Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Idaho 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 Idaho and want to learn more about what it takes to get a free master's degree online, you're in the right place. Keep reading as we discuss affordable schools and financial aid options that can help you pursue low-cost and potentially tuition-free online master's degree programs.

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

There are no schools in Idaho offering truly free graduate degrees. The best-known tuition-free online college in the U.S. is University of the People (UoPeople), which does not charge tuition but does require an application fee and per-course assessment fees that students have to pay.

Though Idaho's colleges and universities don't offer free degrees, there are ways to reduce your college costs, if not eliminate them entirely. Various types of financial aid can help you slash your out-of-pocket expenses, and attending a school with low tuition rates, fees, and/or book costs can help you save even further.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

Graduate students can save big on their advanced degrees with financial aid like full-tuition scholarships. Let's look at some top tips for learners aiming to reduce their financial burden.

• Apply for scholarships: Many schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations offer scholarships to help students pay for school. These need- and merit-based awards typically have different requirements, so check eligibility standards before applying.
• Complete the FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help students earn grants, loans, and work-study opportunities through state and federal governments. Be sure to attend an accredited online college that accepts FAFSA to take advantage of the funds you earn.
• Consider assistantships and fellowships: As a graduate student, you may be able to apply for assistantships and fellowships through your school. These programs are competitive but often greatly reduce or eliminate your degree costs while helping you gain hands-on experience in your chosen field.
• Use military benefits: Students with experience in the military often have access to educational benefits through their GI Bills. They may also be eligible for tuition discounts and waivers at certain schools.
• Explore employer tuition assistance: Students with military experience often have access to educational benefits through the GI Bill. They may also be eligible for tuition discounts and waivers at certain schools.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Whether you're looking to pursue full-time or part-time enrollment, there are many schools offering affordable online courses and programs to help students study on a budget. Let's look at the top affordable online schools for master's degree students.

1. Boise State University

Boise State University is a large public school that offers some of the cheapest online master's degrees in Idaho. Some of its many online master's programs include:

• business administration
• special education
• accountancy

In addition to keeping tuition low, the school strives to help students afford their education. Students can apply for many different types of financial aid, which can significantly reduce their out-of-pocket college expenses.

• Average in-state tuition: $7,874
• Average out-of-state tuition: $26,614
• Financial aid: Federal and state aid, scholarships, grants, military benefits, work-study
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

2. University of Idaho

The University of Idaho is a public university located in Moscow, ID. Students can pursue many online graduate programs at this school, including Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), and Master of Science (MS) degrees in fields like:

• computer science
• cybersecurity
• criminology

Students can save on their degrees with scholarships, loans, grants, work-study programs, and more. Affordable tuition rates for in-state students also help learners study on a budget, and some online programs, such as the MS in criminology, charge full-time online students in-state tuition regardless of where they live.

• Average in-state tuition: $8,272
• Average out-of-state tuition: $27,508
• Financial aid: Scholarships, federal and state aid, work-study
• Accreditation: NWCCU

3. Idaho State University

Idaho State University is a public school located in Pocatello, ID. It offers both online and on-campus graduate degrees, with online options including:

• healthcare administration
• public health
• anthropology

Students at this school can apply for scholarships through the university or through outside sources. Other financial options here include grants, work-study opportunities, and student loans. Some online programs, including the anthropology master's degrees, also offer a tuition waiver that lets online students pay in-state rates.

• Average in-state tuition: $9,016
• Average out-of-state tuition: $28,126
• Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, work-study, student loans
• Accreditation: NWCCU

4. Lewis-Clark State College

Lewis-Clark State College is a public school located in Lewiston, ID. It offers two fully online master's degrees: a Master of Science in Nursing focused on nursing leadership and a Master of Science in CyberAccounting. Nurses can also pursue an online graduate certificate in nursing management and leadership.

Lewis-Clark is known for offering the lowest undergraduate tuition among Idaho's public four-year schools, and its out-of-state graduate tuition is the lowest of the public schools on this list. To help make school even more budget-friendly, students can apply for scholarships and make use of a wide array of financial aid opportunities.

