Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Illinois 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.

There's no doubt that tuition can be expensive, especially for graduate degrees. However, some students need to pursue education beyond a bachelor's degree, whether to enter a specific career or increase their chances in the job market.

Earning a degree online can often be less expensive than earning one on campus. Not only are rates sometimes lower, especially for out-of-state students, but you don't have to worry about commuting and can choose somewhere with lower living expenses.

In a perfect world, schools would offer tuition-free online master's degree programs. While there really aren't any free master's degrees online, there are ways to significantly reduce your costs. Keep reading to learn how to find low-cost master's degrees online in Illinois and how to bring your costs down even further.

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

There are no tuition-free online colleges in Illinois. In fact, there are no schools that offer completely free master's degrees online in the U.S.

The closest option is the University of the People, a private nonprofit online school based in Pasadena, CA. UoPeople does not charge a per-credit tuition rate, but it does charge a one-time application fee and a per-course assessment fee. While still very low-cost, that means the degrees are not completely free.

However, Illinois offers several affordable online master's degrees. Those, paired with the right financial aid, could allow you to earn your degree for free or for a very small amount of money. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what they're eligible for; there are several accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA in Illinois.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

Although there aren't really free graduate degrees, there are steps you can take to reduce or even completely eliminate your costs. These include:

• Choose a low-cost school: Tuition rates can vary greatly between institutions, and choosing a low-cost school gives you a good starting point for making your degree affordable.
• Consider your program: Some schools charge higher rates for certain programs, while others charge the same rate for all graduate degrees. Look at tuition rates for the specific program you want to pursue.
• Fill out the FAFSA: The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal aid and some state aid. Additionally, most schools require you to have submitted the FAFSA before they will offer you institutional aid.
• Apply for financial aid: Look for financial aid opportunities through your state, your school, and private organizations to help you cover the cost of your online courses. You may even be able to find full-tuition scholarships.
• Use employer student aid: If you're a working professional, check to see if your employer offers tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Although no school in Illinois offers free tuition, choosing one of the most affordable online master's degrees in the state can help keep costs low. We've highlighted some low-cost programs from accredited universities in Illinois below.

1. Olivet Nazarene University

Olivet Nazarene University is a private Christian school in Bourbonnais, IL. It offers online master's degrees in four fields: business administration, education, nursing, and theology and Christian ministry.

Tuition varies between programs. Most master's degrees are $12,000 total, or roughly $333 per credit hour, but the theology and ministry degrees are typically $450 per credit hour, and the MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner track is $725 per credit hour. Olivet offers a variety of financial aid opportunities to help graduate students pay for their courses, including discounts for pastors.

• Average in-state tuition: $391.50 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $391.50 per credit
• Financial aid: Olivet Nazarene accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Eastern Illinois University

At Eastern Illinois University, students can choose from over a dozen online master's degrees. Areas of study include biological sciences, cybersecurity, healthcare, and humanities.

EIU, a public university, is located in Charleston, IL. It charges $434.56 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students in online graduate programs, and financial aid is available.

• Average in-state tuition: $434.56 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $434.56 per credit
• Financial aid: EIU offers institutional aid, including scholarships and assistantships. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers dozens of online master's degree programs. UIUC is a public research institution located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign, IL.

Tuition varies by program. Some of the most affordable programs at UIUC include:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA): $363 per credit
• Master of Science (MS) in management: $363 per credit
• Master of Education (MEd): $520 per credit
• Master of Social Work (MSW): $598 per credit

Other fields available online at UIUC include animal sciences ($798 per credit), engineering ($1,195 per credit), computer science ($620 per credit for Illinois residents, $793 for non-residents), and library and information science ($694 per credit for Illinois residents, $960 for non-residents).

• Average in-state tuition: $653.50 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $708.38 per credit
• Financial aid: UIUC offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Illinois Springfield

Multiple online degrees are available at the University of Illinois Springfield. Areas of study include business analytics, environmental sciences, human services, and public health.

UIS, located in Springfield, IL, is a public university. Most of its online graduate degrees are $384.25 per credit. However, a few degrees have a slightly higher tuition rate, like the MBA program ($445 per credit), the master's in computer science ($426.75 per credit), and the master's in healthcare informatics ($445 per credit). Online students also pay a $45 per-credit online academic support fee.

• Average in-state tuition: $384.25 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $384.25 per credit
• Financial aid: UIS accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Illinois State University

Illinois State University is a public research institution in Normal, IL. It offers several advanced degrees online in fields like business, data science, education, and nursing.

Tuition for in-state residents at Illinois State is $443.70 per credit, and this is the rate that qualifying residents of bordering states pay as well. The cost is $921.61 per credit for residents of other states.

