dickinson State University

Dickinson State University is a public institution in Dickinson, ND. It offers online master's degrees in business administration, elementary education, entrepreneurship, and teaching.

The tuition rate for graduate students at DSU is $336.67 per credit hour. This rate is the same whether students live in North Dakota or in another state.

• Average in-state tuition: $336.67 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $336.67 per credit
• Financial aid:
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. University of Jamestown

At the University of Jamestown, students will find a handful of online degree programs at the master's level. Areas of study include clinical counseling, curriculum and instruction, information technology, and leadership.

The University of Jamestown, a private Christian school, is located in Jamestown, ND. Tuition varies by program, starting at $350 for MEd programs and going up to $680 for the degree in clinical counseling.

• Average in-state tuition: $515 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $515 per credit
• Financial aid: The University of Jamestown accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Valley City State University

Valley City State University offers a variety of advanced degrees through online learning. It is a public university in Valley City, ND.

The online graduate degrees available at VCSU are a Master of Arts (MA) in teaching, a Master of Education (MEd) with several concentrations, and a Master of Science (MS) in business information systems. All have a tuition rate of $366.92 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $366.92 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $366.92 per credit
• Financial aid: VCSU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Minot State University

Several online graduate degrees are available through Minot State University. Subjects include education, information systems, management, and speech-language pathology.

MSU, located in Minot, ND, is a public university. It charges $389.65 per credit hour for online master's degrees.

• Average in-state tuition: $389.65 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $389.65 per credit
• Financial aid: MSU accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University is a public research university in Fargo, ND. It offers numerous master's degrees online in fields like business analytics, computer science, data science, and various social sciences.

Tuition at NDSU depends on where you live. Residents of North Dakota and states within the Western Regional Graduate Program pay $421.39 per credit, residents of Minnesota pay $535.16 per credit, and residents of all other states pay $632.08 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $421.39 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $421.39 per credit
• Financial aid: NDSU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Mayville State University

Students at Mayville State University can choose from three different online master's degrees: a Master of Arts in teaching, a Master of Education, and a Master of Science in nursing (MSN).

This public university is located in Mayville, ND. Tuition here varies by program; the teaching and education programs cost $422.78 per credit, while the MSN is $543.25 per credit hour.

• Average in-state tuition: $462.94 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $462.94 per credit
• Financial aid: Mayville State offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota offers dozens of graduate degrees online. UND is a public research university in Grand Forks, ND.

Online learners will find graduate degrees in cybersecurity, engineering, healthcare, and social sciences. The tuition rate is program-dependent, starting at $498 per credit for some of the liberal arts programs and going up to $798.08 for the degree in cybersecurity.

• Average in-state tuition: $648 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $648 per credit
• Financial aid: UND offers institutional aid and accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

Explore Affordable Online Master's Degrees

Find the perfect affordable master's degree by exploring the online options featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.