Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Kansas 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're looking for a free master's degree online, it's important to understand that while tuition may be covered, fees often remain. True tuition-free online master's degrees are rare. However, several Kansas schools offer low-cost ways to earn a graduate degree. Keep reading to learn about your options.

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

While Kansas offers several low-cost online master's programs, there are no tuition-free online colleges. However, full-time and part-time students can significantly reduce costs through partial or full-tuition scholarships, assistantships, and grants.

If you're looking at schools outside of the state, tuition-free online master's degree programs are incredibly rare. The University of the People (UoPeople) is one of the few options. It charges no tuition, but students must still pay a one-time application fee and assessment fees for each course, which brings the total cost of a master's degree to roughly $5,000 to $6,000.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

Online master's degrees are more accessible than ever, especially for students who explore creative ways to fund their education. From military benefits to employer support, several strategies can help reduce or even eliminate tuition costs. Below are some key methods students can use to earn their degree affordably.

• Apply for scholarships and grants: Many universities and outside organizations offer scholarships and grants with various eligibility criteria, helping to reduce out-of-pocket expenses significantly.
• Use military education benefits: Active-duty service members, veterans, and their families may qualify for tuition assistance, GI Bill benefits, or military-specific scholarships to cover program costs.
• Choose an in-state or flat-rate tuition program: Attending a public school in your home state or selecting an online program with flat-rate tuition can offer major savings.
• Explore employer tuition assistance: Many employers offer tuition reimbursement or direct payments for employees pursuing advanced degrees that align with their job roles.
• Consider accelerated programs: Some online master's degrees offer accelerated formats, helping students graduate faster and save on overall tuition and living expenses.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

If you're looking for the cheapest online master's degrees, many options are available. Below, we'll discuss several Kansas schools offering affordable graduate degrees.

1. Newman University

Newman University is a private Catholic school offering flexible, fully online master's programs in education, theology, business administration, and more. Though these programs are designed for working adults, students can expect engagement similar to on-campus programs, with discussions held over Zoom.

With master's tuition ranging from $450 to $687 per credit hour, students can lower costs by selecting lower-priced programs and applying for institutional and federal financial aid.

• Average in-state tuition: $561 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $561 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Graduate students may qualify for institutional scholarships, as well as federal loans, grants, and outside aid. Contact Newman's financial aid office for current graduate awards.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a public institution known for its affordable, high-quality online graduate programs. It offers one of the largest selections of online graduate programs in Kansas, from liberal studies and English to healthcare and computer science.

Tuition is the same low rate for in-state and out-of-state students, and scholarship opportunities specifically for online learners can make a degree even more affordable.

• Average in-state tuition: $362.73 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $362.73 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for loans or other aid opportunities. Accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA often offer additional forms of aid. FHSU's Sunflower Start Scholarship automatically awards $1,000 to new graduate students who are Kansas residents and file the FAFSA. A $500 scholarship is also available to new, fully online out-of-state students with at least a 3.0 GPA.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Wichita State University

Wichita State University is a public research university offering affordable online master's programs in education, criminal justice, and health sciences. The university encourages students to meet with its financial aid team to explore funding options and reduce costs through assistantships, departmental awards, and scholarships.

• Average in-state tuition: $367.92 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $367.92 per credit hour
• Financial aid: More than 30% of full-time graduate students hold assistantships or departmental fellowships, which total more than $4 million each year. Individual departments also offer grants, scholarships, and awards.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Emporia State University

Emporia State University offers affordable, fully online master's programs in education, information technology, library science, and more. Several online programs, including the MBA and MS in Information Technology, charge a flat per-credit rate regardless of residency. Students can further reduce costs through assistantships, scholarships, and tuition reduction programs.

• Average in-state tuition: $286.44 per credit hour (flat-rate programs: $332 to $363 per credit hour)
• Average out-of-state tuition: $429.66 per credit hour (flat-rate programs: $332 to $363 per credit hour)
• Financial aid: Graduate students may qualify for tuition reduction programs, graduate assistantships, and institutional scholarships. These include a two-year McNair Scholarship worth $2,500 per year for former McNair Scholars, and a $500 New Graduate Student Scholarship for incoming students with strong undergraduate GPAs.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg State University offers more than 50 online degrees and certificates, including graduate programs in business, education, and more. Its online MBA concentrations include data science and information systems, healthcare administration, and accounting. All online students pay the in-state tuition rate, regardless of residency, and can further reduce costs through scholarships, assistantships, and federal financial aid.