• Average in-state tuition: $422.57 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $877.72 per credit
• Financial aid: Illinois State accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

6. McKendree University

Through McKendree University, students will find half a dozen online master's degrees. Tuition varies by program, with some of the lowest-cost options being:

• Master of Arts (MA) in education:  $445 per credit
• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): $445 per credit
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): $495 per credit
• Master of Health Administration (MHA): $525 per credit

McKendree University, a private nonprofit college, is located in Lebanon, IL. Other degree options here include an online MBA ($555 per credit) and an MA in performance psychology and leadership ($525 per credit).

• Average in-state tuition: $498.33 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $498.33 per credit
• Financial aid: McKendree University accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. Institutional scholarships and grants generally aren't available to online students, but the school offers tuition discounts, including a reduced rate of $250 per credit for military students using tuition assistance.
• Accreditation: HLC

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

There are no tuition-free online master's programs based in Illinois, but Illinois residents can enroll in programs offered by schools in other states. Only a handful of U.S. institutions use a true tuition-free model for graduate degrees. Even these schools charge some fees, but the total cost can be a fraction of what you'd pay at a traditional university.

University of the People

The University of the People (UoPeople) is a private nonprofit online university based in Pasadena, CA. It offers three online master's degrees:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Education (MEd) in Advanced Teaching
• Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT)

UoPeople doesn't charge tuition, and textbooks and course materials are provided at no cost. Instead, students pay a one-time $60 application fee and an assessment fee for each course. For students who enrolled on or after June 7, 2026, assessment fees are $490 per course for the MBA and MSIT and $440 per course for the MEd. That brings the estimated total cost to $5,940 for the MBA or MSIT and $5,780 for the MEd. Students who repeat a course pay an additional assessment fee. Scholarships are available for students who can't afford the fees.

Courses run in nine-week terms and are completed entirely online, which makes it easier for working professionals to balance school with their jobs. UoPeople is regionally accredited by the 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.

Since no school offers a completely free online master's degree, this list focuses on Illinois schools that bring graduate costs as close to free as possible. We prioritize low per-credit tuition for online graduate students, rates that stay affordable for out-of-state learners, and financial aid that can further reduce what students pay. Because tuition often varies by program, we compare rates across each school's online master's offerings rather than relying on a single published figure. We consider the following factors:

• Accreditation: Every school on our list holds institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation affects eligibility for federal financial aid, credit transfer, and how employers view your degree.
• Affordability and financial aid: We look at per-credit tuition for online graduate programs, required fees, and whether online students pay in-state rates regardless of where they live. We also consider whether schools accept FAFSA and offer scholarships, assistantships, or tuition discounts to online graduate students.
• Online availability: We include schools that offer master's degrees that can be completed fully online, with priority given to schools offering programs in a range of fields.
• Student outcomes: We review graduation rates, retention rates, and post-graduation earnings data to make sure low cost doesn't come at the expense of quality.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

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

Paying for graduate school can raise a lot of questions, especially as federal aid rules change. Below are answers to some common questions about earning an affordable online master's degree in Illinois.

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

Major changes to federal graduate loans took effect on July 1, 2026. The Grad PLUS loan program, which previously allowed graduate students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance, has been eliminated for new borrowers. Graduate students in most master's programs can now borrow up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with a $100,000 lifetime limit for graduate study. Students who already had 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. With less federal borrowing available, choosing a low-cost program and applying for scholarships matters more than ever.

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

It depends on the school. Many Illinois universities charge online graduate students the same rate regardless of where they live, including Eastern Illinois University, the University of Illinois Springfield, Olivet Nazarene University, and McKendree University. Others, like Illinois State University, charge higher rates for out-of-state students but extend in-state tuition to qualifying residents of bordering states. At UIUC, most online programs charge a flat rate, but a few, such as computer science and information science, charge non-residents more.

Can My Employer Help Pay for My Online Master's Degree?

Many employers offer tuition assistance or reimbursement programs for employees pursuing graduate degrees, especially in fields related to their current role. Under federal tax rules, employers can generally provide up to $5,250 per year in educational assistance tax-free. Some employers require you to stay with the company for a set period after completing your degree, so review the terms before you enroll.

Is an Online Master's Degree From an Illinois School as Respected as an On-Campus Degree?

Generally, yes. Online master's programs at accredited universities typically follow the same curriculum and are often taught by the same faculty as on-campus programs. At many schools, including those on our list, your diploma and transcript don't indicate whether you earned your degree online. The most important factor is accreditation, so confirm that any program you're considering is offered by an institutionally accredited school.

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

Find the perfect online degree by exploring the high-quality options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.