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

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.

We can help you identify tuition-free online master's degrees by utilizing a combination of financial aid packages and bargain tuition rates. The key to earning a free master's degree online is enrolling in a low-cost program while applying for as many grants, scholarships, and other funding resources as possible. This article will show you the best ways to find tuition-free online master's degree programs in Ohio.

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

Although it is possible, with financial aid, to earn a very low-cost college degree, there aren't any universities that offer an entirely free master's degree online. The closest thing to a tuition-free college is the University of the People (UoPeople), but this institution still charges other non-tuition fees for materials. You're welcome to explore some nearly free online colleges, but it's also important to develop strategies to make your online master's degree affordable through financial aid.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

There are several ways to avoid student loans and enjoy every convenience of online education at some of the cheapest online graduate schools. These effective strategies can help you graduate debt-free after full-time or part-time graduate study.

• Look for military discounts: Service members can leverage their active-duty or veteran status to qualify for many deep tuition discounts. Some online colleges, like Liberty University, offer at least a 50% cut in tuition for graduate or undergraduate coursework.
• Stay in-state: If you live in Ohio, focusing on in-state enrollment will generally be cheaper. While there are schools that offer the same tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state applicants, it's more common to find cheaper tuition by attending public universities in Ohio with in-state status.
• Apply for scholarships: Reputable colleges understand the financial needs of their online students and offer the same needs-based scholarships as they do for on-campus students. If you had high marks from your undergraduate education, you might merit consideration for full-tuition scholarships for your graduate degree.
• State and School Resources: There are plenty of Ohio-based or school-specific financial aid opportunities if you know where to look for them. You can visit Ohio.gov, for example, for resources on how to apply for financial awards, such as the Governor's Merit Scholarship.
• Get Federal Funding: There are several grant awards, like Pell Grants, available to graduate students in various career fields, which might even enable a free ride through college. If you want to apply, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Look for corporate tuition reimbursement: Some universities and colleges partner with businesses to offer tuition reimbursement for their employees. These tuition assistance opportunities permit working professionals to cancel out 50% or even 100% of their tuition costs, depending on employers' eligibility requirements.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Below are some examples of schools offering some of the least expensive graduate programs. These are accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA and work with students to reduce their degree expenses.

1. Central State University

Central State University offers affordable master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and other credentials through convenient online learning resources. This includes the school's online Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

The MBA program provides graduate students with a terrific chance to build expertise in business analytics, managerial accounting, investment strategy, and other business topics at their own pace.

Average in-state tuition: $450 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $550 per credit hour

Financial aid: You can qualify for graduate-level scholarships and grants after completing the FAFSA.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. University of Akron

The University of Akron offers 14 online graduate degrees in applied politics, polymer engineering, public health, social work, speech-language pathology, and more. This Ohio research university not only offers assistantships and a small volume of fellowships but also helps master's and doctoral students obtain additional funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Average in-state tuition: $462.50 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $782.50 per credit hour

Financial aid: Funding opportunities include grants, scholarships, fellowships, research assitantships, and private loans.

Accreditation: HLC

3. Kent State University

Kent State University offers over two dozen online master's degrees at different tuition costs. Two of their most affordable master's degrees are in accounting and business analytics.

These degrees carry a total annual tuition cost of $13,100 if you take online courses full-time. You can reduce these costs even further with an array of funding opportunities through Kent State's ''Scholarship Universe'' platform.

Average in-state tuition: $594.78 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $604.78 per credit hour

Financial aid: The university offers graduate students and international students many ways to secure funding through scholarships, grants, and private loans.

Accreditation: HLC

4. Miami University

Miami University charges the same tuition rate for in-state and out-of-state students who have their choice of 10 online master's degrees. This includes a Master of Arts (MA) in Biology, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Master of Education (MEd), and more.

The university offers several scholarships for graduate students, such as the Ohio TEAM Scholarship for educators, which lowers instructional and general fees by 25%.

Average in-state tuition: $597.89 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $597.89 per credit hour

Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, and other funding opportunities are available after completing the FAFSA.

Accreditation: HLC

5. Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University's Master of Social Work (MSW) program is among its most affordable, with competitive tuition rates of less than $620 per unit. This degree opportunity is cost-effective and provides hands-on field practicum requirements locally rather than traveling to campus.

Cleveland State permits online learners to pursue this program on a part-time, self-paced course schedule, preparing them for a growing job market for credentialed social workers.

Average in-state tuition: $618.25 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $619.25 per credit hour

Financial aid: Complete the FAFSA using school code, 003032, to receive consideration for private scholarships, grants, and other financial aid packages.

Accreditation: Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

We hope this helps you find affordable ways to earn an online master's degree without sacrificing program quality. You can use Learn.org to research everything about online graduate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and other advanced degrees in several exciting fields.