10 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in Michigan 2025

Many bachelor's degree holders choose to further their education by earning a master's degree. Master's degrees are often available online so that students can still work or take care of family while studying.

Although graduate degrees can often be expensive, there are plenty of schools that offer cheap master's degrees online. Keep reading to discover the top cheap online master's degrees in Michigan.

10 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Michigan

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Michigan has some of the highest tuition rates in the country. However, it's still possible for students to find affordable online master's programs in the state. Below, we've highlighted the least expensive online master's programs in Michigan.

1. Baker College

Baker College is a private, nonprofit university in Owosso, MI. It offers one of the cheapest online master's degrees in the state: a Master of Science (MS) in information systems for $350 per credit hour.

The school also offers a registered nurse (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program for $500 per credit hour. All other online programs at Baker College, including the Master of Business Administration (MBA), the MS in data science, and the MS in occupational therapy, are $600 per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $483.33
• Financial aid: The school accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional scholarships, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Grace Christian University

At Grace Christian University, students can choose from four online master's degrees: an MBA, a Master of Arts (MA) in higher education leadership, an MA in ministry, and an MA in organizational leadership.

Grace Christian is a private religious institution in Grand Rapids, MI. It charges a tuition rate of $495 per credit hour for all online master's degree programs.

• Average cost per credit hour: $495
• Financial aid: The school accepts FAFSA, offers institutional scholarships, and it accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Cornerstone University

Cornerstone University offers several online master's degrees in fields like business, counseling, and religious studies. The private Christian school is located in Grand Rapids, MI.

Tuition costs vary by program. The master's degrees in ministry and education cost $515 per credit hour, while the degrees in counseling and leadership are each $565. The online MBA, with concentrations in areas such as healthcare, human resources, and project management, is $610 per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $563.33
• Financial aid: It accepts FAFSA and private aid, while also offering its own institutional scholarships.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Michigan State University

Dozens of master's degrees are available online through Michigan State University. The cost of tuition depends on the program, with some of the least-expensive online options being:

• MA in youth development: $600 per credit
• MA in family community services: $610 per credit
• MA in foreign language teaching: $700 per credit
• Master of Public Health (MPH): $725 per credit

MSU, located in East Lansing, MI, is a public research university. Other online master's degrees here include an MS in accounting and data analytics ($817.25 per credit), an MA in criminal justice ($857 per credit), and an MA in special education ($933 per credit).

• Average cost per credit hour: $850
• Financial aid: The school accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. University of Olivet

The University of Olivet is a private Christian school in Olivet, MI. It offers four online master's degrees: an MBA, a Master of Education (MEd), an MA in counseling, and an MA in leadership.

In January of 2025, the university significantly reduced the costs for graduate programs. All programs through the Graduate School cost $600 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $600
• Financial aid: The school accepts FAFSA and private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Calvin University

Students at Calvin University can earn master's degrees online in several fields. Tuition varies by program, and some of the most affordable options are:

• Master of Education: $614 per credit
• Master of Business Administration: $693 per credit
• MS in geographic information systems: $693 per credit
• MS in exercise science: $693 per credit

Calvin University is a private Christian institution in Grand Rapids, MI. It also offers a Master of Social Work (MSW) for $720 per credit hour and an MA in speech-language pathology at a rate of $966.

• Average cost per credit hour: $730
• Financial aid: The university accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Andrews University

Andrews University offers over a dozen online graduate degrees. This private Christian school is located in Berrien Springs, MI.

A few of these degrees are only $660 per credit, like an MA in learning technologies, an MS in medical laboratory sciences, an MPH, and a Master of Health Administration (MHA). Other available degrees include an MBA ($884 per credit), an MA in teaching ($1,318), and an MA in leadership ($1,318 per credit).

• Average cost per credit hour: $880
• Financial aid: The school accepts FAFSA and private aid for its programs. It also offers its own institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Kettering University

A handful of business and engineering master's programs are available online through Kettering University. The least expensive programs are the MS in operations management and the MS in engineering management, each at $663 per credit hour.

Kettering University, located in Flint, MI, is a private, nonprofit school. It also offers an online MS in lean manufacturing and an MS in lean systems, both for $965 per credit hour, an online MBA for $984 per credit, and an online MS in supply chain management for $949.

• Average cost per credit hour: $885
• Financial aid: It accepts FAFSA and private aid, as well as institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

9. Northern Michigan University

Northern Michigan University is a public institution in Marquette, MI. It offers several online master's degrees in fields like business, education, public administration, and nursing.

Most online master's programs at NMU are $703 per credit hour. However, there are a few exceptions, like the MBA and MSN ($819 per credit hour) and the MS in clinical molecular genetics ($772 per credit hour).

• Average cost per credit hour: $703
• Financial aid: The university accepts FAFSA and private aid. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

10. Siena Heights University

Through Siena Heights University, students will find a few online master's degrees. Areas of study include business administration, nursing, healthcare leadership, and organizational leadership.

This private Catholic university is located in Adrian, MI. It charges $705 per credit hour for all online master's degrees except the MBA, which is $790.

• Average cost per credit hour: $705
• Financial aid: The school accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and it also accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the affordable online colleges listed above, we focused on:

• Location: All the schools listed above are located in Michigan.
• Accreditation: Each school on this list holds regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, which ensures they provide quality education to in-person and online students.
• Type: We only selected four-year public or private nonprofit schools to be sure the programs offered are high-quality.
• Affordability: Once we found the schools in Michigan that meet this criteria and offer online master's degrees, we sorted them by which have the lowest tuition rates.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in Michigan

It can be tricky to find what online learning experience will cost you the least. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about cheap online master's programs in Michigan.

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

All the schools listed above offer online master's degrees that cost less than $750 per credit hour. However, the cost of your degree will depend heavily on the school you choose and your major.

Usually, public schools cost less than private ones, but that's not always the case in Michigan. According to the NCES, Michigan has the ninth highest in-state tuition at public universities, but it's only 23rd in tuition from private universities.

It may be obvious when you look at our list above ?eight out of 10 schools are private. Meanwhile, tuition rates at some other public schools in Michigan look like this:

• University of Michigan-Flint: starting at $771 per credit
• Central Michigan University: starting at $793 per credit
• Eastern Michigan University: starting at $986 per credit
• University of Michigan (Ann Arbor): starting at $1,300 per credit

Education and teaching programs are often, though not always, some of the least expensive programs. Meanwhile, MBAs, which are some of the highest-paying master's degrees, are also some of the most expensive.

Other things that can affect your tuition costs are whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student, whether you have transfer credits, and what financial aid you qualify for.

Is There Financial Aid for Online Master's Programs in Michigan?

Graduate students can use financial aid to help pay for their online courses. All students should fill out the FAFSA as this determines eligibility for federal and state aid programs.

Sometimes, these programs don't cover graduate programs. However, many colleges and universities offer institutional aid, like scholarships and assistantships, to help students pay for their coursework. Private scholarship and aid options are available as well.

Are Online Master's Degrees Cheaper Than In-Person Programs?

In many cases, online programs are less expensive than on-campus ones. However, this varies between schools, and can even vary between programs.

It can also depend on whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student. At NMU, for example, in-state students pay $703 for most on-campus programs, while out-of-state students pay $919. Most online graduate programs are $703 regardless of where you live.

How Long Does an Online Master's Program Take?

In most cases, online master's degrees take one to three years of full-time study, with two years being the most common. However, some schools offer accelerated programs, while others offer part-time schedules ideal for busy working adults.

Find an Online Master's Degree

Find the perfect online master's degree by exploring the affordable options featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.