5 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in Montana 2025

Online learning is a great way for busy students to further their postsecondary education. These programs are often much more flexible than on-campus classes, making it the ideal option for those who work or have family to care for.

Although graduate school can be expensive, many colleges and universities offer affordable online master's degree programs. Keep reading to discover affordable online master's programs in Montana.

5 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Montana

Looking at cheap online colleges can help you lower your tuition rates. Below, we've highlighted schools with cheap online master's degrees in Montana.

1. Montana State University Billings

Montana State University Billings is a public institution in Billings, MT. It offers several online graduate programs in fields like curriculum and instruction, healthcare administration, public relations, and school counseling.

In-state tuition at MSU Billings is $278.15 per credit hour for online master's degrees. For out-of-state students, the tuition rate is $575.32 per credit

• Average cost per credit hour: $278.15
• Financial aid: MSU Billings accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

2. Montana Technological University

At Montana Technological University, students can earn two Master of Science (MS) degrees online. The first is in industrial hygiene, and the second is in project engineering and management.

Montana Tech, a public university, is based in Butte, MT. Tuition for Montana residents is $291.31 per credit, while tuition for nonresidents is $766.55 per credit

• Average cost per credit hour: $291.31
• Financial aid: Montana Tech offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: NWCCU

3. Montana State University

Montana State University's flagship campus offers nearly a dozen online master's degrees. The flagship campus of the public university system is located in Bozeman, MT.

Online students can earn master's degrees in fields like education, environmental science, finance, and nursing. The tuition rate for Montana residents is $314.96 per credit, while the rate for non-residents is $430.65 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $314.96
• Financial aid: MSU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.
• Accreditation: NWCCU

4. University of Montana

Around 10 online master's degrees are available at the University of Montana. Areas of study include business administration, educational administration, public administration, and public health.

The University of Montana, located in Missoula, is the flagship campus of the public Montana University System. In-state tuition is around $350.25 per credit for online graduate students, while out-of-state tuition is $1,51.75 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $350.25
• Financial aid: UM accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: NWCCU

5. Montana State University-Northern

Montana State University-Northern is a public institution in Havre, MT. It offers an online Master of Science in instruction and learning, which prepares students to understand, identify, and solve common issues in education.

In-state tuition for this program is $398.50 per credit hour. Out-of-state students pay a rate of $1,037.87 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $398.50
• Financial aid: MSUN accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: NWCCU

Other Affordable Online Master's Programs

The exciting thing about online learning is that you're not limited to graduate schools in your state. Below, we've featured a few other schools from across the country that offer affordable online master's programs.

University of the People

Students at the University of the People can choose from three online master's degrees: a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Education (MEd), and a Master of Science in information technology.

University of the People, a private, nonprofit online school, is headquartered in Pasadena, CA. It's unique in that it does not charge a tuition rate. Instead, it charges a $60 application fee and then an assessment fee for each online course you finish.

The MEd degree is $350 per course, for a total of about $4,610 for the whole degree, including the application fee. The MBA and IT degrees are $400 per credit, for a total of $4,860.

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

Northeastern State University

Northeastern State University offers over a dozen master's degrees online. NSU is a public university in Tahlequah, OK.

Areas of study at NSU include business administration, education, health sciences, and social sciences. Tuition is $290.92 per credit for Oklahoma residents, but non-residents don't pay much more�just $291.92 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $291.92
• Financial aid: NSU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Campbellsville University

A variety of master's programs are available to online learners at Campbellsville University. Areas of study include an MBA with concentrations like health administration and human resource management, as well as degrees in fields like data science, education, and nursing practice.

Campbellsville University, located in Campbellsville, KY, is a private Christian school. Tuition here varies by program, with several programs, particularly in education and teaching, at $319 per credit. Tuition tops out at $603 per credit for the Master of Science in nursing (MSN) programs.

• Average cost per credit hour: $450
• Financial aid: Campbellsville University accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

California State University, Dominguez Hills

California State University, Dominguez Hills is a public school in Carson, CA. It offers several unique master's degrees online in fields like negotiation, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding (NCRP), quality assurance, radiologic and Imaging Sciences (RIS), and systems engineering.

Tuition here is program-dependent. The degree in NCRP is just $337 per credit, while the online Master of Public Administration (MPA) is the most expensive at $430 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $480
• Financial aid: CSUDH accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: WASC WSCUC

Eastern Illinois University

Through Eastern Illinois University, students will find a number of online master's degrees. Areas of study include business administration, cybersecurity, education, and social sciences.

EIU, a public university, is located in Charleston, IL. It charges $344.25 per credit for most online master's degrees; a few programs have higher rates for out-of-state students.

• Average cost per credit hour: $344.25
• Financial aid: EIU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the affordable online master's programs above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: We chose only public and private nonprofit schools that are regionally accredited.
• Affordability: Once we narrowed down which accredited Montana colleges offer online education at the master's level, we chose the most affordable. After that, we expanded our search to other schools in the U.S. offering affordable options to out-of-state students.
• Program reputation: All schools are known for offering high-quality graduate programs through online or distance learning.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in Montana

Finding the right online program can feel overwhelming. We've answered some FAQs about cheap online master's degrees below to help you out.

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

All the Montana colleges and universities listed above offer online master's degrees for less than $400 per credit. However, the cost you pay will depend on several factors.

First, it depends on which school you choose. While the schools above charge $400 or less, others in Montana, like the University of Providence, charge over $1,000 per credit.

At some schools, it will also depend on which major you choose. Degrees in education are often the least expensive, while nursing and business administration programs, which are some of the highest-paying master's degrees, also cost the most.

Tuition also depends on if you have transfer credits. Some four-year schools allow students to start taking graduate-level coursework in their bachelor's degree program, which reduces the time and money spent on your graduate degree.

Finally, tuition also depends on financial aid. All students should fill out the FAFSA, but you may also find financial aid through your school, private organizations, and your employer.

What Is the Cheapest College in Montana?

The cheapest Montana college depends on what level of degree you're earning; associate degrees at community colleges cost far less than degrees at four-year schools. However, if we're focusing specifically on master's degrees, MSU Billings is the least expensive, followed by Montana Tech.

To keep your costs low, look for cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA. In addition to FAFSA, you may also find financial aid through your school, private organizations, and your employer.

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

The easiest master's degree will depend on your skills and your prior higher education experience. Degrees in business, education, and nursing are all very common online options. Many students find MBAs to be the easiest, as they do not require practicum components like degrees in education and nursing often do.

Does the University of Montana Offer Online Degrees?

The University of Montana offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, as well as graduate certificates, both in-person and online. Online master's programs are available in the following majors:

• business administration, with several specializations
• business analytics
• education
• educational leadership
• public administration
• public health
• school counseling
• social work
• teacher librarian studies

Find an Online Master's Degree

Start your journey toward reaching your career goals by exploring the online master's degrees on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid opportunities.