Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Alabama 2027

Although fully free online master's degrees are not available, students seeking an affordable degree path can significantly reduce costs through various financial aid options. Federal and state aid, scholarships from higher education institutions, and other funding sources can cover a portion of tuition costs for eligible students. However, it is important to note that additional costs beyond tuition may apply.

Many students wish to go beyond a bachelor's degree to earn a master's. However, it can be hard for busy students, especially working professionals, to find the time or funds to continue their education.

Learning online can be incredibly helpful, as it's typically more flexible than learning on campus. And while online programs are often less expensive, they're still an expense for most students.

Although there are no free master's degrees online, combining a low-cost school with financial aid can significantly lower your costs. Keep reading to learn more about how to earn an affordable or even free master's degree online in Alabama.

Can I Get a Master's Degree Online for Free in Alabama?

While there aren't any totally free online colleges in Alabama, there are many schools with low tuition rates. In fact, the only school really offering tuition-free online master's degree programs is University of the People.

UoPeople is an accredited, nonprofit online university that does not charge tuition. It does, however, charge an assessment fee for each online course. For graduate-level courses, this fee ranges from about $430 to $490 per course, depending on the program. This is a lot more affordable than many colleges, but it's still not totally free.

As mentioned, Alabama has several schools with low tuition rates. You can reduce your costs even further by applying for financial aid. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what they qualify for. Alabama has several accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

Although you won't find a totally free master's degree online, you can reduce your costs through several strategies, including:

• Choose an affordable school: Tuition can vary wildly between schools. Most affordable online programs in Alabama come from public schools, but not all.
• Compare program costs: Tuition can also vary by program. Consider which school offers your area of study at the lowest rate.
• Apply for financial aid: In addition to filling out the FAFSA, look for institutional and private aid options. Your school's financial aid office can help you find programs you qualify for, which could potentially include full-tuition scholarships.
• Take advantage of employer-sponsored programs: Many employers offer tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement programs to employees.
• Consider the military: Consider the military: One major benefit of military service is the tuition coverage. Coverage will vary depending on how long you've served and what branch you're in.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs in Alabama

Choosing one of the most affordable online master's degrees in Alabama is a great start for keeping your costs low. Below, we've highlighted some of the most affordable online master's degrees in Alabama.

1. Athens State University

Athens State University is a public institution in Athens, AL. It offers graduate degrees online in fields like accountancy, computer science, cybersecurity, and global logistics and supply chain management.

The tuition rate at Athens State is $390 per credit for online graduate programs. This rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. A technology fee also applies per credit hour.

• Average in-state tuition: $390 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $390 per credit
• Financial aid: Athens State accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.‍
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. University of West Alabama

Students at the University of West Alabama can find a variety of online master's degrees in areas of study like business administration, adult continuing education, elementary education, and student affairs in higher education. The online Master of Business Administration (MBA) offers 13 concentrations, including cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and human resource management.

Programs are available in business administration, elementary education, nursing, and public administration. Tuition is $434 per credit for most advanced degrees. The MBA program uses a flat rate of $600 per credit.

• ‍Average in-state tuition: $429 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $429 per credit
• Financial aid: UWA offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.‍
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State University offers a variety of master's degrees through online learning. JSU is a public university in Jacksonville, AL.

Programs are available in business administration, elementary education, nursing, and public administration. Tuition is $443 per credit for most online graduate programs. Some programs use differentiated rates: business administration courses are $525 per credit, while public administration and social work courses are $400 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $456 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $456 per credit
• Financial aid: JSU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. University of Montevallo

A handful of online master's degrees are available at the University of Montevallo. These include an MBA, as well as Master of Education (MEd) degrees in applied instruction, instructional leadership, and professional education.

UM, located in Montevallo, AL, is a public university. It charges online graduate students $438 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $438 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $438 per credit
• Financial aid: UM accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. University of Alabama in Huntsville

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a public research institution in Huntsville, AL. It offers online master's degrees in fields like cybersecurity, elementary education, engineering management, and supply chain management.

Tuition for most online degrees is $458 per credit. However, those from the College of Business are $592 per credit, and those from the College of Engineering and the College of Science are $675 per credit. Additional college and program fees may apply.

• Average in-state tuition: $575 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $575 per credit
• Financial aid: UAH accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Troy University

Students at Troy University can choose from various online master's degrees. Areas of study include computer science (with an artificial intelligence concentration), education, human resource management, and social science.

The public institution is located in Troy, AL. It charges $475 per credit hour for all online graduate degrees. Starting in fall 2026, most courses also carry a separate program fee, beginning at $24 per credit hour.

• Average in-state tuition: $475 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $475 per credit
• Financial aid: Troy University offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Alabama State University

Alabama State University offers several master's degrees through online learning. ASU is a public, historically Black college or university (HBCU) in Montgomery, AL.

