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

Although fully free online master's degrees are not available, students seeking an affordable graduate 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.

Earning a master's degree doesn't have to be financially unattainable, particularly if you pursue an accredited master's degree online. Many graduate schools charge lower online tuition rates than on-campus rates and offer other generous incentives, so much so that you may wonder if it's possible to earn a free master's degree online.

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Only one accredited institution offers tuition-free online master's degree programs, but students are still responsible for paying various fees. Even though entirely free master's degrees online do not exist, you can greatly reduce tuition and other costs by utilizing financial aid and different ways to reduce costs.

This article reveals the only tuition-free online college, discusses cost-saving measures, and focuses on institutions in Wyoming and the region where you can apply these strategies to obtain a low-cost master's degree. Read on to learn more.

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

There are no free online colleges in Wyoming or anywhere else in the U.S. The only school that comes close is the University of the People (UoPeople), which offers a few tuition-free online master's programs to learners worldwide. For those pursuing all other graduate programs, there are still many alternatives to paying full higher education costs.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

The following tips can help you achieve the most affordable online master's degrees in Wyoming and nationwide. Combine strategies wherever possible to maximize your results.

• Leverage residency and state-run advantages: Choosing an in-state, public online college is typically the cheapest option, but this is not always the case. Compare costs and weigh all factors carefully to decide which institution suits your own pace and overall needs.
• Apply for federal assistance: While federal grants are reserved for undergraduate students, you can still receive a low-interest student loan. Regardless, you'll need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for most forms of financial aid.
• Explore scholarships, fellowships, and other grants: Colleges, states, and community entities generally provide scholarships and grants based on need, merit, field of study, or other special circumstances. Merit-based fellowships may also be awarded for advanced degrees to help defray costs. These funding sources do not require repayment.
• Keep working while you earn your degree: Remain with a current employer, explore a federal work-study program or other student employment, or earn a merit-based teaching or research assistantship from your school. Whether a full-time or part-time working professional, you will generate valuable income to support your education.
• Ask your employer to sponsor you: Many employers will offer at least the minimum, tax-free amount and sometimes more, which may involve an agreement to work for a certain duration at the company after graduation.
• Tap into military or service-based benefits: Waivers and tuition reductions are usually provided directly by colleges or through GI and veterans' programs. If you have served in such organizations as the Peace Corps, you may also be eligible for financial aid.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Three universities in Wyoming provide online master's programs. The other institutions on this list are universities in neighboring states that accept Wyoming resident applicants. All are accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA, which is critical in acquiring financial aid.

1. University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming (UW) is a public land-grant research university in Laramie. Over 15 online master's degrees are offered, including Master of Arts (MA) degrees in education with various concentrations, a Master of Science (MS) in accounting, and a Master of Public Administration (MPA). UW's online learning provides the same educational expectations, accreditation, and student resources as in-person coursework to ensure your success.

• Average in-state tuition: $398 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $606 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Scholarships may be awarded to master's students through the UW Alumni Association and College Board's Scholarship Search, as well as graduate assistantships and fellowships. Student employment and external scholarships may also be available.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. University of Phoenix

Based in Arizona, private institution University of Phoenix (UOPX) has a campus in Cheyenne and serves students statewide through its fully online programs. UOPX offers 28 master's degrees; just a few include MS degrees in cybersecurity, industrial-organizational psychology, and healthcare administration, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Master of Management (MM).

• Average in-state tuition: $698 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $698 per credit hour
• Financial aid: UOPX guarantees set tuition for the duration of your degree and provides a Savings Explorer tool for students with life experiences and circumstances. Other tools are provided to search for numerous scholarships, including university-based awards like The Phoenix Master's Scholarship, and external scholarships.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Park University

Like the University of Phoenix, Park University is a private school based in another state, in Parkville, MO. However, it operates a campus center at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne and offers both on-site and online courses for its master's programs. You can choose from five programs including an MA in communication and leadership, or a Master of Education (MEd) degree or an MBA, both with various concentrations.

• Average in-state tuition: $695 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $695 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Military members and their families are eligible for a lower tuition rate, while civilian students are advised to seek aid from university-based and external scholarships, federal work-study options, and federal loans. If you work for a Park University partner company or organization, you can receive additional discounts. Education graduate students may also qualify for financial assistance through Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH).
• Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Montana

The University of Montana (UM), a public university in Missoula, is home to 10 online master's degrees in such fields as education, business, social work, and public health. UM's comprehensive system of individual departments play key roles in producing knowledgeable graduates that directly benefit communities.

• Average in-state tuition: $350.25 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,051.75 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students may find support in UM-based funding including scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships. The school also provides search databases for external scholarships and fellowships, and it offers assistance in applying for federal loans or other aid.
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

5. University of South Dakota

As a public research institution in Vermillion, the University of South Dakota (USD) offers 22 online master's degrees, some with accelerated programs to help you achieve your goals faster. Examples include MA degrees in addiction counseling and prevention or elementary education, an MBA with a leadership concentration, and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

• Average in-state tuition: $484.10 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $484.10 per credit hour
• Financial aid: You may seek assistance through graduate assistantships, work-study programs, loans, and external sources. Military personnel, veterans, and their family members may also qualify for benefits including tuition reduction.
• Accreditation: HLC

6. University of Nebraska in Lincoln

The University of Nebraska in Lincoln (UNL) is a public land-grant research university. It offers 27 online master's programs, including graduate-level courses in arts and sciences, engineering, agricultural science and natural resources, and law. U.S. News & World Report has ranked many of these programs among the nation's best online offerings.

• Average in-state tuition: $365 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $724 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Online students can seek funding through assistantships, fellowships, and travel grants for students who present at professional conferences or travel for thesis project work. Federal loans and work-study programs may also be available.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Boise State University

Fifteen online master's degrees are offered at public institution Boise State University (BSU). Among the options are an MA in digital communications management, an MS in respiratory care, a Master of Social Work (MSW), and an MEd in early and special education. Tuition varies based on your level of credit hour enrollment per semester; the higher figure shown below includes required tuition fees.

• Average in-state tuition: $252 to $621.40 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $252 to $1,683.33 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Some Wyoming students may qualify for BSU's merit-based Gem Scholarship, which waives out-of-state tuition rates. In addition, Wyoming is a member state of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), which may qualify Wyoming residents for BSU's non-resident tuition rates. Fellowships and assistantships are also offered, and scholarships may be available through the Boise State Foundation or private sources.
• Accreditation: NWCCU

8. Utah State University

You can choose from 21 online master's degrees at Utah State University (USU), a public land grant school in Logan. Options include an MS in aerospace engineering, an MA in instructional technology and learning sciences, a Master of Food Safety and Quality (MFS), and a Master of Veterinary Public Health (MPH).

• Average in-state tuition: $329.59 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,144.83 per credit hour
• Financial aid: USU assists with institutional and external scholarships, grants, assistantships, non-resident tuition waivers, federal loans and work-study opportunities, and travel grants associated with professional presentations at regional, national, international, and virtual conferences.
• Accreditation: NWCCU

Explore Affordable Online Master's Degrees

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