• Average in-state tuition: $10,230
• Average out-of-state tuition: $25,296
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, state and federal aid
• Accreditation: NWCCU

5. Northwest Nazarene University

Northwest Nazarene University is a private school in Nampa. A variety of online master's degrees are available at this school, including:

• elementary education
• youth, children, and family ministry
• nursing leadership and education

Though the university's tuition is higher than the in-state rates at the public colleges on this list, it charges all students the same rate regardless of residency. That makes it a far more affordable option than the public schools for out-of-state learners. The school is also known for its generous financial aid, and graduate students can access federal aid by completing the FAFSA.

• Average in-state tuition: $11,334
• Average out-of-state tuition: $11,334
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, state and federal aid
• Accreditation: NWCCU

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

Truly tuition-free graduate programs are rare, and most schools that advertise free tuition limit it to undergraduates or to students who meet specific eligibility requirements. For Idaho residents looking beyond in-state options, the most widely known tuition-free option for an online master's degree is a fully online university that replaces traditional tuition with small per-course fees.

University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit, fully online university that does not charge tuition. Instead, students pay a one-time $60 application fee and an assessment fee for each course they complete. UoPeople offers three online master's degrees:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA): $490 per course, about $5,940 total
• Master of Education (MEd) in Advanced Teaching: $440 per course, about $5,780 total
• Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT): $490 per course, about $5,940 total

UoPeople does not charge for textbooks or course materials, and students who can't afford the assessment fees can apply for scholarships. The school is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Note that fees are reviewed each year, and repeating a course requires paying its assessment fee again.

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 master's degree, we focus on graduate programs that keep costs low through affordable tuition, flexible residency policies, or strong financial aid. Each school on our list had to offer at least one master's degree that can be completed fully or mostly online. We then evaluated schools using the following criteria:

• Accreditation: Every school on our list holds institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation ensures your degree meets quality standards and allows you to qualify for federal financial aid.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compare average graduate tuition for in-state and out-of-state students using the most recent NCES data. We also consider scholarships, assistantships, tuition waivers, and policies that let online students pay in-state rates.
• Online availability: We look at the number and variety of master's programs offered online and whether they can be completed without regular campus visits, a key factor for working professionals.
• Student outcomes: We review College Scorecard data on graduation rates, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to help gauge whether a school offers good value for its cost.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Idaho

Paying for graduate school raises a lot of questions, especially as federal aid rules change. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about earning an affordable online master's degree in Idaho.

Do Online Graduate Students Pay Out-of-State Tuition in Idaho?

It depends on the school and program. Some Idaho universities offer reduced rates to online learners regardless of where they live. For example, the University of Idaho charges full-time online students in its criminology master's program in-state tuition, and Idaho State University offers an in-state tuition waiver for its online anthropology master's degrees. Private schools like Northwest Nazarene University charge the same tuition to all students, regardless of residency.

Can Graduate Students Get Federal Grants?

Federal Pell Grants are generally limited to undergraduates, so most federal aid for graduate students comes in the form of loans. However, graduate students may still qualify for federal work-study, and those preparing to teach in high-need fields may be eligible for the TEACH Grant. Completing the FAFSA is also often required for school-based scholarships and assistantships, so it's worth filing even if you don't plan to borrow.

How Did Federal Student Loans for Graduate Students Change in 2026?

As of July 1, 2026, the federal Grad PLUS Loan program is no longer available to new borrowers. Most new graduate students can now borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with a lifetime limit of $100,000 for graduate study. Students who already had Grad PLUS Loans before the change may be able to keep borrowing under the old rules for a limited time. These new limits make low-tuition programs, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance more important than ever.

Is University of the People Accredited?

Yes. University of the People is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The school was also previously accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) but ended that relationship at the end of 2025 and is now accredited solely by WSCUC.

Explore Affordable Online Master's Degrees

If you have a bachelor's degree and are ready to start pursuing a cheap or free master's degree online, explore the schools featured on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools to find out more about their programs for working professionals and to choose the best one for you.