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

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.

While truly free master's degrees onlineare hard to come by, there are many ways to reduce the overall cost of attendance. Keep reading to learn more about saving money in graduate school, as well as some of the cheapest online master's degrees in Oregon.

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

Obtaining a free master's degree online in Oregon isn't common because all degrees have some fees attached. However, with financial aid, it is possible to cover all tuition costs.

Tuition-free online colleges aren't available in Oregon, but there is one that is available to Oregon residents. The University of the People (UoPeople) offers the only tuition-free online master's degree programs in the country. However, UoPeople still has fees associated so the cost of attendance will never truly be $0.

Despite the lack of completely free master's degrees, there are ways to make your graduate school experience more affordable. Keep reading to learn more about a variety of ways to reduce your cost of attendance and earn your master's degree.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

Below are some of the best ways to help learners reduce the overall cost of their graduate degree. Utilizing one or more of these strategies may not guarantee a completely free master's degree online, but they can make online learning more affordable.

• Going to school with military benefits: Many universities offer veteran and military benefits to reduce the cost of tuition for qualifying students. The Fry Scholarship, Post-9/11 GI Bill, and Montgomery Bill all help reduce the cost of education for qualifying students. The Yellow Ribbon Program also helps military-affiliated students cover the cost of tuition at private and/or out-of-state universities.
• Attending an in-state university: Many universities offer lower tuition and fees for in-state students. There are also state-specific tuition scholarships designed to encourage in-state students to apply.
• Utilizing federal and state funding: State and federal funding typically comes in the form of student loans, which have to be repaid after graduation. You can acquire federal funding through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We've featured only accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA on this list.
• Seeking employer-sponsored tuition assistance: Certain employers offer tuition assistance for working professionals who want to further their education. However, the graduate degree program typically must be related to their current profession. For example, healthcare employees will likely only be able to obtain tuition assistance if they seek an advanced degree in a healthcare-related field.
• Applying for scholarships and grants: Scholarships and grants can be found at individual universities (called internal scholarships) or through nonprofit organizations and corporations (called external scholarships). Some may be reserved for full-time or on-campus students, but it's always worth applying, since scholarships and grants don't need to be repaid.
• Applying to an accelerated or low-credit program: Applying for a low-credit or accelerated degree program can help save money, as most colleges charge per credit. Online courses can sometimes be accelerated, allowing students to move through their degrees more quickly than a traditional on-campus program.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

These low-cost online master's degree programs are based in Oregon and offer significant financial aid opportunities.

1. Oregon State University

Oregon State University offers a Master of Public Policy through its Ecampus, which boasts reduced tuition, robust financial aid, and potential for accelerated study. Students can expect to learn about environmental policy, sociology, and organizational leadership. These vital social science skills make graduates highly valuable in the job market.

• Average in-state tuition: $582 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $582 per credit
• Financial aid: Over 20,000 scholarships are available for students to apply for. Additionally, Oregon State University offers military discounts and partners with several companies for employer-sponsored tuition assistance.
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

2. Eastern Oregon University

Eastern Oregon University offers 13 online master's degrees, including a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Arts in teaching. In particular, the MBA program is highly cost-effective at only $537 per credit and accepts up to 15 transfer credits toward the 45-credit graduation requirement. Full-time students can expect to graduate in as little as 18 months.

• Average in-state tuition: $537 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $537 per credit
• Financial aid: Eastern Oregon University is a military-friendly school and offers financial aid to veterans, active-duty service members, dependents, and military spouses. There are also over $850,000 in donor-funded scholarships awarded every year.
• Accreditation: NWCCU

3. Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University offers several online Master of Science in education degrees with concentrations ranging from public health education to leadership in early childhood education. Most programs can be completed in as little as 12 months, and all are under $20,000 in total, making them some of the cheapest online master's degrees available.

• Average in-state tuition: $369 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $369 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The Financial Aid Office and Veterans Resource Office work together to ensure that students receive all financial aid they qualify for. Grants and scholarships may also be awarded.
• Accreditation: NWCCU

4. Portland State University

Portland State University offers a variety of online master's degrees, including a Master of Science in applied data science for business. Students can choose between hybrid or fully remote coursework and will study business analytics, ethics, and technical skills through hands-on learning experiences.

Full-time students can expect to complete the program in just 12 months, while part-time students should expect their studies to take approximately 24 months.

• Average in-state tuition: $31,545 for the entire program
• Average out-of-state tuition: $38,745 for the entire program
• Financial aid: Graduate assistantships are available to students who pursue the hybrid option for this degree. Scholarships, grants, and loans are also offered.
• Accreditation: NWUCC

5. Warner Pacific University

Warner Pacific University, a private school in Portland, offers an online Master of Education (MEd) that can be completed in just 18 months. With accelerated coursework designed for working professionals, this program allows students to study at their own pace.

Students can choose from three endorsement areas: special education, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), or reading interventionist.

• Average in-state tuition: $910 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $910 per credit
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, and loans are all available to graduate students. Warner Pacific University also partners with several local school districts to give employees additional scholarships.
• Accreditation: NWCCU

Explore Affordable Online Master's Degrees

The next step for many students after earning a bachelor's degree is to go to graduate school. However, rising tuition costs can make it difficult to achieve a master's degree.

While universities don't typically offer free full-tuition programs, many offer students ample scholarships and discounted tuition, making earning a graduate degree more affordable. Learn.org features high-quality, low-cost online master's degrees to help make your education dreams a reality.