Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Arkansas 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.

If you live in Arkansas and you'd like to find out more about tuition-free online master's degrees, you're in the right place. Below, we'll talk about how to get a free master's degree online and explore some tuition-free online master's degree program options in your state.

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

There are no tuition-free online colleges in Arkansas. University of the People (UoPeople) is one of the best-known tuition-free online colleges in the U.S., but even it charges application and assessment fees for its degree programs.

Regardless of where you choose to study, you can greatly reduce your educational costs with financial aid. There are many different types of financial aid that you can combine to keep your costs low; that said, there is no such thing as an entirely free master's degree, whether online or on campus.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

As noted above, combining different forms of financial aid can help you save money on your online courses and degree programs. Let's look at some top options to consider when pursuing a graduate degree online.

• Federal and state aid: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help you qualify for state and federal aid like grants, loans, and work-study programs. Studying at accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA can help you graduate more affordably.
• Private grants and scholarships: Sometimes businesses, nonprofits, and other private organizations offer grants and scholarships. These financial awards don't have to be paid back and may be either need-based or merit-based.
• School-specific aid: Many schools offer scholarships to their students. Check with your school to find out what types of scholarships are available and to see which ones you qualify for.
• Employer or veteran benefits: If you have a job or a military background, you may receive financial benefits that you can use toward your education.
• Affordable tuition: Finally, choosing a college with lower tuition rates and fees can help your financial aid go further, in turn helping you save money on your education.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

If you're ready to learn more about pursuing an advanced degree affordably, check out these colleges and universities in Arkansas that provide low costs and generous financial aid opportunities.

1. Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University offers some of the cheapest online master's degrees in the state. Students can pursue areas of study such as:

• business administration (MBA)
• educational leadership
• health informatics

In addition to low tuition costs, this public school offers many types of financial aid opportunities. Students can apply for scholarships, grants, and graduate assistantships, among various other options.

• Average in-state tuition: $323.94 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $323.94 per credit hour
• Financial aid: State and federal aid, scholarships, grants, assistantships, work-study
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Southern Arkansas University

Southern Arkansas University (SAU) is a public school based in Magnolia. Nearly all of its graduate programs can be completed fully online, with options including:

• business administration (MBA)
• public administration
• special education

Students can qualify for federal and state aid by completing the FAFSA, and SAU also offers scholarships to help offset costs. Keep in mind that master's students pay a per-credit program fee in addition to tuition.

• In-state tuition: $338 per credit hour
• Out-of-state tuition: $530 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Federal and state aid, scholarships
• Accreditation: HLC

3. University of Central Arkansas

The University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway. This public school offers a range of affordable online master's degrees, including:

• sport management
• nutrition
• special education

Students can earn financial aid to attend this school by completing the FAFSA. A variety of scholarship opportunities and grants are also available.

• Online program tuition: $378 per credit hour (approved fully online graduate programs)
• Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, state and federal aid
• Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Arkansas Little Rock

The University of Arkansas Little Rock is another affordable institution belonging to the University of Arkansas System. Students can pursue several online master's programs. Specific areas of study include:

• social work
• mass communication
• learning systems technology

The school offers many different types of financial aid, ranging from scholarships and grants to work-study programs, student loans, and military benefits.

• Online tuition: $396 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students (includes tuition and most fees)
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, federal and state aid, work-study, military benefits
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University is a public school offering many flexible options for online graduate students. Available degrees include the Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Education, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Science. Specific options include:

• public administration
• agricultural business
• engineering management

Students can apply for various financial aid opportunities through the FAFSA as well as the school itself. Scholarships, grants, and many types of federal and state aid can help students save money on already affordable master's programs.

• Online tuition: $10,500 to $17,292 total, depending on program; the same rate applies to in-state and out-of-state students
• Financial aid: Federal and state aid, scholarships, grants
• Accreditation: HLC

Other Tuition-Free Online Colleges in the U.S.

