10 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in North Carolina 2025

Many students choose to continue their higher education after earning an undergraduate degree. Master's degrees can help you further your career prospects and are sometimes required for certification and licensure in certain fields.

Because many graduate students are already working professionals, schools often offer master's degrees through online or distance education. There are many cheap online master's degree programs throughout the U.S. Keep reading to discover affordable online master's programs in North Carolina.

10 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in North Carolina

North Carolina has some of the most affordable tuition rates in the country, and that includes tuition for online master's degrees. Keep reading to discover the variety of cheap online master's degrees in North Carolina.

1. Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City State University is a public historically Black (HBCU) institution in Elizabeth City, NC. It offers an online Master of Education (MEd) in elementary education.

This program offers two tracks: initial certification in K-6 education and teacher leader. The in-state tuition rate for this program is $187.52 per credit, and the out-of-state rate is $913.17 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $187.52
• Financial aid: The school accepts the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Fayetteville State University

At Fayetteville State University, students can choose from five online master's degrees. Areas of study include business administration, criminal justice, nursing, and psychology.

FSU, a public HBCU, is located in Fayetteville, NC. It charges residents $191 per credit hour and non-residents $805.75 for most programs ?the exception is the online Master of Business Administration (MBA), which is $224 per credit for residents and $887.84 per credit for out-of-state students.

• Average cost per credit hour: $191
• Financial aid: FSU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and also accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University offers a handful of graduate degrees online. The public HBCU is located in Winston-Salem, NC.

Online programs at WSSU include an MBA, a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), and a Master of Science (MS) in rehabilitation counseling. All are $215.12 per credit for NC residents and $800.37 for non-residents.

• Average cost per credit hour: $215.12
• Financial aid: The school accepts FAFSA and other private aid. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Several online master's degrees are available at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Areas of study include business administration, education, public administration, and social work.

UNC Pembroke, located in Pembroke, NC, is a public university. It charges in-state residents $237.78 per credit and out-of-state residents $963.28.

• Average cost per credit hour: $237.78
• Financial aid: This university accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina A&T State University is a public research HBCU. It offers online master's degrees in fields like computer science, education, engineering, and information technology.

Most online graduate degrees at NCAT are $250 per credit for in-state students and $877 for out-of-state students. However, some programs, like the MBA, the MS in data analytics, and the MS in cybersecurity, are up to $167 more per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $250
• Financial aid: This school accepts FAFSA and private aid, while also offering institutional aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Western Carolina University

Students at Western Carolina University can find several master's degrees online. Areas of study include health sciences, human resources, school administration, and sports management.

WCU is a public university located in Cullowhee, NC. It charges an in-state tuition rate of $253.78 per credit hour and an out-of-state rate of $849.28. The exception is business degrees, which are an additional $50 for in-state students and $100 for out-of-state students.

• Average cost per credit hour: $253.78
• Financial aid: The school accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers multiple online master's degrees. UNC Charlotte is a public research university in Charlotte, NC.

Most online master's programs in education and teaching, like the MEd in special education and the MEd in curriculum and instruction, are charged at the base rate of $288.82 per credit for in-state students and $1,091.39 per credit for out-of-state students. Some programs have special rates, including the online MBA ($488.33 more per credit), the MSN ($66.67 more per credit), and the MSW ($30 more per credit).

• Average cost per credit hour: $288.82
• Financial aid: The college accepts FAFSA and private financial aid. It offers institutional aid as well.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. East Carolina University

Dozens of online degree programs are available through East Carolina University. Areas of study for graduate programs include data science, education, health informatics, and public health.

ECU, located in Greenville, NC, is a public research university. It charges $289.55 per credit hour to in-state residents and $1,020.05 per credit for out-of-state students. Some programs have additional tuition fees, like the master's in social work ($45 more per credit) and the MBA ($166 more per credit).

• Average cost per credit hour: $289.55
• Financial aid: This university accepts FAFSA, offers its own institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. University of North Carolina Wilmington

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public research institution in Wilmington, NC. It offers master's degrees in education, business, healthcare, and technology to online students.

Most programs have an in-state tuition rate of $293.23 per credit and an out-of-state rate of $1,186.89 per credit. Exceptions include the MBA, at $207.86 more per credit, and the MS in finance and investment management, the MS in business analytics, and the MS in supply chain management at $283.34 more per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $293.23
• Financial aid: It accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. North Carolina Central University

Through North Carolina Central University, students can earn master's degrees in various fields. These include library sciences, music, environmental science, and mathematics.

NCCU is a public HBCU in Durham, NC. It charges in-state graduate students $297.62 per credit and out-of-state graduate students $1,036.95 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $297.62
• Financial aid: The school accepts FAFSA and private aid, while also offering institutional aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

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

• Location: We looked specifically at schools based in North Carolina.
• Accreditation: All schools listed are regionally accredited to ensure they provide high-quality online education.
• Type: We selected only public and private nonprofit schools for this list
• Affordability: Once we narrowed down which schools in North Carolina meet these criteria and offer online master's degrees, we determined the least expensive options

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in North Carolina

Read on to find answers to frequently asked questions about cheap online master's programs in North Carolina.

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

All the schools listed above offer online master's degrees for less than $300 per credit hour. However, the cost of your tuition can vary based on the school you choose and your program of study.

In North Carolina, public schools are generally far more affordable than private ones. All the schools above are public schools, but some that didn't make the list include:

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro: starting at $298.61 per credit for residents
• Appalachian State University: starting at $327 per credit for residents
• North Carolina State University: starting at $546.50 per credit for residents
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: starting at $598 per credit for residents

The least expensive private school for master's degrees in North Carolina is Pfeiffer University, which charges $400 per credit hour. However, other private schools, like Duke University and Wake Forest University, charge over $1,000 per credit hour.

Online teaching and education programs tend to be the least expensive per credit hour. On the other hand, MBAs are some of the most expensive as they're some of the highest-paying master's degrees.

Other things that can affect your tuition rate in North Carolina include 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 North Carolina?

Financial aid is available to students earning their master's degrees through online learning. All students should fill out the FAFSA, as this determines eligibility for federal and state aid.

Some federal and state programs, however, don't cover graduate programs. To help, many colleges and universities offer scholarship and assistantship opportunities. You can also pursue private scholarship programs to help you pay for your higher education.

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

In some cases, online master's degrees are cheaper than in-person programs. At most North Carolina public schools, the cost is about the same.

If you're using cost to determine whether you should study online, it's wise to check both the online and on-campus tuition rates. Don't forget to factor in things like campus fees and the cost to commute to campus.

How Long Does an Online Master's Program Take?

Most online master's degrees take between one and three years of full-time study, with two years being average. However, some schools offer accelerated pathways that allow you to finish faster.

For example, at some colleges, students can start taking graduate-level courses in the final year of their bachelor's degree. This reduces the number of credits you still need when you enter your graduate program.

Graduate certificate programs usually take about a year, but they can range from nine months to up to two years.

Find an Online Master's Degree

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