10 Best Free Online Graduate Courses & Classes

If you're thinking about enrolling in a graduate degree program or simply want to learn more about a specific subject area, taking free courses is the way to go.

By enrolling in free online courses, you have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of the subject and find out if it's an area of interest you can further pursue.

Unfortunately, finding a free online graduate course is not always easy since graduate courses typically come at a cost.

Keep reading to see if there are accredited colleges and universities offering free online graduate courses today.

Top Free Online Graduate Courses

At this time, there are no accredited schools offering free online graduate courses; however, there are some great low-cost graduate programs to enjoy. Read on to learn more.

1. University of North Georgia

At the University of North Georgia, students can take advantage of more than a dozen online master's and doctoral degree programs � all at affordable costs.

Whether students want to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching, a Master of Public Administration, or a Master of Science in Kinesiology, tuition is just $303 per credit, in-state and out-of-state.

Doctoral degrees like the Doctor of Education and Doctor of Criminal Justice deliver the same low-cost tuition rates.

2. University of the Cumberlands

The University of the Cumberlands offers affordable graduate programs for students interested in studying education and teaching.

The online Master of Arts in Education prepares educators for jobs in administration as well as roles in leadership outside of education.

The online Master of Arts in Teaching helps students become expert educators and improves their ability to integrate technologies into their curriculum.

Both programs are available at the low cost of $315 per credit hour.

3. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University delivers online graduate degree options in the humanities, business, education, health and behavioral sciences, science, and more.

In total, the university offers 60 online graduate degrees at the master's, education specialist, and doctoral levels.

Degrees are available in English, history, business administration, counseling, special education, psychology, and computer science.

Online students enrolled in most graduate programs pay the low cost of $319.45 per credit hour.

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Students interested in a low-cost master's degree that focuses on mediation and arbitration can find a great option from California State University - Dominguez Hills.

The Master of Arts in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding helps students strengthen their conflict resolution and conflict management skills.

The goal of this degree is to prepare students for roles in fields like human resource management, counseling, police work, education, and litigation.

Program enrollees pay the low rate of $321 per unit.

5. Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University is home to several affordable online graduate degree programs.

The Master of Science (MS) in Forensic Sciences prepares students for forensic science careers and costs just $323.77 per credit in-state.

The MS in Interdisciplinary Studies allows students to deepen their knowledge of more than one discipline. Its cost is $350.35 per credit in-state.

The MS in Health Care Administration ensures students are ready for management or executive roles in health care. Tuition is $372,62 per credit in-state.

6. California State University - Northridge

Students attending California State University - Northridge can choose from various online graduate degree programs.

The university offers online master's degrees in areas like communication disorders, educational administration, taxation, and assistive technology studies.

Additional professional development graduate programs focus on accountancy, biology, computer engineering, English, public administration, and more.

Tuition for graduate students taking 6 or fewer credits is just $2,082 per semester. Those who take more than 6 credits pay $3,588 per semester.

7. Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University offers more than a dozen online graduate programs for students interested in earning their degrees for less.

Online master's degrees are available in areas like business, human resources, health, fire science, information technology, homeland security, and public administration.

Students can earn an MBA, MS in Criminal Justice Administration, MS in Emergency Services Management, and much more.

Graduate degree tuition is $349 per credit hour. The CSU Learning Partner rate is only $314.10 per credit.

8. Emporia State University

Individuals interested in the field of accounting can enroll in Emporia State University's Master of Accountancy online program and save big.

The program costs just $10,890 across the 30-credit program, which comes to about $363 per credit hour.

Enrollees learn advanced accounting for non-profit, for-profit, and government accounting management.

This AACSB-accredited program ensures students are ready for the CPA exam and roles as CPAs, internal auditors, forensic accountants, controllers, and more.

9. Southeast Missouri State University

At Southeast Missouri State University, students can choose from multiple master's degree programs � all available online.

Degrees include the MA in Higher Education Administration, the MA in Applied Behavior Analysis, the MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and the MS in Agribusiness.

The university also offers a Master of Science in Technology Management online degree option.

Students enrolled in online graduate programs at Southeast Missouri State University pay just $364.70 per credit in tuition costs.

10. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University offers 20 master's and specialist degrees with courses students can take from the comfort of home.

Online degree options include the Master of Education with majors in Instructional Technology, Special Education, Educational Leadership, or Teacher Leadership.

Students can also enroll in the Master of Arts in American Studies, the Master of Science in Information Systems, or the Master of Science in Civil Engineering, among other programs.

The cost of online graduate tuition is $383 per credit hour.

Are Free Online Courses Actually Free?

Yes, free online courses are generally completely free of charge.

Some schools offer Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which allow students to study materials at their own pace without paying any fees.

Depending on the college or university offering MOOCs, you might have to sign up for a free account to gain access and track your progress.

Other platforms don't require sign-ins and allow you to simply download materials or watch free videos and read texts on their platforms.

While free online graduate courses are challenging to find, there are plenty of accredited schools offering online undergraduate courses free of charge.

Can I Earn a Free Graduate Degree Online?

There are currently no schools offering free graduate degree programs online.

Depending on the school and program you choose, however, you can find very affordable online graduate programs.

Some colleges and universities charge as little as $300 per credit hour to earn a master's or specialist degree in a wide range of subject areas.

If you already have a bachelor's degree but would like to earn a graduate degree in a new field, a great way to gauge your interest in new subjects is to take free online undergraduate courses.

Once you're sure the subject aligns with your interests and career goals, you can enroll in an affordable online graduate program.

How to Make an Online Graduate Degree Affordable

If you are interested in earning a graduate degree and want to make the cost more affordable, there are a lot of ways to reduce your tuition.

You could pursue a graduate assistantship, which requires work in exchange for tuition support, or secure a graduate fellowship that requires no service in exchange for a tuition waiver.

Graduate students can also pursue scholarships or seek financial aid like grants and student loans by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Military service members and veterans in graduate school could take advantage of the Montgomery GI Bill or the Military College Loan Repayment Program.

You could also take advantage of a tuition reimbursement program through which your employer reimburses you for some or all of your graduate school tuition costs.

Pay Less for Online Graduate Courses Today

Building your knowledge of new subjects can be very exciting, particularly when you're able to do so via reduced-cost online graduate courses. Take advantage of the opportunity to study online free of charge or at a lower price today.