A handful of colleges across the country operate on a tuition-free model, but most are small, on-campus schools focused on undergraduate education. For graduate students who want to study online, the options are far more limited. The most prominent is University of the People, which offers several master's programs at a fraction of the cost of a traditional degree.

University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit online university that doesn't charge tuition. Instead, students pay a one-time $60 application fee and an assessment fee for each course they complete. Graduate options include a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Science in Information Technology, and a Master of Education (M.Ed.). The assessment fee is $490 per course for the MBA and MS in Information Technology, and $430 per course for the M.Ed.

Altogether, UoPeople's MBA costs about $5,940. Students can lower their costs further by transferring in up to 18 credits from another accredited institution. Applicants need a bachelor's degree from an accredited school.

UoPeople is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), one of the regional accreditors that also oversees many major universities. The school also offers scholarships to help students cover assessment fees.

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.

Since no college offers a completely free master's degree, we focused on Arkansas schools that keep graduate tuition low and give students multiple ways to reduce costs further. Each school on our list had to offer at least one fully online master's program. We evaluated schools using the following criteria:

• Accreditation: Every school on our list is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Regional accreditation helps ensure that credits and degrees are widely recognized by employers, licensing boards, and other universities.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compared current per-credit graduate tuition rates for online students, including whether schools charge the same rate regardless of residency. We also looked at the types of aid available, such as scholarships, grants, assistantships, and federal aid eligibility.
• Online availability: We prioritized schools offering master's programs that can be completed fully online, with a range of subjects for working professionals.
• Student outcomes: We considered graduation rates, retention rates, and post-graduation earnings data to make sure affordable programs also deliver long-term value.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

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

Paying for graduate school looks a little different than it did just a few years ago, especially with recent changes to federal student loans. Below, we answer some common questions about earning an affordable online master's degree in Arkansas.

Can I Still Use Federal Student Loans for an Online Master's Degree?

Yes, but the rules changed on July 1, 2026. The federal Grad PLUS Loan program is no longer available to new borrowers, which means most new graduate students can only borrow through Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. These loans are capped at $20,500 per year and $100,000 in total for graduate study. Students who already had Grad PLUS loans before the change may be able to keep borrowing for a limited time if they stay in the same program. Because of these new limits, choosing a low-cost program matters more than ever.

Do Online Students Pay Out-of-State Tuition in Arkansas?

It depends on the school. Several Arkansas universities charge online graduate students the same rate no matter where they live. For example, UA Little Rock charges a flat per-credit rate for its online graduate programs, and Arkansas State University charges in-state and out-of-state students the same tuition for its online programs. Other schools, like Southern Arkansas University, still charge more for out-of-state students, so check each school's tuition page before you apply.

Can I Get a Grant for a Master's Degree?

Federal Pell Grants generally aren't available to graduate students, so most grant funding for a master's degree comes from other sources. These include scholarships and grants from your school, professional organizations, and private foundations. Some fields also have special funding options. Future teachers, for example, may qualify for the federal TEACH Grant if they agree to teach in a high-need field.

Will My Employer Help Pay for My Master's Degree?

Many employers offer tuition assistance, especially for degrees that relate to your current job. Under federal law, employers can provide up to $5,250 per year in educational assistance that you don't have to count as taxable income. Some employers require you to stay with the company for a set period after finishing your degree, so review your employer's policy before you enroll.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master's Degree?

Most online master's programs take one to two years to complete, depending on the program's length and how many courses you take each term. Some accelerated programs can be finished even faster. For instance, Arkansas State University says students can complete coursework for some of its online MBA and master's programs in as few as 10 to 12 months. Finishing sooner can also lower your total cost.

Explore Affordable Online Master's Degrees

If you're ready to pursue full-time or part-time enrollment in an affordable or free master's degree online, explore the schools on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the colleges to find out more about their graduate-level options and to choose the best program for you.