Tuition-Free Master's Degrees Online in Kentucky 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.

Many students want to pursue their education beyond a bachelor's degree, but sometimes, it can be difficult to find the time, especially for working professionals. Online programs provide flexibility so students can work at their own pace.

These programs are often less expensive than on-campus programs. They sometimes offer lower tuition rates and don't require students to commute or find a place to live near campus. Unfortunately, even though they can be less expensive, they're still too pricey for most students to pay out of pocket.

Choosing tuition-free online master's degrees can help lower costs, but these are very rare. Regardless, there are ways to lower tuition rates so that online learners don't need to take out student loans. Keep reading to learn about finding affordable and free master's degrees online in Kentucky.

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

Unfortunately, there aren't any completely free online colleges in Kentucky. However, there are many affordable schools in the state.

The only college that really offers tuition-free online master's degree programs is the University of the People. UoPeople is a nonprofit online college based in Pasadena, CA, that does not charge a tuition rate for its programs. Instead, it charges an assessment fee for each online course: $440 per course for the Master of Education and $490 per course for the MBA and Master of Science in Information Technology, plus a one-time $60 application fee. While this is still far more affordable than a traditional degree, it's still not totally free.

Students in Kentucky could reduce or completely cover their costs with financial aid. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to see what they're eligible for. Kentucky has several accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA.

How To Make Your Online Master's Degree Affordable

With the right strategies, you may be able to significantly reduce, or even fully cover, the cost of an online master's degree. Some ways to lower your costs include:

• Choose an affordable school for your program: Some schools charge different rates for different programs, so check what school offers the lowest rate for your intended degree.
• Fill out the FAFSA: The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal aid, as well as some need-based state and institutional aid programs.
• Pursue institutional aid: Many colleges offer financial aid, including full-tuition scholarships, to help graduate students cover their costs.
• Apply for private aid: You can find scholarships and other funding options through numerous private organizations.
• Take advantage of military and employer aid: If you are a military service member or veteran, you may qualify for education benefits that cover much or all of your tuition. Additionally, many employers offer tuition assistance programs to their employees.

Low-Cost Online Master's Programs

As we mentioned above, one of the best ways to keep your costs low is to choose one of the most affordable online master's degrees. We've featured some low-cost programs in Kentucky below.

1. Midway University

Midway University is a private Christian school in Midway, KY. It offers online master's degrees in fields like business administration, education, and nursing, with MBA concentrations in areas such as healthcare administration and management information systems.

The tuition rate at Midway varies by program. The online Master of Education (MEd) degrees cost just $295 per credit hour, and most of the other programs come in at $485 per credit hour.

• Average in-state tuition: $390 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $390 per credit
• Financial aid: Midway accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Campbellsville University

At Campbellsville University, students can choose from more than 30 online graduate degrees. Areas of study include computer science, data science and artificial intelligence, social work, and special education.

This private Christian school is located in Campbellsville, KY. It charges different tuition rates based on the program, with costs ranging from $319 per credit for education programs to $640 per credit for the Master of Social Work.

• Average in-state tuition: $479.50 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $479.50 per credit
• Financial aid: Campbellsville offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. University of the Cumberlands

University of the Cumberlands offers more than two dozen master's degrees online. The private Christian institution is located in Williamsburg, KY.

Online master's degrees are available in fields like business analytics, computer science, education, and healthcare administration. Most online master's programs, including the Master of Business Administration (MBA), cost $355 per credit, and education master's programs are just $315 per credit. Tuition tops out at $539 per credit for the Family Nurse Practitioner program. Digital textbooks are included in the cost of tuition.

• Average in-state tuition: $355 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $355 per credit
• Financial aid: University of the Cumberlands offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Union Commonwealth University

A handful of online master's degrees are available through Union Commonwealth University. Areas of study include business administration, digital marketing, human resource management, and information systems management.

Union, located in Barbourville, KY, is a private Christian school. It charges a flat rate of $370 per credit hour for all online graduate degree programs.

• Average in-state tuition: $370 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $370 per credit
• Financial aid: Union accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Morehead State University

Morehead State University is a public institution in Morehead, KY. It offers nearly 20 online master's degree programs in business, education, health sciences, and social sciences.

Kentucky residents earning degrees in education pay $405 per credit hour. All other students and programs have a tuition rate of $570 per credit hour, regardless of major or where the student lives.

• Average in-state tuition: $405–$570 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $570 per credit
• Financial aid: MSU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Eastern Kentucky University

Students at Eastern Kentucky University will find more than a dozen advanced degrees online. Areas of study include business administration, education, nursing, and psychology.