Online master's degrees are available in business administration, elementary education, social work, and technology. Tuition for these degrees is $477 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $477 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $477 per credit
• Financial aid: ASU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. University of Alabama

Dozens of master's degrees are available through online learning at the University of Alabama. Areas of study include communication, education, healthcare, and management.

UA, located in Tuscaloosa, AL, is a public research university. It charges $480 per credit for online graduate degrees.

• Average in-state tuition: $480 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $480 per credit
• Financial aid: UA accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. University of South Alabama

The University of South Alabama is a public research university in Mobile, AL. It offers advanced degrees online in fields like business administration, education, nursing, and public administration.

Tuition is $495 per credit for the education and public administration degrees and $520 per credit for the health, computing, and business programs. The online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is $609 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $541.33 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $541.33 per credit
• Financial aid: USA accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. Auburn University at Montgomery

Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) is a public university in Montgomery, AL, and part of the Auburn University system. It offers a variety of online master's degrees in fields like business administration, education, healthcare administration, and public administration.

Online graduate tuition at AUM is $502 per credit for Alabama residents and $552 per credit for non-residents. All online students also pay a $40-per-credit online course fee and a $30-per-credit technology fee.

• Average in-state tuition: $502 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $552 per credit
• Financial aid: AUM accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

Other Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Students in Alabama aren't limited to in-state schools when searching for an affordable online master's degree. Some online universities based outside the state offer low-cost programs that Alabama residents can complete entirely from home. One of the most affordable options is University of the People.

University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit online university based in Pasadena, CA. It offers three online master's degrees: a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Education (MEd) in Advanced Teaching, and a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT).

UoPeople doesn't charge tuition. Instead, students pay a one-time $60 application fee and an assessment fee for each course they complete. Graduate assessment fees range from about $430 to $490 per course, depending on the program. UoPeople doesn't participate in federal financial aid programs, so students can't use the FAFSA to pay for these fees. However, the university offers scholarships to help eligible students cover assessment fees.

• Tuition: None (assessment fees of about $430 to $490 per course)
• Financial aid: UoPeople offers institutional scholarships. It does not accept FAFSA.
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

Because no school offers a completely free online master's degree, this list focuses on Alabama schools that keep graduate tuition as low as possible. Schools are ordered by their standard per-credit tuition rate for online graduate programs, from lowest to highest, using each school's most recently published rates. When a school charges different rates by program, we list the range and an average of those rates. To make the list, each school also had to meet the following criteria:

• Accreditation: Every school on this list is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Accreditation affects eligibility for federal financial aid and how employers and other schools view your degree.
• Affordability and financial aid: We prioritized schools with online graduate tuition under $800 per credit, and we looked for schools that charge online students the same rate regardless of where they live. We also considered whether each school accepts the FAFSA and offers institutional scholarships or grants that can lower costs further.
• Online availability: Each school offers multiple master's degrees that can be completed fully online, giving working professionals flexibility to earn a degree without relocating or attending classes on campus.
• Student outcomes: We reviewed institutional data such as graduation and retention rates to make sure schools on this list have a track record of supporting students through degree completion.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tuition-Free Master's Degrees in Alabama

Below, we've answered some common questions students have about affordable and free online master's degrees in Alabama

How do recent federal student loan changes affect online master's students?‍

Starting July 1, 2026, the federal Grad PLUS loan program is no longer available to new borrowers. New graduate students can still borrow Direct Unsubsidized Loans, but they're limited to $20,500 per year and $100,000 total for graduate study. That makes it more important than ever to choose a low-cost program and apply for scholarships and grants before relying on loans.

Will I pay out-of-state tuition for an online master's from an Alabama school?‍

It depends on the school. Most schools on this list charge the same online graduate rate whether you live in Alabama or not. A few still charge non-residents more, even for fully online programs. For example, Auburn University at Montgomery charges online graduate students $502 per credit if they live in Alabama and $552 per credit if they don't. Always confirm a school's residency policy for online students before enrolling.

Are there tuition discounts for military students?‍

Yes. Several Alabama schools offer reduced rates for service members. For example, UWA's Military Connect scholarship lowers graduate tuition to $329 per credit for active-duty military members, veterans, spouses, and dependents. Jacksonville State and Troy University both offer rates of $250 per credit for eligible service members, and Jacksonville State extends its rate to veterans as well.

Are there costs beyond tuition?‍

Usually, yes. Many schools charge technology fees, online course fees, or program fees on top of tuition, and these can add a meaningful amount per credit. For example, Auburn University at Montgomery charges online students a $40-per-credit online course fee and a $30-per-credit technology fee. Troy University introduced separate program fees in fall 2026. Check each school's full tuition and fee schedule when comparing costs.

Find Affordable Online Master's Degrees

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