Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Iowa 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.

For many students, a bachelor's degree is all they need for their career field. Others decide to pursue master's degrees, whether that's because it's necessary for their goals or to help them stand out in a competitive job market.

Often, busy students, especially working professionals, prefer the convenience of learning online rather than on campus. Online degrees can also have lower tuition rates and may save you money, as you don't need to commute or live near campus.

Although they can be less expensive, most students can't pay for them out of pocket. While tuition-free online master's degrees would be ideal, these are few and far between. However, with the right financial aid, you could lower your costs and avoid student loans. Keep reading to discover affordable master's degrees online in Iowa.

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

There are no tuition-free online colleges in Iowa. In fact, the only school in the U.S. with inherently tuition-free online master's degree programs is the University of the People.

UoPeople, a nonprofit online school in Pasadena, CA, does not charge a tuition rate. It does, however, charge a one-time $60 application fee and an assessment fee of $400 to $450 per course at the graduate level. While this makes the degree highly affordable, it still isn't completely free.

Students in Iowa can lower their tuition rates through financial aid. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what they qualify for. There are several accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA in Iowa.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

Earning an advanced degree doesn't have to put you into debt. Several strategies can make your online degree more affordable, including:

• Choose a low-cost program: Tuition can vary significantly between different schools and different majors, so choose a school that offers your graduate degree at a low tuition rate.
• Fill out the FAFSA: The FAFSA determines what federal aid you qualify for and is often required for need-based state and institutional aid.
• Pursue institutional aid: Colleges and universities often offer scholarships, grants, and assistantship opportunities to help graduate students pay for their degrees.
• Look for private financial aid: Many private organizations offer scholarships to students. Use a scholarship search tool, like the one on the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop site, to find options.
• Take advantage of military benefits: If you're a service member, you may qualify to have some or all of your tuition covered.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

Although Iowa may not have free master's degrees online, one of the best ways to keep your costs low is to start by looking at the most affordable online master's degrees. We've highlighted some low-cost options in Iowa below.

1. Buena Vista University

Buena Vista University is a private Christian university in Storm Lake, IA. It offers several online master's degrees in areas like counseling, educational administration, organizational leadership, and special education.

Online master's degrees at BVU start at $325 per credit hour for the Master of Education (MEd) degrees in teacher leadership, curriculum, and instruction and special education. Most other master's degrees are $495 per credit hour.

• Average in-state tuition: $410 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $410 per credit
• Financial aid: BVU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Clarke University

At Clarke University, students can choose from two online graduate degrees. These include a Master of Arts (MA) in education and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

This private Catholic institution is located in Dubuque, IA. It charges $325 per credit for the MA in education and $590 per credit for the MBA program. Students also pay a $50 per-credit technology and student services fee.

• Average in-state tuition: $457.50 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $457.50 per credit
• Financial aid: Clarke offers institutional aid, like scholarships. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Morningside University

Morningside University offers a dozen master's degrees through online learning. The private Christian school is located in Sioux City, IA.

Online degrees are available in areas like business administration, education, nursing, and teacher leadership. Master's degrees here start at $349 per credit and go up to $685 per credit, depending on the major or area of study.

• Average in-state tuition: $517 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $517 per credit
• Financial aid: Morningside offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Upper Iowa University

Six online master's degrees are available at Upper Iowa University. Areas of study include counseling, healthcare administration, psychology, and public administration.

UIU, located in Fayette, IA, is a private institution. Tuition varies by program, with MEd degrees costing $370 per credit and the rate going up to $665 per credit for the online MBA program.

• Average in-state tuition: $517.50 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $517.50 per credit
• Financial aid: UIU accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Grand View University

Grand View University is a private Christian liberal arts school in Des Moines, IA. It offers master's degrees to online learners in fields like business analytics, education, instructional design, and organizational leadership.

Tuition varies by program. The least expensive options are the MEd programs, which are $415 per credit, but the cost goes up to $625 per credit for the Master of Science (MS) in analytics. Online courses also carry a $32 per-credit course fee.

• Average in-state tuition: $520 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $520 per credit
• Financial aid: Grand View accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

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

Iowa doesn't have any tuition-free online colleges, but Iowa residents can enroll in online programs offered by schools in other states. Only a handful of U.S. colleges are tuition-free. Most of them, like Berea College and College of the Ozarks, serve on-campus undergraduate students. For online master's degrees, the main tuition-free option is University of the People.

University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit online university based in Pasadena, CA. It doesn't 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: a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Education (MEd) in advanced teaching, and a Master of Science (MS) in information technology. The assessment fee is $450 per course for the MBA and MS programs and $400 per course for the MEd. Since the MBA and MS each require 12 courses, students can expect to pay about $5,460 in total. The 13-course MEd costs about $5,260. Courses are fully online with no live lectures, and UoPeople uses free open educational resources, so students don't pay for textbooks. Students who can't afford the assessment fees can apply for scholarships.

• Assessment fees: $400-$450 per course
• Estimated total cost: $5,260-$5,460 per degree
• Financial aid: UoPeople offers scholarships to help cover assessment fees.
• 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 Iowa school offers tuition-free online master's degrees, we focused on accredited schools that keep graduate costs low through affordable per-credit rates, institutional aid, and tuition discounts. We considered the following factors:

• Accreditation: Every school on our list holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Accreditation means students can apply federal aid to their programs and that other schools and employers will widely recognize their credits.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compare each school's published per-credit graduate tuition for the current academic year. We also favor schools that accept FAFSA and offer institutional scholarships, grants, or discounts, like military tuition rates.
• Online availability: We include schools that offer master's degrees fully or primarily online, so working professionals across Iowa can earn a degree without relocating.
• Student outcomes: We review graduation rates, retention rates, and post-graduation earnings data to make sure each school offers strong value for the cost.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

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

There are no tuition-free online master's degrees in Iowa, but that doesn't mean a graduate degree has to be out of reach. Below are answers to common questions about cost, financial aid, and affordable options.

How Much Does an Online Master's Degree Cost in Iowa?

Among the schools on our list, 2026-27 graduate tuition ranges from $325 per credit for education programs at Buena Vista University and Clarke University to $685 per credit for initial licensure teaching programs at Morningside University. Most master's degrees require 30 to 36 credits. A 30-credit education degree at $325 per credit would cost $9,750 in tuition, while a 36-credit MBA at $665 per credit would cost about $23,940. Many schools also charge technology, online course, or graduation fees, so be sure to check the full cost of attendance.

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

Yes. As long as your program is offered by an accredited school that participates in federal aid programs and you're enrolled at least half-time, you can use federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. However, federal borrowing rules changed on July 1, 2026. Grad PLUS loans are no longer available to new borrowers, and graduate students 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 federal loans for their current program before July 1, 2026, may continue borrowing under the previous rules for a limited time. Part-time students may also receive reduced loan amounts.

Are There Tuition Discounts for Military Students?

Yes, several Iowa schools offer reduced graduate tuition for service members. Upper Iowa University charges active-duty military students $250 per credit for all of its master's degrees, and Grand View University offers a $100 per-credit discount for graduate students who are active military or spouses of active military members. Veterans and service members may also be able to use GI Bill benefits or military tuition assistance to cover some or all of their costs.

Is University of the People Accredited?

Yes. University of the People is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the same type of institutional accreditation held by most traditional U.S. universities. It was previously accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and ended that accreditation at the end of 2025 after earning WSCUC accreditation. If you plan to transfer credits or pursue a doctorate later, check with the receiving school about its credit policies.

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

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