This public university is located in Richmond, KY. Tuition varies based on the program, ranging from $437 per credit for most education programs to $733 per credit for business administration, psychology, and nursing programs.

• Average in-state tuition: $585 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $585 per credit
• Financial aid: EKU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University offers several online degree programs at the master's level. NKU is a public university in Highland Heights, KY.

Fields of study for online learning include business informatics, cybersecurity, social work, and teaching. Tuition starts at $422 per credit for education and teaching programs. The MBA is $520 per credit, and the cybersecurity program is $530 per credit. Social work tops the range at $655 per credit.

• Average in-state tuition: $538.50 per credit
• Average out-of-state tuition: $538.50 per credit
• Financial aid: NKU offers institutional aid, accepts FAFSA, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

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

None of the schools based in Kentucky offer truly tuition-free master's degrees. However, students in Kentucky can enroll in tuition-free online programs offered by schools in other states. These schools don't charge traditional tuition, but they do charge smaller fees that students should plan for.

University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is a nonprofit, tuition-free online university based in Pasadena, CA. It offers three graduate programs: a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT), and a Master of Education (MEd) in Advanced Teaching. All courses are fully online and asynchronous, so working professionals can study on their own schedules.

Instead of tuition, UoPeople charges an assessment fee for each course. The current rate is $490 per course for the MBA and MSIT and $440 per course for the MEd, plus a one-time $60 application fee. Students who complete a full program can expect to pay roughly $5,800 to $6,000 in total fees, far less than most traditional master's degrees.

UoPeople is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the same regional accreditor that oversees many major universities in California. Note that UoPeople does not participate in federal student aid programs, so students cannot use the FAFSA to cover its fees. The school does offer its own scholarships to help students cover assessment fees.

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.

For this ranking of affordable online master's degrees in Kentucky, we focused on accredited colleges and universities located in Kentucky that offer fully online graduate programs at low per-credit rates. Because no Kentucky school offers a tuition-free master's degree, we prioritized schools that keep graduate tuition low and give students multiple ways to reduce costs further. We evaluated each school on the following factors:

• Accreditation: Every school on our list is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This ensures students are eligible for federal financial aid and that their degrees are recognized by employers and other institutions.
• Affordability and financial aid: We compared per-credit tuition rates for online master's programs and gave preference to schools that charge the same rate to in-state and out-of-state students. We also considered whether schools accept FAFSA and offer institutional aid, such as scholarships or discounts for teachers and military members.
• Online availability: We included schools that offer complete master's degrees online, not just individual courses. Schools with a wider range of online graduate programs and flexible formats, such as 8-week courses and multiple start dates, ranked higher.
• Student outcomes: We reviewed graduation rates, student debt levels, and post-graduation earnings where available, to make sure affordable programs also deliver real value.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions about earning an affordable online master's degree in Kentucky? We've answered some common ones below.

How Do the 2026 Federal Student Loan Changes Affect Online Master's Students?

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the federal Grad PLUS Loan program ended for new borrowers on July 1, 2026. Graduate students who begin borrowing on or after that date can take out up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with a lifetime limit of $100,000 for graduate study. Students who already had federal loans for their current program before July 1, 2026, may be grandfathered under the old rules. Because federal borrowing is now more limited, choosing a low-cost program and applying for scholarships is more important than ever.

Do Out-of-State Students Pay More for Online Master's Degrees in Kentucky?

Usually not. Every school on our list charges online graduate students the same per-credit rate whether they live in Kentucky or another state. The main exception is Morehead State University, which offers a discounted rate on graduate education courses for Kentucky residents.

Are There Graduate Tuition Discounts for Kentucky Teachers?

Yes. Several public universities offer reduced graduate tuition for educators. Morehead State charges Kentucky residents in its graduate education courses $405 per credit hour instead of its standard $570 rate. Eastern Kentucky University offers active Kentucky teachers a discounted rate of $437 per credit hour for eligible graduate education programs.

What Fees Should I Expect Beyond Tuition?

Many online programs charge fees in addition to tuition. Campbellsville University charges graduate students a $75 technology fee for each 8-week term. Morehead State adds a $20 internet course fee per credit hour. Eastern Kentucky University charges a special use fee of $16.67 per credit hour and an asset preservation fee of $10 per credit hour, each capped at $150 per semester. University of the Cumberlands is a notable exception: its tuition rate includes digital textbooks and most fees.

Can I Use the FAFSA at University of the People?

No. University of the People does not participate in federal student aid programs, so FAFSA aid can't be applied to its assessment fees. Since its programs cost far less than traditional master's degrees, many students pay out of pocket or apply for one of UoPeople's own scholarships.

Find an Affordable Online Master's Degree

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