8 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in North Dakota 2025

Online master's degrees are an excellent way for students to further their careers. These degrees usually take about two years of full-time study to earn, and learning online is a more flexible choice for students who can't make it to learn on campus.

While graduate degrees can be expensive, many schools offer cheap master's degree online that won't put you into deep debt. Keep reading to discover the most affordable online master's programs in North Dakota.

8 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in North Dakota

North Dakota is home to several affordable online colleges, many of which offer affordable online master's degrees. Below, we've highlighted the best schools for cheap online master's degrees in North Dakota.

1. Dickinson State University

Dickinson State University is a public institution in Dickinson, ND. It offers online master's degrees in fields like business administration, elementary education, entrepreneurship, and teaching.

The tuition rate for graduate students at DSU is $336.67 per credit hour. This rate is the same whether students live in North Dakota or in another state.

• Average cost per credit hour: $336.67
• Financial aid: DSU accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Valley City State University

At Valley City State University, students can earn a master's degree online in business information systems, teaching, and education. The Master of Education (MEd) offers several concentrations, including elementary education, English education, and library and information technologies.

VCSU, a public university, is located in Valley City, ND. It charges a rate of $366.92 per credit for master's degree programs, with the same tuition for all students regardless of state of residency.

• Average cost per credit hour: $366.92
• Financial aid: VCSU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Minot State University

Minot State University offers multiple master's degrees through online learning. MSU is a public university in Minot, ND.

Online students can earn master's degrees in fields like information systems, management, special education, and sports management. Tuition is $389.65 per credit hour, before any additional fees, for all online learners earning graduate degrees.

• Average cost per credit hour: $389.65
• Financial aid: Minot State offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. North Dakota State University

Around 20 master's degrees are available online at North Dakota State University. Areas of study include education, engineering, management, and public health.

NDSU, located in Fargo, ND, is a public research university. Tuition depends on where you live: residents of North Dakota and states within the Western Regional Graduate Program pay $421.39 per credit, residents of Minnesota pay $535.16 per credit, and residents of all other states pay $632.08 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $421.39
• Financial aid: NDSU accepts aid from FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid programs.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Mayville State University

Mayville State University is a public institution in Mayville, ND. It offers online master's degrees in nursing, teaching, and education.

At Mayville State, tuition varies by program. The teaching and education programs are $422.78 per credit, while the Master of Science in nursing (MSN) is $543.25 per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $462.94
• Financial aid: Mayville State accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

6. University of Jamestown

Students at the University of Jamestown will find a handful of online degree programs at the master's level. Areas of study include clinical counseling, curriculum and instruction, information technology, and leadership.

The University of Jamestown, a private Christian school, is located in Jamestown, ND. Tuition varies by program, starting at $350 for MEd programs and going up to $680 for the degree in clinical counseling.

• Average cost per credit hour: $515
• Financial aid: University of Jamestown offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota offers nearly two dozen master's degrees through online education. UND is a public research university in Grand Forks, ND.

Areas of study at the school include computer science, data science, public health, and social work. The tuition rate varies by program. For example, some of the liberal arts programs start at $498 per credit, while the master's in cybersecurity is $798.08 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $648
• Financial aid: UND offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

8. University of Mary

Students at the University of Mary can choose from multiple online graduate degrees. Areas of study include nursing, organizational leadership, religion, and special education.

The University of Mary, located in Bismarck, ND, is a private Catholic school. Tuition costs range from $595 for the education programs to $640 for the religious studies programs.

• Average cost per credit hour: $620
• Financial aid: University of Mary accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

Other Affordable Online Master's Programs

North Dakota doesn't have too many schools offering online master's degrees. For those who want to expand their options, affordable online master's programs are available at schools across the U.S.

University of the People

The University of the People is a private, nonprofit online school based in Pasadena, CA. It offers online master's degrees in business administration, information technology, and education.

The university is unique because it does not charge tuition. Instead, there is just a fee to apply as well as an assessment fee for each online course. The MEd is $350 per course, or $4,500 total, while the MBA and IT degrees are $400 per course or $4,800 total.

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

Northeastern State University

Through Northeastern State University, students can earn multiple master's degrees through distance education. Areas of study include criminal justice, healthcare, leadership, and public relations.

NSU, a public research university, is based in Tahlequa, OK. In-state tuition for online graduate programs is $290.92 per credit. Out-of-state tuition is just a tiny bit more, at $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: HLC

How We Rank Schools

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

• Accreditation: We only chose public and private nonprofit schools that are regionally accredited.
• Affordability: Once we narrowed down which accredited North Dakota schools offer online master's degrees, we sorted them by cost. After that, we looked for affordable options beyond North Dakota.
• Program reputation: All schools listed are known for offering high-quality higher education programs.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in North Dakota

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about online master's degrees in North Dakota.

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

All of the programs listed above offer online master's degrees for less than $600 per credit hour. However, the price you pay will depend on several factors, including:

• what school you choose
• what your area of study is
• if you're an in-state or out-of-state student
• if you have transfer credits
• what financial aid you qualify for

One of the best ways to lower the cost of graduate school is to look for affordable online colleges that accept FAFSA. In addition to aid through FAFSA, look for aid through your school or other organizations.

What Is the Cheapest University in North Dakota?

The cheapest university in North Dakota is Dickinson State University. It charges a tuition rate of $249 per credit for bachelor's degrees and $336.67 per credit for master's degrees. Additionally, all students pay the in-state tuition rate, no matter where they live.

What Is the Quickest Master's Degree To Obtain?

The quickest master's degree will depend on your undergraduate education and whether you have any transfer credits. Some schools offer accelerated programs; MBAs are often offered in an accelerated format.

Other programs offer fast-track options for students with bachelor's degrees in specific subjects. For example, Master of Social Work (MSW) programs often offer advanced-standing options to those with a bachelor's degree in social work.

Is an Online Master's Degree Worth the Money?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall earning a master's degee guarantees a higher salary than just having a master's. However, whether or not an online master's is worth the money can vary depending on how much you paid for your program and the degree you earn.

MBAs and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs for nurse practitioners are some of the highest-paying master's degrees. While these programs can sometimes be pricy, they often lead to six-figure careers.

On the other hand, Master of Social Work programs are often expensive as well. But Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) don't make nearly as much as those earning an MBA or MSN.

Find Online Graduate Programs

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