8 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in Maine 2025

Master's degrees can help students further their careers or qualify for specific licenses or credentials. These degrees, which often take two years or so of full-time study, are often available online. Online classes are ideal for many graduate students, as they are often much more flexible than in-person classes.

Although graduate degrees can be expensive, many schools offer affordable online master's degree programs. Keep reading to discover the most affordable online master's programs in Maine.

8 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Maine

Across the U.S., there are multiple cheap online colleges that offer master's degrees. Below, we've featured schools with cheap online master's degrees in Maine.

1. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a private Catholic institution in Standish, ME. It offers several online master's degrees in fields like business administration, education, healthcare, and theology.

Tuition for online degrees at SJCM varies by program. The least expensive are the theology programs, at just $410 per credit, and the most expensive are the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees, at $704 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $559
• Financial aid: SJCM accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and also accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. University of Maine at Augusta

At the University of Maine at Augusta, students can choose from two online master's programs: a Master of Science (MS) in cybersecurity and an MS in trauma-informed emergency management. Graduate certificates are available online as well.

UMA, a public school in the University of Maine System, is located in Augusta, ME. The in-state tuition rate for graduate programs is $458 per credit, while out-of-state online students pay $605 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $458
• Financial aid: UMA offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: NECHE

3. University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine offers nearly 20 master's degrees through online learning. The southernmost member of the University of Maine System is based in Portland, ME.

Students at USM can earn degrees in fields like computer science, instructional technology, nursing, and special education. Most programs are $509 per credit, but a few, like the Master of Public Health (MPH), are just $459 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $509
• Financial aid: USM offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.
• Accreditation: NECHE

4. University of Maine at Fort Kent

An online Master of Science in nursing is available from the University of Maine at Fort Kent. This program offers two concentrations: adult-gerontology acute care nursing practice and psychiatric/mental health nursing practice.

UMFK, located in Fort Kent, ME, is another member of the University of Maine System. It charges $500 per credit hour for the online MSN.

• Average cost per credit hour: $500
• Financial aid: UMFK accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional financial aid.
• Accreditation: NECHE

5. Unity Environmental University

Unity Environmental University is a private, nonprofit school focused on the environmental sciences. It offers online master's degrees in fields like animal science, environmental data analytics, sustainability studies, and wildlife conservation.

Tuition at Unity is $550 per credit for all online graduate degrees; there is no difference in tuition for different majors.

• Average cost per credit hour: $550
• Financial aid: Unity accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: NECHE

6. University of Maine

Students at the University of Maine can pursue their graduate studies online. Areas of study for master's degrees include education, information systems, nutrition, and social work.

The flagship campus of the University of Maine system is located in Orono, ME. Tuition here varies by program, from $567 for the Master of Education (MEd) degrees to $750 for the MBA.

• Average cost per credit hour: $664.25
• Financial aid: UMaine offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: NECHE

7. Husson University

Husson University offers a variety of online master's degrees. The private university is based in Bangor, ME.

Students can earn an MBA or MSN online, both with multiple specializations, as well as degrees in psychology and animal behavior. Tuition for online education programs is $598 per credit hour with the exception of the MSN programs, which are $732 per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $665
• Financial aid: Husson University offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.
• Accreditation: NECHE

8. Thomas College

Several online master's degrees are available through Thomas College. Areas of study include business administration, counseling, criminology, and educational leadership.

Thomas College, located in Waterville, ME, is a private college. Tuition for the Master of Education programs is $627, while the MBA and all other online degrees are $692 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $659.50
• Financial aid: Thomas College accepts aid through FAFSA and private providers. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: NECHE

Other Affordable Online Master's Programs

If none of these programs meet your needs, the good thing about online learning is that it doesn't matter what state you live in. Below, we've featured a couple of affordable online master's programs from other states.

University of the People

University of the People is a private, nonprofit online school based in Pasadena. It offers three online master's degrees: an MBA, an MEd, and a Master of Science (MS) in information technology.

University of the People does not charge for tuition. It only charges an assessment fee per online course. The MEd is $350 per course or about $4,500 in total, while the MBA and IT degrees are $400 per course or about $4,800 in total.

• Average cost per credit hour: free
• Financial aid: University of the People offers institutional aid and accepts private aid, but it cannot accept FAFSA.
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Northeastern State University

Through Northeastern State University, students can choose from several online master's degrees. Areas of study include criminal justice, information systems, liberal arts, and special education.

NSU, a public university, is based in Tahlequah, OK. It charges in-state residents $290.92 per credit and charges out-of-state online students just one dollar more, $291.92, per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $290.92
• Financial aid: NSU offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

How We Rank Schools

To choose the cheap online master's degrees for this list, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools are public or private nonprofit and are regionally accredited.
• Affordability: We looked at which accredited schools in Maine had the lowest rates for online master's degrees, then expanded our search to other states.
• Program reputation: All schools are known for providing a high-quality learning experience to online students.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in Maine

Below, we've addressed some frequently asked questions about online master's degree programs in Maine.

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

All of the schools listed above offer at least some of their online master's degrees for less than $650 a credit. However, your costs will depend on several factors.

The school you choose and the program you choose make a big difference. Several on this list have tuition rates around $500 or less, but some schools in Maine, like the University of New England, charge nearly $1,000 per credit for some programs.

Other things that can influence your costs are whether you already have graduate credit hours and what financial aid you qualify for. Looking at cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA can significantly reduce your costs.

What Is the Least Valuable Master's Degree?

Value is subjective, and as a result, the ''least valuable'' master's degree can also be subjective. However, if you're looking purely at return on investment, one of the worst master's degrees is, unfortunately, a Master of Social Work.

Master of Social Work degrees are often some of the most expensive master's degrees, on par with MBAs and MSNs. However, the median salary for social workers is $61,330 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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

The easiest master's degree to get will depend on your strengths and previous educational experience. That being said, MBAs tend to be very easy to earn online, as they don't require the same hands-on experiences that MEd or MSN degrees require.

Is an Online Master's Degree Worth the Money?

For many students, an online master's degree is worth the money. Degrees like MBAs and MSNs, some of the highest-paying master's degrees, can lead to careers that bring students over $100,000 per year. Even degrees that don't have salaries that high can still help students further their careers.

Find Graduate Degrees Online

Find the perfect online master's degree by exploring the programs highlighted on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admission, enrollment, and financial aid.