• Average in-state tuition: $416 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $416 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students can qualify for federal student loans. Additional funding options include graduate assistantships and institutional scholarships.
• Accreditation: HLC

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

If no Kansas program fits your budget, you may want to look at national options. Fully tuition-free online master's programs are uncommon, and even schools that don't charge tuition usually have application, assessment, or technology fees. Still, these programs can cost a fraction of a traditional graduate degree.

University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit, accredited online university that doesn't charge tuition. It offers three master's degrees: a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Advanced Teaching, and a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT).

Instead of tuition, students pay a one-time $60 application fee and an assessment fee for each course they complete. The assessment fee is $490 per course for the MBA and MSIT and $440 per course for the M.Ed. That brings the total cost to about $5,940 for the MBA or MSIT and about $5,780 for the M.Ed.

Courses are fully online and asynchronous, so working adults can study on their own schedule. Students who can't afford the assessment fees can apply for scholarship support.

• Programs: MBA, M.Ed. in Advanced Teaching, MSIT
• Estimated total cost: About $5,780 to $5,940
• Financial aid: Scholarships are available to help cover assessment fees.
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commisson (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 school offers a completely free master's degree, we focus on programs that keep graduate education within reach through low per-credit tuition, residency-neutral online rates, or strong funding opportunities. We also prioritize Kansas schools that offer fully online master's programs, so students don't need to relocate or commute to campus. Each school is evaluated on the following factors:

• Accreditation: Every school on our list holds institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This ensures the degree is widely accepted by employers and that students can qualify for federal financial aid.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compare current per-credit graduate tuition for online students, noting whether out-of-state students pay the same rate. We also look at mandatory fees and at the scholarships, assistantships, and tuition reduction programs available to graduate students.
• Online availability: We favor schools that offer master's programs completely online across several fields of study, with flexible formats suited to working adults.
• Student outcomes: We review graduation rates, retention rates, and post-graduation earnings data to make sure affordable programs also give students a solid return on their investment.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

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

Earning a master's degree online in Kansas can be very affordable, but costs and funding options vary by school. Below are answers to some common questions about paying for an online graduate degree.

How Much Can I Borrow in Federal Loans for an Online Master's Degree?

Federal borrowing rules for graduate students changed on July 1, 2026. The Grad PLUS loan program, which once let students borrow up to the full cost of attendance, is no longer available to new borrowers.

New graduate students can now borrow up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with a $100,000 lifetime cap for graduate study. Part-time students may qualify for less. Because of these limits, low-tuition programs like the ones on this list can help students avoid relying on private loans.

Do Kansas Universities Charge Out-of-State Tuition for Online Master's Programs?

Often, no. Fort Hays State University, Wichita State University, and Pittsburg State University charge all online graduate students the same per-credit rate, regardless of where they live. Newman University, a private school, also charges one rate for everyone.

Emporia State University is the exception. Its flat-rate programs, such as the online MBA, charge the same price for all students, but other online graduate programs charge non-residents a higher rate.

Are There Costs Beyond Tuition for Online Master's Programs?

Yes. Many schools charge per-credit or per-semester fees on top of tuition. For example, Emporia State adds a distance education fee and a technology fee to most online courses. Pittsburg State's business college charges an extra per-credit fee.

Books, course materials, and application fees can also add up. When comparing programs, look at the total cost per credit hour, including fees, rather than tuition alone.

Can Online Students Receive Graduate Assistantships?

Sometimes, but options are more limited. Many assistantships involve teaching, research, or office work on campus, so they are typically awarded to students who live nearby. Some departments offer remote assistantships, though. Online students should ask their program directly about availability, since assistantships often include a tuition waiver and a stipend.

Can I Use the FAFSA for an Online Master's Degree in Kansas?

Yes. Online students at accredited institutions that participate in federal aid programs can file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for federal loans. Filing the FAFSA can also unlock school-based aid. For example, Fort Hays State automatically awards its Sunflower Start Scholarship to new Kansas graduate students who file the FAFSA.

Discover Affordable Online Master's Degrees

Whether you want to pursue a Master of Business Administration or a Master of Science, there are plenty of online graduate degrees. Explore affordable graduate-level programs for working professionals on Learn.org and contact individual schools directly to find information on enrollment and financial aid opportunities.