8 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in Arkansas 2025

Pursuing a cheap online master's degree can be a great investment; often, those with master's degrees make more money and have more career opportunities than those with bachelor's degrees alone. If you're interested in going back to school and you live in Arkansas, you may be wondering which schools in your state offer the cheapest online master's degree programs.

Keep reading as we explore some affordable online master's programs and schools in Arkansas. We'll also look at a couple of top out-of-state options and provide answers to some frequently asked questions.

8 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Arkansas

There are quite a few affordable online colleges offering master's degrees in Arkansas. Let's take a closer look at some of the best options.

1. Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University is a public school in Russellville. It is one of the cheapest online colleges that accept FAFSA in Arkansas. Some of its online master's degrees include:

• information technology
• cybersecurity
• educational leadership
• digital marketing
• liberal arts

Online degrees offer flexible learning options for busy students, and a wide range of options are available for them to choose from.

• Average cost per credit hour: $314.50
• Financial aid: grants, scholarships, loans, and federal aid
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Southern Arkansas University

Southern Arkansas University's main campus is located in Magnolia. Students attending this school online can pursue various master's programs, including:

• agriculture
• business analytics
• teaching
• computer and information science
• public administration

An online Master of Business Administration (MBA) is also available with a variety of concentrations, including social entrepreneurship, supply chain management, and business leadership.

• Average cost per credit hour: $320
• Financial aid: scholarships, federal aid, student loans, grants, and work-study
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University (A-State) is located in Jonesboro and enrolls around 14,000 students. Many online degrees are available, including master's degrees in areas such as:

• nutrition and dietetics
• strategic communications
• education
• business administration
• nursing

Many of the degree programs cost the same amount per credit hour, but some programs feature higher or lower tuition rates. All coursework is highly flexible, and students can choose to study part-time or full-time.

• Average cost per credit hour: $340+
• Financial aid: federal and state aid, grants, scholarships, and loans
• Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Central Arkansas

The University of Central Arkansas is a public school in Conway. It offers various online master's degrees, including the following:

• sports management
• instructional technology
• health promotion
• school counseling
• family and consumer sciences

Students can access online courses anytime and from anywhere they have an internet connection. All remote learners play the same flat-rate online tuition rates regardless of residency.

• Average cost per credit hour: $349
• Financial aid: grants, scholarships, loans, and federal and state aid
• Accreditation: HLC

5. University of Arkansas Grantham

The University of Arkansas Grantham is an online-only school headquartered in Little Rock. This public school offers various online programs, including master's degrees. Areas of study include:

• leadership
• healthcare administration
• business administration
• information technology
• human resources

The MBA program offers an accelerated option as well as specializations for students hoping to personalize their education. Programs are highly flexible and charge the same tuition rates for all students.

• Average cost per credit hour: $365
• Financial aid: federal aid and scholarships
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

6. University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public school providing both online and on-campus degree programs. Some of the online master's degrees available include:

• counseling
• professional and technical writing
• data science
• social work
• learning systems technology

Online programs are taught by the same high-quality faculty who teach in-person courses, and a variety of support services are in place to ensure the success of all students.

• Average cost per credit hour: $396
• Financial aid: grants, scholarships, loans, and state and federal aid
• Accreditation: HLC

7. University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas's main campus is located in Fayetteville. Students attending this school can complete their education remotely through U of A Online. Some of the online master's programs include:

• agricultural and food law
• community college leadership
• engineering management
• environmental resiliency
• operations analytics

Programs are flexible enough to meet the needs of busy working adults and are designed by campus-based departments to bring the same high level of education to both online and in-person learners.

• Average cost per credit hour: $446.29
• Financial aid: scholarships, loans, grants, and state and federal aid
• Accreditation: HLC

8. University of Arkansas Monticello

The University of Arkansas Monticello is another member of the University of Arkansas System. Students can pursue a variety of online degrees and certificates, including master's degrees in areas like:

• creative writing
• physical education and coaching
• English
• teaching
• nursing

Most classes follow a semester-based schedule to help students stay on track but still provide the flexibility of being able to study from any location.

• Average cost per credit hour: $452.50
• Financial aid: federal aid, state aid, scholarships, and loans
• Accreditation: HLC

Other Affordable Online Master's Programs

Students pursuing higher education online aren't limited to in-state schools; a variety of affordable out-of-state options are also available. Let's look at some top affordable graduate programs available for online students throughout the U.S.

University of Texas Permian Basin

The University of Texas Permian Basin is known for its affordable online degrees. Located in Odessa, TX, the school offers various online master's degrees in areas such as:

• bilingual/ESL
• social work
• public administration
• business administration
• special education

Online learners pay the same affordable, in-state tuition rate regardless of where they live, making this an excellent school choice for students throughout the country.

• Average cost per credit hour: $274.87
• Financial aid: institutional scholarships, federal aid, loans, and grants
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University is located in Kansas. This regional public school offers a wide range of online degree programs, including:

• gerontology
• management information systems
• criminal justice
• healthcare management
• health and human performance

Courses are flexible, and tuition is the same affordable rate for all students in most programs. With so many degree specializations available, students are sure to find a program that works for them.

• Average cost per credit hour: $338.62
• Financial aid: scholarships, grants, and federal aid
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

We strive to choose the highest-quality programs possible when creating our rank lists. The following criteria were used to select the online graduate programs featured above:

• Accreditation: Each online school is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body.
• Affordability: All of the schools feature affordable online degree programs, with most programs costing under $500 per credit hour.
• Program reputation: Every school on the list is known for offering top-notch on-campus and online education options.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in Arkansas

If you're still wondering about completing online courses toward a master's degree affordably, you're not alone. Read on for answers to some commonly asked questions you may have.

How Much Does an Online Master's Degree Cost in Arkansas?

Different schools charge vastly different tuition rates, and sometimes different master's programs within the same school cost different amounts. Generally speaking, a master's degree can cost anywhere from around $9,435 to $38,400 or more depending on the school you attend, the type of program, and the number of credit hours required to complete your degree.

Does the University of Arkansas Offer Online Degrees?

Yes, as noted above, the University of Arkansas's main campus offers a wide range of affordable online degree programs, including a variety of master's degrees. Additionally, several other schools belonging to the University of Arkansas System also offer master's degrees online.

What Is the Easiest Master's Degree To Get Online?

All master's degree programs feature challenging, advanced coursework, so none of them should really be considered easy. However, some students may find certain programs less challenging than others. Top online master's degrees typically considered to be less challenging include library and information science, teaching, and human resource management.

Is an Online Master's Degree Worth the Money?

The highest-paying master's degrees often pay off in a big way, enabling graduates to pursue lucrative new career opportunities and advancement within their field. Circumstances can vary, and the wisdom of pursuing an online master's degree often depends on your career goals; that said, those who earn their degrees online at affordable schools often find that they are well worth the time and money invested according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Earn a Graduate Degree Online

If you're ready to pursue enrollment in an online master's program, consider the colleges and universities featured on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools today to find out more about their degree programs and to choose the right one for you.