Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Delaware 2027

Although completely free online master's degrees are rare, 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.

Schools in Delaware don't offer tuition-free online master's degrees; however, budget-friendly programs are available. Keep reading to explore FAQs about earning a free master's degree online and discover where to find low-cost programs in the state.

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

All schools in Delaware charge tuition and fees, though some provide scholarships and financial aid to lower or eliminate costs. If you're looking for truly free online colleges, one to consider is the University of the People (UoPeople). This school offers tuition-free online master's degree programs and only charges application and assessment fees. For students who can't afford these fees, UoPeople offers scholarships.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

Applying to a school with low tuition is one of the best ways to make your online master's degree affordable. But keep in mind that rates can vary based on factors like residency, enrollment status (full-time vs. part-time), program of choice (e.g., artificial intelligence vs. nonprofit management), and whether your program is completely online or has on-campus requirements. If your degree falls outside of your budget, consider these tips for reducing costs:

• Pursue federal aid: Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) qualifies students for federal financial assistance. To maximize savings, consider applying to cheap online schools that accept FAFSA.
• Apply for state and school aid: Students often apply for federal financial aid and overlook state and school aid, including scholarships and grants, that can lower the cost of a master's degree.
• Use military benefits: The GI Bill, scholarships, grants, and military tuition assistance (TA) are funding options for service members and veterans. Spouses and dependents could also qualify for some benefits and aid.
• Consider assistantships and fellowships: These funding options, usually specific to graduate students, could lead to full tuition coverage and a stipend. Since the awards are often granted to campus-based students, checking with the school for eligibility is important.
• Earn prior learning credits: Whether you transfer credits from a previous school or receive credit for work experience and certificates, taking advantage of prior learning credits can save hundreds or thousands in tuition.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Students looking to earn an affordable master's degree online in Delaware can find several low-cost options. Explore the schools below to discover the state's most affordable programs.

1. Delaware State University

Delaware State University is home to more than a dozen online master's degree options in business, healthcare, leadership, social sciences, and more. Low-cost degrees include:

• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)

In addition to affordable tuition, students might be eligible for fellowships, assistantships, waivers, and other aid to lower costs.

• Average in-state tuition: As low as $455 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: As low as $455 per credit
• Financial aid: Research fellowships, assistantships, part-time employment, and tuition fee waivers can boost savings.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

2. Wilmington University

Students seeking affordable advanced degrees with fully online courses can find some of the state's cheapest online master's degrees at Wilmington University. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) in business analytics, MS in computer science, MSN with a focus in nursing leadership, and MS in cybersecurity are a few programs to consider.

The school offers graduate-level students budget-friendly tuition, a reduced rate for active-duty service members, and scholarships of up to $5,000.

• Average in-state tuition: $564 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $564 per credit
• Financial aid: Scholarships and federal student aid (work-study jobs and student loans) lower costs for graduate students.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

3. University of Delaware

At the University of Delaware, students can find multiple online master's degrees in varied disciplines. An MPA, MSN, MS in applied statistics, MEd in teacher leadership, and Master of Arts (MA) in strategic communication are a few available options.

To help learners save, the school offers assistantships with minimum stipends of $27,000 for the nine-month academic year, though these are typically reserved for full-time students. Other funding includes the Delaware Educator Scholarship and the University Graduate Scholars Award.

• Average in-state tuition: Starting at $908 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: Starting at $908 per credit
• Financial aid: Graduate students can reduce costs with assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, and other funding.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

Other Low-Cost Online Colleges in the U.S.

Very few colleges in the U.S. offer truly tuition-free master's degrees, but some online schools come close by charging only small fees or offering steep discounts. If you're open to enrolling outside Delaware, the schools below are worth comparing with in-state options.

University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit online university that doesn't charge tuition for its master's programs. Instead, students pay a one-time 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 (MSIT), and a Master of Education (MEd) in advanced teaching.

Because each program has a set number of courses, students can estimate their total cost before they start. The MBA and MSIT cost about $5,460 in total, and the MEd costs about $5,260.

• Average tuition: Tuition-free (assessment fees of $400–$450 per course apply)
• Financial aid: Scholarships are available for students who can't afford application or assessment fees.
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

University of Maryland Global Campus

Over 55 graduate programs are available at the University of Maryland Global Campus, including online master's programs, doctoral degrees, and certificates. Master's degrees prepare students for careers in accounting, digital forensics, cloud computing, marketing, and many others.

Tuition at UMGC is affordable, and financial aid is available to increase savings. Delaware residents pay the out-of-state rate, while military students qualify for a reduced rate.

• Average in-state tuition: Starting at $555 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: Starting at $659 per credit
• Financial aid: Federal student aid, military benefits, scholarships, and other funding options help enrollees save.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

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.

No school in Delaware offers a tuition-free master's degree, so we focused on accredited schools with low graduate tuition or strong funding opportunities, such as scholarships, assistantships, tuition discounts, and reduced military rates. We considered the following factors when building this list:

• Accreditation: Every school holds institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation affects federal financial aid eligibility, credit transfer, and how employers view your degree.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compared each school's published graduate tuition for the current academic year. We also looked for aid that can lower costs further, such as scholarships, tuition discounts, and assistantships.
• Online availability: We prioritized schools offering multiple master's degrees that students can complete fully online or with minimal on-campus requirements.
• Student outcomes: Where data was available, we reviewed graduation rates, retention rates, and post-graduation earnings to gauge the value of each school's programs.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

FAQs About Tuition-Free Online Master's Degrees in Delaware

Paying for a master's degree raises a lot of questions, especially as federal aid rules change. Below are answers to some common questions from Delaware students.

How Will the 2026 Federal Student Loan Changes Affect Graduate Students?

Starting July 1, 2026, new borrowers can no longer take out Graduate PLUS Loans, which previously let graduate students borrow up to the full cost of attendance. Graduate students can still borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, but there's now a $100,000 lifetime cap on graduate borrowing. Students who received a federal loan for their current program before July 1, 2026, may be able to keep borrowing under the old rules for a limited time.

Federal loans may no longer cover a program's full cost, so choosing a school with low tuition and applying for scholarships and assistantships is more important than ever.

Can I Use FAFSA at a Tuition-Free Online College?

It depends on the school. University of the People doesn't participate in federal student aid programs, so you can't use federal grants or loans there. Because UoPeople's total fees are low, many students pay out of pocket, use employer tuition assistance, or apply for UoPeople's own scholarships. All of the Delaware schools on our list accept federal financial aid, so filing the FAFSA is still worthwhile if you plan to enroll at one of them.

Do Online Students Pay Out-of-State Tuition at Delaware Schools?

Usually not. Wilmington University charges the same tuition regardless of where students live, and the University of Delaware uses a single graduate tuition rate for residents and nonresidents. Delaware State University sets its online graduate tuition by program rather than by residency. Out-of-state schools are a different story: Delaware residents pay UMGC's out-of-state rate.

Are There Tuition Discounts for Military Members or Older Students in Delaware?

Yes. Wilmington University charges active-duty service members $300 per graduate credit instead of its standard $564 rate. Delaware State University offers a Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver for Delaware residents aged 60 or older, which covers tuition for eligible courses. However, enrollment depends on available space, and some selective graduate programs may be excluded. If you're military-affiliated and looking outside Delaware, UMGC offers a graduate military rate of $336 per credit.

Discover Affordable Online Master's Degrees

Take the next step toward an exciting journey in higher education by exploring the degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools today to discover ways they can help you reach your goals.