10 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in Connecticut 2025

Bachelor's degrees are often the minimum requirement to start many entry-level careers, but workers looking to advance their careers might need a master's degree. Graduate programs on campus often aren't convenient for learners with full-time careers or other responsibilities.

However, students in Connecticut can find enrollment opportunities in affordable online master's degree programs to earn advanced degrees without sacrificing for in-person higher education. Learn about these cheap online master's degrees in fields of study such as cybersecurity, education, business administration, and more available from top-ranking universities in Connecticut.

10 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Connecticut

Connecticut learners can find cheap online colleges with master's degree programs across Connecticut. These schools offer different master's degrees that pay well and specializations, so it's a good idea to research all of the available affordable online master's programs to make sure you find the best school for your educational and career goals.

1. Central Connecticut State University

Online students at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) can enroll in five different master's degree programs in subjects such as strategic communications, data science, and supply chain and logistics management. These courses are taught by the same full-time faculty as in-person programs. Online students also have full access to all of the same support services as their on-campus classmates.

• Average cost per credit hour: $809 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students who submit their FAFSA can qualify for grants and federal work-study programs. CCSU also offers exclusive scholarship opportunities to graduate students.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. Eastern Connecticut State University

Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) offers four different graduate degrees through distance education programs. Learners can earn degrees in accounting, management, applied data science, and special education. These programs are delivered in an asynchronous format, allowing students to review lectures and complete coursework independently to earn their degrees at their own pace.

• Average cost per credit hour: $750 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students can apply for state-based and third-party scholarships as well as federal, state, and institutional grants.
• Accreditation: NECHE

3. University of Bridgeport

The online master's degrees available at the University of Bridgeport (UB) include computer science, data analytics, education, and more. These programs include multiple specialization options, as well as hybrid learning formats, that allow students to find the best concentration and learning style for them. Online students can access the same comprehensive support services as their on-campus classmates.

• Average cost per credit hour: $620 to $745 per credit hour
• Financial aid: All students can submit their FAFSA for federal aid, but graduate students at UB can qualify for targeted scholarships, work-study programs, assistantships, and payment plans.
• Accreditation: NECHE

4. Albertus Magnus College

There are nine master's degrees available online at Albertus Magnus College (AMC). Popular fields of study include healthcare management, criminal justice, and writing. Albertus delivers online coursework in accelerated formats, allowing students to earn their degrees faster. AMC's students can also apply life credits to their degree to capitalize on other learning and real-world experience to substitute online courses.

• Average cost per credit hour: $817 to $1,022 per credit hour
• Financial aid: In addition to traditional grants, scholarships, and work-study programs, AMC students can also qualify for tuition discounts based on their employer, such as being a first responder or working at a nonprofit.
• Accreditation: NECHE

5. University of Connecticut

The University of Connecticut (UConn) has 17 online master's degree programs. Students can choose from high-quality programs including data science, financial technology, and human resources management.

UConn's online graduate programs include both synchronous and asynchronous delivery formats to promote flexible learning. UConn also provides support and accessibility services, which can make these courses good opportunities for students with physical or learning disabilities.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,084 per credit hour
• Financial aid: UConn accepts FAFSA results for federal programs, and students can also qualify for scholarships, Academic Merit Awards, and TEACH Grants offered at an institutional level.
• Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

6. University of New Haven

The University of New Haven's (UNH) 16 online master's degree programs include public administration, digital forensic investigation, and business analytics. All of these programs use the same curriculum as on-campus degrees, but students can partake in self-paced learning from anywhere. UNH also offers online graduate certificate programs that can further expand a learner's educational path.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,136 per credit hour
• Financial aid: UNH students can qualify for tuition discounts, payment plans, and federal programs after submitting their FAFSA forms.
• Accreditation: NECHE

7. Southern Connecticut State University

Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) offers over 30 fully online master's degrees and graduate certificates. There are also multiple hybrid programs, primarily healthcare and computer science-based, available, which use fully online coursework to complement residency or lab requirements. Some of the fully online programs include business administration, public health, and biology.

• Average cost per credit hour: $484 per credit hour
• Financial aid: SCSU accepts FAFSA results and offers payment plan opportunities.
• Accreditation: NECHE

8. Fairfield University

Online students at Fairfield University can choose from four online graduate degrees and three certificate programs. The degrees available include public administration, communications, interior design, and creative writing. The online programs at Farfield include one-on-one meetings between students and faculty and multiple peer interaction opportunities.

• Average cost per credit hour: $925 o $1,250 per credit hour
• Financial aid: In addition to federal grants and scholarships, Fairfield offers graduate-level assistantships that can help cover tuition costs.
• Accreditation: NECHE

9. Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac University's online graduate degrees have won awards from third-party publications, including U.S. News & World Report. There are 18 total master's degrees and three doctoral degrees available for students looking to advance their careers with education. Some of the subjects available include cybersecurity, social work, and film production.

• Average cost per credit hour: $675 to $1,145 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Quinnipiac offers merit-based scholarships and grants to graduate students and accepts FAFSA results.
• Accreditation: NECHE

10. Western Connecticut State University

Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) has three online master's degrees. The fields of study covered are applied behavioral analysis, health administration, and homeland security.

The online programs at WCSU are delivered in a synchronous format with scheduled class times through Blackboard. This delivery allows faculty to utilize the same tools and lessons for on-campus and online courses.

• Average cost per credit hour: $484 per credit hour.
• Financial aid: Students at WCSU have access to federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships as well as student employment opportunities.
• Accreditation: NECHE

How We Rank Schools

Our methodology for reviewing cheap online master's degrees relies on three strict criteria. This ensures that each program will meet your educational goals and budgetary concerns.

• Accreditation: We only selected accredited programs to ensure that their affordable online master's programs meet educational guidelines.
• Affordability: Every school on this list either has low initial tuition or is a cheap online college that accepts FAFSA.
• Program reputation: All of the universities in this list have high reputations, indicated by awards and recognition from publications like U.S. News & World Report.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in Connecticut

Online graduate degrees have become more popular over the last few years, but many students still have questions. The most common questions include concerns about tuition rates, difficulty, and what to do if tuition is unaffordable.

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

The average cost of an online master's degree in Connecticut can range from around $17,000 to $36,000. Several factors will impact the cost of your online degree program, including your field of study, whether you attend a private or public school, full or part-time enrollment, and your eligibility for financial aid.

How Can I Get Free Tuition for My Master's Degree?

Massachusetts schools don't offer free tuition upfront, but graduate students can apply for special aid, including assistantships, grants, and scholarships. Graduate students should also submit their FAFSA documents each academic year to qualify for federal financial aid.

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

The difficulty of each master's degree program will vary from student to student based on personal interests and skill levels. Some degrees, like creative writing or marketing, will be better suited to online formats, while nursing and other healthcare programs will require in-person learning sessions. Speaking with an academic advisor will help you determine which degree might be the easiest for you and your goals.

How Can I Get My Master's Degree If I Can't Afford It?

Master's degrees are an investment in yourself, but not everyone can afford these investments. Outside of traditional financial aid packages (grants and scholarships), students should look into work-study or assistantship programs to gain more experience and cover tuition costs. Some schools also offer payment plans as an alternative to loans.

Explore Online Graduate Degrees

Whether you're looking for a degree in Connecticut or one offered in another state, read our articles and school profiles to learn everything you need to know about colleges and their online master's degrees. Then, use our resources to connect with schools and start your application process immediately.