5 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in New Mexico 2025

Students can pursue affordable master's degrees online at several New Mexico schools. A variety of cheap out-of-state options can also help students save money.

Getting a cheap master's degree online can help you pursue career advancement and potentially higher salary opportunities. If you live in New Mexico, you may be wondering if any schools in your state offer affordable online master's programs.

Keep reading as we explore several top schools in New Mexico and the cheap online master's degrees they offer. We'll also look at some affordable out-of-state options and answer a few questions you may have.

5 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in New Mexico

There are several affordable online colleges in New Mexico. Let's look closer at several of these schools and the online master's degrees they offer.

1. Navajo Technical University

Navajo Technical University is a public, tribal school located in Crownpoint. The school offers primarily associate and bachelor's degrees, but two master's programs are available online: electrical engineering and information systems.

Students must have a Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) or official document denoting membership in a federally recognized Native American tribe. Those who are admitted into this school have access to some of the lowest tuition rates in the state.

  • Average cost per semester: $900 to $1,800
  • Financial aid: State and federal aid, grants, scholarships
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University is one of New Mexico's most affordable online colleges that accept FAFSA. This public school, located in Portales, offers a variety of online master's degrees, including:

  • secondary education
  • special education
  • anthropology
  • counseling
  • entrepreneurship

Students can also earn a highly affordable Master of Business Administration (MBA) at this school with an optional concentration in accounting.

  • Average cost per credit hour: $317
  • Financial aid: State aid, federal aid, grants, loans, scholarships
  • Accreditation: HLC

3. University of New Mexico

The University of New Mexico is a large research university with an enrollment of 22,700 at its main campus in Albuquerque. Students can pursue various online master's degrees at this school, including:

  • cybersecurity and business analytics
  • educational leadership
  • space systems engineering
  • dental hygiene
  • construction management

Some programs offer an accelerated format with eight-week courses. All programs offer flexibility, making it easy for students to study full-time or part-time.

  • Average cost per credit hour: $349.28 to $428.12
  • Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, state and federal aid
  • Accreditation: HLC

4. New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University is a public school in Las Cruces. It offers a wealth of online programs for graduate students, including master's degrees such as:

  • information technology
  • public health
  • civil engineering
  • economics
  • data analytics

The school offers flexibility, convenience, and plenty of student support services to help online learners succeed.

  • Average cost per credit hour: $444.40
  • Financial aid: State aid, grants, loans, scholarships
  • Accreditation: HLC

5. New Mexico Highlands University

New Mexico Highlands University is located in Las Vegas, NM. Online learners at this school can earn seven different master's degrees online, including:

  • Master of Social Work (MSW)
  • healthcare administration
  • cultural resource management
  • criminology
  • nursing

Though tuition rates are slightly higher than some of the schools on this list, they apply to both in-state and out-of-state students taking online courses and are still some of the lowest rates in New Mexico.

  • Average cost per credit hour: $525
  • Financial aid: Institutional scholarships, state and federal aid, loans
  • Accreditation: HLC

Other Affordable Online Master's Programs

Online learning opportunities allow students to study from home at schools located anywhere in the country. Let's look at some top affordable out-of-state graduate programs available for online students.

University of Texas Permian Basin

The University of Texas Permian Basin is a member of the University of Texas System and is known for its affordable online degree programs. Some of the master's degrees available include:

  • energy business
  • kinesiology
  • history
  • literacy
  • marketing

All online learners pay the same low tuition rates regardless of residency. Online learning options are highly flexible and designed to meet the needs of busy working professionals.

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

Central Methodist University

Central Methodist University is a private school located in Missouri. Its School of Professional and Continuing Education provides various online programs, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), as well as degrees in:

  • math
  • health professions education
  • information technology management
  • business administration

Online learners pay generally lower tuition rates than on-campus students, though these rates vary depending on the specific program. Students enjoy flexible courses, many of which are offered in convenient eight-week sessions.

  • Average cost per credit hour: $290 to $520
  • Financial aid: Federal aid, scholarships, loans
  • Accreditation: HLC

Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University is a public school offering a variety of online programs. Some of the master's degrees available include:

  • emergency management and homeland security
  • higher education and student affairs
  • liberal arts
  • organizational leadership and learning
  • curriculum leadership

Both in-state and out-of-state graduate students pay the same affordable tuition rates, making this a great option for learners who live outside of Arkansas.

  • Average cost per credit hour: $314.50
  • Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, loans, federal aid
  • Accreditation: HLC

Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University is a public school in Kansas offering many online degrees at various program levels. Master's degrees students can earn online include:

  • professional studies
  • psychology
  • computer science
  • agribusiness
  • library media specialist

Most programs cost the same affordable tuition rates, and all online students pay the same rates regardless of residency.

  • Average cost per credit hour: $338.62
  • Financial aid: Scholarships, loans, grants
  • Accreditation: HLC

Athens State University

Athens State University is a public school in Alabama. It offers many online degrees, including master's programs such as:

  • religious studies
  • interdisciplinary studies
  • accountancy
  • training and development
  • strategic human resources management

All online learners pay the same highly affordable graduate tuition rates and enjoy the flexibility of an online learning environment.

  • Average cost per credit hour: $369
  • Financial aid: Federal aid, scholarships
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

We endeavor to select only top higher education options when creating our school rank lists. We used the following criteria when choosing the online degree programs and schools featured above:

  • Accreditation: Each school is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization such as the Higher Learning Commission.
  • Affordability: The programs featured are the most affordable in the state, with most charging in-state tuition rates under $500 per credit hour.
  • Program reputation: Each graduate school has a reputation for offering high-quality in-person and online education opportunities.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in New Mexico

If you still have questions about pursuing affordable online coursework as a graduate student, keep reading. Below, we'll answer some common questions you may be wondering about.

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

Tuition rates vary widely depending on the school and degree program. The affordable schools featured in this article charge rates as low as $900 per semester, allowing students to earn their entire degrees for around $2,700 or less. More expensive, private schools in the state may charge $675 per credit hour or more. Executive MBA programs often cost more than $1,000 per credit hour, potentially paying $30,000 to $60,000 in total tuition.

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

Even affordable master's degrees can be pricey for students on a budget. If you can't afford paying for your degree out of pocket, you can apply for financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

You can also apply for scholarships, grants, and other types of funding through outside organizations. Your employer may also provide tuition assistance or reimbursement as a benefit, covering some or all of your expenses.

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

''Easy'' is a subjective term; what one student considers easy may be quite challenging for another. That said, students generally agree that some of the easiest online master's degrees include business administration, library and information science, communication, and criminal justice.

Is an Online Master's Degree Worth the Money?

The answer to this question will depend on your career goals and how much time and money you end up investing in your degree. High-paying master's degrees, such as computer engineering or nursing, may be necessary if you plan to pursue career paths that require master's degrees.

Getting a master's degree in any field can also increase your earning potential and help you qualify for a wider array of career paths. Earning your degree affordably is the best way to ensure the time and money you invest pays off in the long run.

Find Online Graduate Degree Programs

If you're ready to start taking online courses toward a master's degree, explore the schools here on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the colleges or universities to find out more about their online master's programs and to choose the best option for you.